![]() Leave at least 1/4 inch between a wall and a parallel deck board.When installing boards perpendicular to a wall, a half-inch gap at installation will avoid bowing in extreme heat.Dark colors will undergo larger temperature swings upon installation (which is why a lot of designers recommend darker boards as accents, such as edge boards and fascia).Boards that haven’t been installed should be kept out of the direct sun.Here are a few other things to consider that should help mitigate any potential issues arising from the expansion and contraction of composite decking: However, the differences are subtle - a gap about 1/4 inch when installing in temperatures 35 F or lower and around 1/32 inch at 110 F or higher. Generally speaking, the colder the temperature when installed, the larger the end-to-end spacing. Think Tall, Not WideĬomposite decking is far more likely to expand in length rather than width, making end-to-end spacing much more critical.Īny reputable manufacturer should have installation recommendations, and those should be based on the temperature at the time of installation. That can be easily accomplished in an aesthetically pleasing manner by using hidden clips specifically designed to fasten your composite product, which will provide automatic and consistent spacing. A slight gap is desirable for drainage, which will keep the deck cleaner, safer and less liable to develop moisture-related structural issues. The space between parallel boards, or side-to-side spacing, is rarely a concern. That’s why composite decks are best installed in the morning when cutting and fastening are easier. Usually, the hotter the temperature, the greater the expansion and pliability of the boards. How much does composite decking expand and contract? The answer to that question depends on the climate in which it is installed. Accounting for such movements makes for easier installation, better aesthetics and safer decks. ![]() Knowing that composite boards expand and contract is important. ![]() Does composite decking expand and contract? Yes, but not as much as or in the direction of wood. 2 pencil as a spacer in areas that get more rain to allow for expansion.Ĭomposite decking is a bit different. Veteran wooden deck builders might install parallel boards with no gaps in dry climates, knowing they’re destined to contract, or use a 16-penny nail or No. Thus, wood decking planks contract as they dry, not as much lengthwise as side-to-side, and expand in moist or humid conditions (though never quite to the original dimensions of “fresh” lumber). Wood fibers were made to carry water, bulging when laden with moisture and shrinking as they dry. This is no surprise when it comes to wood. When building a deck, one of the many things to keep in mind is making allowances for the expansion and contraction of the decking material. ![]()
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