The Saw Guide easily attaches to any circular saw and makes it easy to make a precise, even cut down the length of the deck board. After adjusting the blade depth so it won’t damage the floor joists below, lower the saw blade in between the decking and make sure the front and back guide fins are in the groove. To widen the gap between the deck boards, run the saw forward lightly touching one side, and then check for clearance.
I’m hoping to get a few more years on my pressure treated deck before replacing the boards. A good number of the boards were either nailed very close or have expanded so that water doesn’t drain between them very well.
I wish we’d done this earlier because it’s actually really easy to widen deck boards gaps – I thought we’d have to do major work to fix tight deck boards. How to Widen Deck Board Gaps: Clean the deck crevices of debris, using a broom or leaf blower. Fingers crossed I can take a nice long vacation from deck staining now that we figured out how to widen the deck boards.
circular saw guide deck boards Related Question:
Can I build a deck with a circular saw?
A circular saw is often used for most cuts, making it the best saw for deck building. Get one that cuts reliably, and equip it with a sharp carbide-tipped blade.
How do you cut gaps between deck boards?
To widen the gap between the deck boards run the saw forward lightly touching one side, then check for clearance. If the space is still too narrow, make a second pass on the other side. You may have to make several passes using the same process to widen the space between the deck boards for desired spacing.
How much overhang should deck boards have?
The edge of decking should never overhang more than one-third of the decking material. For your standard 5.5” decking, that is 1 ¾” overhang.
How do you finish the edge of a deck?
There are lots of brilliant deck edging ideas to finish off your deck ideas. Try adding a patterned border, lighting panels, low-growing plants in beds to soften edges or built in seating.
Can you use a Mitre saw to cut decking?
For exterior work, such as putting together garden decking, a mitre saw’s precise cutting action is ideal for areas that require intense accuracy. Mitre cuts are necessary for the corners of most decking.
What happens if you don’t space deck boards?
Without the right deck spacing, the boards may expand, cup, and buckle out of place. As a result, you may have to replace broken decking, or reinstall the boards with wider spacing to prevent further cupping and buckling, which can be time consuming and expensive.
Can you put deck boards tight together?
Rot – Deck boards that are spaced too tightly together are more likely to trap dirt, debris and moisture, which is the perfect mixture for making rot. Water Drainage – Adequate gaps are needed for water drainage. Without it rot is more likely, mold can build up easily and slick boards can become hazardous.
Should there be a gap between deck boards?
When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you’re using decking that’s already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn’t been dried down or kiln dried.
Can I just replace deck boards?
If your existing deck is old, shabby and a maintenance nightmare, you don’t have to tear it all down and start over. Chances are that the structural parts are still in good shape. If so, you can simply remodel it with new decking, rails and stairs, and save tons of money over the cost of a complete rebuild.
Should deck boards be flush or overhang?
Building practices say deck board overhang is better than flush. The overhang helps your deck look stunning and last longer. Both the stair nosing and deck boards overhang to protect the substructure. The overhang also protects the decking, especially if it’s wood.
How far can a deck board overhang a joist?
The American Wood Council states that cantilevers are limited to 1/4 the span of the joists. Joist Spacing (o.c.) Maximum allowable overhang cannot exceed 1/4 of the actual main span.
Should you use screws or nails for a deck?
Screws are superior for laying down the decking. They hold things flush better and have a better fastener/tensile strength, which keeps boards from popping up over time. However, unless you use more expensive structural screws you need to use nails for structural elements and joists.
Should deck boards overhang fascia?
A one to two inch overhang beyond the outer fascia board is sufficient. This means the installed deck boards should have at least 1.75 to 2.75” overhang before the fascia is installed.
What do you use for fascia on a deck?
If you choose to add fascia, any kind of pressure-treated or otherwise rot-resistant lumber can be used. However, if you’ve opted for synthetic decking in one of the many colors available, you’ll want to consider using a complementary PVC fascia. PVC fascia typically comes in 1/2-in.
How does bullnose fit in Dino decking?
The bullnose is installed using the 3mm or 6mm fasteners and sits flush with the decking boards. The corner trim has a slight lip and sits slightly on the decking and is installed by pre-drilling and screwing through or for a flawless finish you can use an outdoor adhesive.
