Wood Decking
Grades | Grade
| Description
|
 | WRCLA Architect Clear The ultimate in durability and appearance. Its fine grained appearance will meet the needs of the most demanding clients. All aspects of manufacturing and quality control are performed to the highest standards of the lumber industry. Architect Clear decking should be specified when only the best will suffice. This exclusive product is usually manufactured to individual order. Available seasoned or unseasoned. |
 | WRCLA Custom Clear A quality product that combines the stability and durability of Western Red Cedar with a sophisticated clear appearance that will please the most discriminating taste. Its finely machined surface shows limited characteristics which do not detract from its natural good looks. Custom Clear decking can be used directly on the job and is a natural for custom residences and other applications where fine woodwork is desired. Available seasoned or unseasoned. |
 | WRCLA Architect Knotty Rustic charm at its best. Durable, well manufactured Western Red Cedar decking that comes ready to use. This sound and tight knotted decking limits both the size and quality of characteristics to meet the highest buyer expectations. The smooth, skip-free dressing over the entire face makes it the ideal deck surface. The top choice where the natural beauty and lasting charm of a knotty deck are desired. Available seasoned or unseasoned. |
 | WRCLA Custom Knotty Widely used by homeowners and builders, this category of knotty decking combines the high manufacturing standards required for deckboards with a hole-free knotty appearance. This category limits the size and quality of characteristics to provide an economical and enjoyable knotty deck. Custom Knotty decking may be applied as received and is a natural choice for home deck builders, residential builders and commercial applications where a durable knotty material is desired. Available unseasoned only. |
Sizes
Check with your local building authority about what span is required in your area.
Common Sizes - Deck Boards | Thickness (in.) | Width (in.) |
| Nominal (inches) | Nominal (mm) | Actual (inches) | Actual (mm) | Nominal (inches) | Nominal (mm) | Actual (inches) | Actual (mm) |
| Rough (Undressed) |
| 5/4 | 32 | 1-1/32 | 26 | 4 | 102 | 3-9/16 | 90 |
| 2 | 51 | 1-9/16 | 40 | 6 | 152 | 5-9/16 | 141 |
Fasteners
Nails
Hot-dipped galvanized, aluminum and stainless steel nails are all corrosion-resistant and all can be used to nail Western Red Cedar. Other types of nails, such as electroplated, are not recommended. They can rust and disintegrate and react adversely with the natural preservative oils present in cedar, resulting in stains and streaks. Copper nails also react with cedar and should not be used.Stainless steel is the best choice but hot-dipped galvanized is the most widely used and economical.
Use 3" (10d) nails to fasten decking with a nominal thickness of 2" (51mm) and 2½" (64mm), (8d) nails on decking with nominal thickness of 1¼" (32mm). This will allow for nail penetration of approximately 1½" (38mm) into deck joists for secure, trouble free construction (length may be reduced by 1/4" (6mm) if ring or spiral shank nails are used). Deck boards 2" (51mm) wide need one nail per joist while 4" (102mm) and wider decking requires two per joist. To prevent wood from splitting, use thin shanked nails with blunt points.
Screws
Screws can also be used to fasten decks. Double hot-dipped galvanized screws can be used, however, stainless steel screws are recommended. For most applications a 304 (18-8) grade provides adequate corrosion resistance. For decks exposed to salt air, use 316 grade. Screws must be long enough to penetrate 1". (25mm) into support members. Penetration of 1½" (38mm) is required for structural components.
Blind Fastening Systems
These systems create a fastener-free deck surface. They employ metal clips and/or joist top brackets that fasten the sides or bottom of the deck board to the joists so that no fasteners are visible.
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