How to Install Trek Decking
Trek decking is a composite decking made mostly of plastic that is molded into deck boards. This type of decking requires no painting, staining, or maintenance. Because it is made of plastic instead of wood, the installation techniques are substantially different. One aspect of Trek decking is that it expands and contracts with the temperature. For this reason, installation should be performed during average temperature days for a given region; avoid very hot or cold days. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Brad nail gun
- 2 1/2 inch brad nail gun nails
- PL400 construction adhesive
- Two deck board spacers
- Trek board end caps
Instructions
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1
Start on the outside edge of the deck. Measure across the floor joists of the deck with your tape measure. Add 1 1/2 inches to this measurement. This will be the length of the deck boards.
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2
Cut a deck board the measurement from Step 1 plus 1 1/2 inches. Lay the deck board against the outside posts so that each side of the deck board over hangs the side of the deck by 3/4 inches. Mark where the posts are and measure the distance from the front of the deck framing to the edge of your deck board against the posts. This measurement plus 3/4 inches is what you will have to notch out so that the deck board will slide into place.
Notch the deck board with a jig saw. Lay down a bead of PL400 adhesive along the framing that the deck board will touch. Set the board in place and nail down the board with your brad nail gun shooting two 2 1/2-inch brad nails through the face of the deck board and into the framing.
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3
Cut another deck board the same length as the deck board from Step 2. Unless you have an odd shaped deck, all of your deck boards should be the same length. Lay down a bead of PL400 on the deck framing. Place a deck board spacer on each end of the deck board that is already installed. You will have a choice between a 1/4 inch gap and a 3/8 inch gap. Set the board onto the deck making sure that the overhang is 3/4 inches and lines up properly with the other deck board. Push it tight to the spacers and nail the ends. Move the spacers towards the middle, push the deck board tight against the spacers and nail the deck board again. Finish nailing the deck board in place with two 2 1/2-inch brad nails.
Repeat this process for the rest of the deck boards.
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4
Install the end caps of the Trek deck. Because the Trek deck has a hollow core, the caps give the deck boards a finished look. The caps simply snap into place by pressing them onto the ends. For the deck board that had to be notched around the railing posts, cut the end caps the desired size and place a small dab of PL400 on the end of the remaining clips. Shoot a brad nail into the end cap to hold it to the railing post while the glue drys.
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Tips & Warnings
For any splices in deck boards, cut the deck board edges that meet at 22 1/2 degree angles. This will lock the deck boards together when they are nailed.
Always make sure that there is flashing against the house that projects at least 4 inches from the side of the house to prevent water from backing up against the house.
