Why gaps in decking

Leaving spaces in-between the gaps can also provide drainage, which reduces the instances of water pooling on your patio. With excellent drainage, you can also reduce the risk of moisture damage and mould and mildew growth. On the other hand, if you leave spaces that are too wide, it can potentially cause accidents.

People and pets can trip over the deck. Too wide gaps can also look unsightly. When gaps are bigger, there is more airflow. Too much airflow can make the patio more susceptible to fire. Having too wide gaps can potentially affect the frame of the deck as well. Overall, decking board spacing can affect the lifespan of your deck and the safety of the people around you. As such, you'll need to put the proper space in-between the decking boards.

Wider gaps give better drainage but can be a safety hazard, either by tripping or fire. On the other hand, narrow gaps can catch dirt, which makes the deck susceptible to moulds and mildew.

Likewise, you'll also need to put spaces in between the ends of the boards. When working with composites and wood, always make sure that they are dry first before installing them. When working with wood, you'll also need to install the bark side up to minimize the cupping. If you are still unsure, it's best to read the manuals supplied to you with the materials. Alternatively, you can ask the manufacturers for advice. They can offer you more details and more detailed instructions on how to install the fence properly.

Remember, deck spacing is crucial. During more humid seasons, like summer, decking will soak up more moisture, causing the boards to expand. During the winter, when the humidity is significantly lower, the wood will dry out and reduce in size.

You might have noticed this quality if you live in an older home that has solid wood doors. A door that might work just fine in the winter may in the summer swell and not close properly in its door frame. Likewise, if installing in the winter, you might need that quarter-inch gap to account for the wood swelling come summertime. These seasonal effects on your deck are dependent on where you live.

Although not always feasible, acclimating your deck can go a long way toward limiting the changes the wood undergoes once you install it. Most of us will purchase our wood from a big box hardware store where it has been stored in a climate-controlled area. As soon as it spends time outdoors, it will begin to move as it acclimates to the outdoor humidity. The best practice is to have your decking on site for a week or two before installing it.

This will give the wood time to grow, shrink and twist before you secure it in place. The types of fasteners you choose can also affect deck spacing. 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. Fasteners are what hold boards in place, resisting their efforts to bend and move as the humidity changes. Make sure you are using enough fasteners to make your decking stay put.

With this in mind, consider using screws over nails. 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. The initial moisture level is also important to consider. Treated decking, for example, can have a high moisture content when purchased, especially if it was recently treated.

Wet wood takes time to season. Over months, treated wood will dry out and contract. You need to take this into account when determining your spacing. Finally, wood species can also impact spacing. Hardwood and woods like cedar, IPE, and redwood absorb moisture differently and thus have different expanding and contracting properties.

Make sure to consider the properties of the wood you are using when considering what size gap to use. While the gap in your deck boards may seem like a small step in a deck project, the gap size you choose serves a significant purpose. Decking board spacing provides airflow through your deck, allowing evaporating air to escape. Spacing is also important for drainage. The gaps allow rain and snow to drain through rather than a puddle on your deck, resulting in an unsafe walking surface, and the growth of mold and mildew.

Depending on where your deck is, you may also have a fair amount of debris raining down on it. Gaps in your deck allow this debris to fall through to the ground. Gaps that are too small will trap debris, creating an environment for rot.

Gaps between your deck boards also allow for expanding and contracting. Without gaps, the boards have nowhere to go when they expand, causing them to buckle and crack. This can even cause damage to the joists they are attached to. Gaps that are too large are unsightly, cause tripping hazards and make your deck more susceptible to fire. Before deciding on how much space to leave between deck boards, check with your local building code to see if it covers deck board spacing.

Both sizes have their pros and cons. The eighth-inch spacing provides for a safer surface for walking. To utilize the space below, had a shed build for outdoor equipment etc. Have continual problems with water draining into the shed. Not a super big problem but irritating. No problems with water getting into the shed then. Wondering if there is a product to place between the deck boards to close these gaps?

Also wondering about products to place on top of the deck boards that are waterproof for the shed below. Can you put marine board over top of original. Hi, Brenda! We would need more information, please. Are you saying you want to completely cover the deck with marine board? And how did you plan to install it? Also, is the deck flat, or are there railings or stairs in addition to the platform? Thanks for your question. I installed my pressure treated boards slightly touching.

In the winter they stay closed up about all the time. Any ideas? When it rains, you want a gap. When it rains, the deck boards swell. When it rains, the boards will not drain.