Fitting Pre-Treated Decking Boards

Treated softwood decking should be surface dry and laid with no less than a 6mm gap between boards (this allows for seasonal shrinkage or swelling). Maintain this gap when fitting boards around newel posts for a neat finish whilst still allowing water 'run off'.

It is advisable to loosely lay treated softwood decking components, ie. in particular deck boards, out on the finished sub frame prior to securing them. The longer they are left to become surface dry the less the effects of shrinkage will be apparent after fixing them. The timber can also be cut and sanded more easily when dry. Note: If the boards are allowed to fully dry out prior to fitting, the gap between boards should be increased to 9mm to allow subsequent expansion in the wetter seasons.

Pre Drilling Pilot Holes in Decking

Pre Drilling Pilot Holes in Decking

Cutting Deck Boards to the Desired Length

Cutting Deck Boards to the Desired Length

Staggered deck board joints

Staggered Deck Board Joints