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Be sure to complete this
checklist:
- Material stored out of direct
sun and weather
- Material allowed to equalize at
site
- pacing @ 3/16” for 4” and ¼”
for 6” boards
- T&G Porch flooring in covered
areas only
- dequate cross ventilation under
deck
- Span of 16” max for 1x4 and 1x6
- Span of 24” max for 5/4x4 and
5/4x6
- Stainless Steel Fasteners
- Pre-drilling required
- Seal end cuts with Anchorseal
wax
- Use oil based finish on all 4
sides
Storage and Handling
For best results, Kiln Dried Hardwoods
should be kept out of direct sunlight and not
exposed to weather before installation. Although
Brazilian Redwood, Cambara, Cumaru, Angelim
Pedra & Tigerwood
are kiln dried, they will need a few weeks to
equalize to the ambient moisture content.
Once a deck package is delivered
to the jobsite, most of the equalization has
already occurred. Keep the material off the
ground by placing a few pieces of lumber
underneath the deck package.
Material Application
Spacing: 4” wide decking should be installed
with a 3/16” space between boards, while 6” wide
boards will need 1/4'” space between the boards.
This space will allow for air circulation, allow
room for expansion and provide for the proper
spacing as boards become fully seasoned.
Approximate shrinkage and/or swelling is 3/16”
on 4” decking and ¼” on 6” decking.
There is almost no shrinkage or
expansion on Kiln Dried Hardwoods lengthwise, so
trimmed ends can be butted together tightly.
Span: You must consult
local building codes to be sure you are
following local regulations. Generally, 1x4 and
1x6 decking can be installed with joists 16” on
center. 5/4x4 and 5/4x6 boards can be installed
24” on center. When installing on an angle,
joist spacing should be 12” on center. Consult
local building codes.
Ground-side Ventilation:
Build your deck so that the surface is at least
16” above the ground. There must be adequate air
circulation underneath the deck in order to
prevent cupping/warping of boards. An open
lattice type fascia is best if the deck is close
to the ground. In wet areas or over water,
additional clearance is recommended. In close to
ground applications a vapor barrier may be
necessary to prevent moisture from absorbing
into the underside of the deck boards.
Required Equipment
Carbide tipped saw blades and high quality
drill and drill bits are recommended to cut most
Hardwoods. Ripping can be done on a standard
table saw, using a well-aligned fence.
Routing or planeing can be done
with both high speed steel or carbide cutters.
Feed speed should be fairly slow. Sanding is
recommended to complete your project.
Safety Concerns: Safety
glasses and a dust mask should always be worn
when working with hardwood lumber. Some people
may have an allergic reaction to hardwood dust.
Remove wood slivers immediately to prevent
infection.
Fasteners: Strongly
recommend using stainless steel screws through
the face of every board Non-stainless steel
fasteners may cause discoloration near the
screw. Pre-drill a pilot hole ¾” from the end of
the board and 3/4'” in from the sides of the
board and counter-sink them. Use two screws per
board at the suggested span spacing. Use a
positive stop so all screw heads end up at a
consistent depth. Be sure not to let the
fastener sink too deep into the wood. The
counter-sunk screws should penetrate 1-1/2” or
more into the deck joists. Fasteners may be
lubricated for easier assembly.
Face screwing down into the
joist is the only method of installation we
recommend. Plugs ¼”x3/8”may be used to hide #10
bugle head fasteners.
End Sealer: Apply Redwood
Empire’s “Anchorseal”; an aqueous wax to the
ends of the boards immediately after a cut is
made. This will insure board stability; prevent
cupping and severe end checking.
Finishing
Options
In order to help prevent surface checking,
cupping and discoloration, we recommend all Kiln
Dried Hardwood decking be finished on all four
sides, prior to or immediately after
installation. Especially in dry, sunny
conditions, finishing should be done prior to
exposure to weather. Finishing Kiln Dried
Hardwood on the underside of your deck will
reduce potential cupping by inhibiting moisture
from absorbing into the wood.
if a natural silver color is
desired, finishing can be done with a water seal
product such as Seasonite from Flood. Apply as
soon as possible during or after installation of
the deck. For best results, apply the treatment
according to the manufacturer’s directions.
To maintain the reddish-brown
color, a high quality penetrating oil finish
with UV inhibitors should be used. Two coats
should be applied during installation. Reapply
as necessary to maintain desired look.
The natural density and alkaline
content of Kiln Dried Hardwoods can cause a
reaction with certain finishes affecting their
drying and adhesion. A color change may occur. A
test on some sample pieces is suggested to
insure desired results.
Kiln Dried Hardwood decking can
also be pressure washed, but you must be careful
not to damage the surface fibers by setting the
pressure too high. Pressure washing may be
necessary between oil treatments in order to
remove surface discoloration.
Porch Flooring
It is recommended that all T& G exterior
applications be in a covered environment and be
installed with a pitch to allow for proper
drainage. Please refer to local building codes
for specifics on pitch requirements. Material
should be finished on all six sides before
application to prevent moisture from collecting
on the underside of the project. T&G products do
not allow the spacing for ventilation and
drainage of S4S products, which is why only
covered installations are recommended. Fastening
should be done with stainless steel fasteners,
preferably ring shank or barbed.
Download a print version of these
guidelines.
Disclaimer: Our
tropical decking products are carefully
manufactured and inspected to ensure quality.
However, these products are natural wood
products and as such are subject to variations
in weight, density, color, grain and
performance. Wood decking is subject to
dimensional changes as the moisture content in
the wood changes with humidity in the air.
Swelling, shrinkage, checking and other movement
of individual pieces are normal occurrences in
wood decking. Sizes, pricing and specifications
are subject to change without notice. Local
building codes must be consulted when building
an exterior deck. Most counties require building
permits.
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