![]() The initial moisture level is also important to consider. Screws have threads that bite into the wood, making them much more likely to hold boards in place when they begin to expand and contract than nails, which can pull out more easily. With this in mind, consider using screws over nails. Make sure you are using enough fasteners to make your decking stay put. Fasteners are what hold boards in place, resisting their efforts to bend and move as the humidity changes. You’ll also want to take into account the type and intervals of your fasteners. If you are planning on using one of these systems, check to make sure the one you choose offers the spacing you want before committing to it. While your standards nails or deck screws won’t affect spacing, fasteners for hidden screw systems like Camo or Kreg Jig will have set spacing with their installation tools that may not be able to be adjusted. The types of fasteners you choose can also affect deck spacing. If you can acclimate your wood, cover it and make sure it is not sitting directly on the ground, so it doesn’t soak up rain or groundwater. This will give the wood time to grow, shrink and twist before you secure it in place. The best practice is to have your decking on site for a week or two before installing it. Most of us will purchase our wood from a big box hardware store where it has been stored in a climate-controlled area.Īs soon as it spends time outdoors, it will begin to move as it acclimates to the outdoor humidity. However, if you make your home in say Denver, Colorado, where humidity stays consistently dry throughout the year, you don’t need to worry about how humidity will affect your boards.Īlthough not always feasible, acclimating your deck can go a long way toward limiting the changes the wood undergoes once you install it. If you live in an area that sees wide changes in humidity, you’ll need to pay attention to these factors. These seasonal effects on your deck are dependent on where you live. Likewise, if installing in the winter, you might need that quarter-inch gap to account for the wood swelling come summertime. With this in mind, if you’re installing decking in the summer, you could install it with a minimal gap, knowing that in the winter, the wood will shrink, creating a larger gap. ![]() A door that might work just fine in the winter may in the summer swell and not close properly in its door frame. You might have noticed this quality if you live in an older home that has solid wood doors. During more humid seasons, like summer, decking will soak up more moisture, causing the boards to expand.ĭuring the winter, when the humidity is significantly lower, the wood will dry out and reduce in size. The less moisture, the more the wood will contract.īecause decks are outside, they are continuously exposed to changing humidity. The more moisture present in those fibers, the more they will expand, making the wood bigger. When considering deck spacing, it’s important to remember that wood is made up of fibers that are capable of retaining moisture. How Do You Widen Space Between Deck Boards?.What if Space Between Decking Boards is Too Wide?.JIG-A-DECK Deck Spacer & Fastener Alignment Guide. ![]()
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