Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Decking

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Decks
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 03 Jun 2001
Time: 08:36 PM

Comments

Assuming the wood is 6" wide (and not 5-1/2"), then 211 lin. ft. equates to roughly 105 sq ft., giving you a 5% margin for scrap -- which is about right. However, in your case, you plan to lay the wood at a 45-degree angle. This means you'll lose roughly 6" off each end to allow for the angle cut, for a total of 1 foot per 6" plank. We estimate that you'll have the equivalent of 36 pieces running diagonally (since 36 * 6" * 1.414) = 25', which is the length of your deck. The 1.414 is the multiplier on the diagonal of the cut based on a 45-degree angle.

Therefore, you'll need at least 36 additional feet of wood to account for scrap on each end. Assuming your total square footage is 385, multiplying this by 211 lin. ft. per 100 square feet plus the additional 36 feet for the diagonal scrap, you'll need at least 850 lin. ft. of wood. Of course, if you plan to have a perimeter band, you'll need to account for that as well. Also, depending on the length of each piece of wood, you may have to make adjustments so you don't end up with a lot of short pieces that aren't properly supported underneath.

We recommend that you separate each piece by the width of a nail shank (such as a 10d or 12d nail). Let the wood adjust to the moisture conditions prior to installing it. A moisture meter is the best way to determine how seasoned the wood is. But if you don't have one and if this is going outdoors, give it time to adjust, protecting it from excessive moisture or rain. Install it after the wood has acclimated. In either case, as the wood gets wet, it will swell...and it will shrink as it dries.

Protecting the cut ends and top and bottom with a stain or natural sealer will help protect it from the elements.

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