FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Long Deck Boards: a pain to intall?

| Posted in General Discussion on April 23, 1999 02:46am

*
I used redwood 2x6s up to 20′ long. Some were markedly warped (but then so am I, so it worked out), most had some degree of slight curve, and a blessed few were dead straight. I made up some 1/4″ spacers from plexiglass and used everything I could think of: a bowrench, webbing straps, pipe clamps, occasinally just a meaty hip. Whatever worked for the particular configuration. The spacers were long enough to span between adjacent joists, which helped balance the sideways pressure.

Overall it came out remarkably even. The spacing is a bit wider than 1/4″ in some places, a bit narrower in others, but the differences averaged out surprisingly well. Down the line I may replace one board whose end has wiggled over to touch the next board, but I’ll see how much it bothers me after a couple of months of use. I suspect I’ll be the only one who would ever notice it.

The longer boards did provide greater leverage for correction than short ones could. I just had to be careful to put spacers where the gap would be pinched. I used the Deckmaster clips, and it meant a lot of climbing back and forth for some of the more interesting boards.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. KenB | Apr 23, 1999 02:46am | #1

    *
    I used redwood 2x6s up to 20' long. Some were markedly warped (but then so am I, so it worked out), most had some degree of slight curve, and a blessed few were dead straight. I made up some 1/4" spacers from plexiglass and used everything I could think of: a bowrench, webbing straps, pipe clamps, occasinally just a meaty hip. Whatever worked for the particular configuration. The spacers were long enough to span between adjacent joists, which helped balance the sideways pressure.

    Overall it came out remarkably even. The spacing is a bit wider than 1/4" in some places, a bit narrower in others, but the differences averaged out surprisingly well. Down the line I may replace one board whose end has wiggled over to touch the next board, but I'll see how much it bothers me after a couple of months of use. I suspect I'll be the only one who would ever notice it.

    The longer boards did provide greater leverage for correction than short ones could. I just had to be careful to put spacers where the gap would be pinched. I used the Deckmaster clips, and it meant a lot of climbing back and forth for some of the more interesting boards.

  2. Guest_ | Apr 23, 1999 04:48am | #2

    *
    Gosh, I always thought the longer the board, the easier to bend to the fit/spacing. This speaks of a detail I read about in WOODENBOAT magazine. Seems if you want a board/plank snug at the end, you cut it long, nail it off, and cut to length. This is because it is easy to bend a board into place, except as you get closer, ever closer to the end.

    Try bending a 20' into place. Easy. Try bending the last couple of inches into place. Not so easy.

    1. Guest_ | Apr 23, 1999 07:50am | #3

      *FX2x4 are way easier to bend than 2x6, but look really wimpy on a deck. Are 5/4 deck boards avilable to you, and would your joist spacing allow their use. . .they are much easier toi bendinto place. I use full length cedar whenever I can. I ripped up some scrap 1/4" ply into bits some years ago and kept them for spacers. Pierce near the top with a d/wall nail or similar. . . it keeps the spacers from falling through when your shifting boards, and makes the spacer easier to pull out when pinched between nailed off boards.A Stanley Wonderbar is all I ever seem to need to convincei wanked boards into line, lever between two spacers to protect the edge from crushing marks.

      1. Guest_ | Apr 23, 1999 09:50am | #5

        *Hello,I find the long deck boards easiest to work withfor bending into place. The material of choicein our area (Chicago suburbs) for decks is 5/4cedar decking. I use no spacers and butt the boards tight because the material shrinks soon after installation. Usually the spaces end up an eighth to a quarter-inch wide. Also use this method for treated decking material.Started not leaving spaces after I went back to one of the first decks I ever did. I used the quarter-inch spacer method. Some of the spacesbetween boards you could throw a dead cat through.But seriously some of those spaces were now a halfto three quarters of an inch wide.Mike

  3. Guest_ | Apr 23, 1999 09:50am | #4

    *
    I love the idea of an unbroken deck surface. The deck being built is 18', with the boards running the long way. (I'll be using blind fasteners, probably Deckmaster, but mayber Simpson clips.) 18' redwood is available here, both in in 2x4 and 2x6.

    My question: is trying to install decking of this length so that it lies nice and straight, with even gaps, too big of a pain to consider? Boards this long have the inevitable wiggles.

    Is 2x4 easier to install straight than 2x6? Or am I crazy to consider installing decking this long? Should I just find a pleasing staggered pattern and install shorter boards?

    Opinions and experience greatly appreciated.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Listeners write in about fostering trade work and proposed changes to Canadian code and ask questions about roof and wall insulation for an old house.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Building Codes
  • Old Boots Learn New Tricks
  • Install Denim Insulation Like a Pro

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data