Synopsis: This article gives seven tips for installing a deck in a diagonal pattern.

The decking is the finished surface of a deck, so we put a lot of effort into its visual details and installation. Because these particular clients liked the look of natural wood but wanted to minimize maintenance, we opted for the stability of 2×5 vertical grain pressure-treated yellow pine that was kiln-dried after treatment (KDAT). We often use a diagonal decking pattern as well—not just because it looks good, but because it allows us to run single boards out to the perimeter, avoiding butt joints in the field. Although hidden fasteners are always an option, on this project we attached the decking with coated deck screws, drilling pilot holes for all the screws to reduce splits. And for the sake of accuracy, we used impact drivers one screw at a time rather than collated screw guns with extensions.

Run the first board from the corner. The 45° decking angle is established by measuring a right triangle from the intersection of the house and the parting beam, then snapping a chalkline as a reference for the first board.

Cover the area quickly. For better workflow, lay out the decking from the first board toward the perimeter, leave it long, and tack it into position. Later, go back, drive all the remaining screws, and trim the board ends where they overhang the perimeter.

This is the place for precise cuts. Once the outer portion is filled in, the inner corner can be tackled. Hemmed in by the house, each board must be cut to fit on both ends.

Chalk the midline, and cut. When one side of the decking is complete, chalk a line just inside the parting beam, and trim the deck-board ends at the line. Always use…