Installation Guidelines

Installation Instructions

The following videos will assist you in building your ChoiceDek outdoor living space.

This is general installation information. For detailed installation instructions, download the ChoiceDek® installation guidelines in English (PDF).

As with any building project, use proper eye, ear, and breathing protection. Always follow local codes.

Tools

The tools you need are:

  • a hammer
  • a circular saw (carbide tipped with fewer than 20 teeth is the best)
  • a level
  • a tape measure
  • a rasp
  • a chalk line

Fasteners

To fasten the deck, use 2-1/4 #7 stainless steel trim head screws to minimize the chance of metal corrosion or stain. It is very important that you not use lower quality nails or screws as they can rust, which will leave marks or stains on the new deck.

Precautions

Make sure your joists are level and spaced 16" on-center. This span length is important when using ChoiceDek® decking. When installing at an angle, span joists 12" on-center to maintain the proper strength and support necessary. In cold weather installations (below freezing), spacing should be increased to 1/4" for butt joints. This allows for thermal expansion when temperatures return to normal. Follow installation guidelines.

Installation

Easy to install, ChoiceDek® decking can be laid quickly. Patterns are easy to create, and ChoiceDek® boards don't have grain, so they won't split.

  1. Position the boards in place and fasten. ChoiceDek® boards should be affixed to the joists at two points on each joist. Gap the boards 1/4" to allow for the minimal expansion that might occur, as well as to provide proper drainage off the deck.
  2. Once the boards are in place, adjust the blade depth of your saw to match the thickness of your deck. Use the chalk line to mark your cut (use white chalk).
  3. Rasp the edges to finish. If you wish, you can edge the ends of the deck with ChoiceDek® trim. 2-1/4 #7 stainless steel trim head screws are great for this.

Note: ChoiceDek® products are for decking and accessories only. They are not to be used as a structural material.