Multi-Feature Curved Deck: Decking

A successful inset graphic has to be as well supported as any other area of decking. Fiberglass panels used for industrial grating fit the bill for this deck. Avoid overly small pieces in your graphic, opting for no piece with an area smaller than a dinner plate.

1. Position the graphic. With the joists and blocking in place, it’s time to notch the framing for the grating that will support the puzzle pieces of the graphic. Lay down one of the plastic sheets on which you’ve transferred the graphic. Move it around until you have the design where you want it. Tape or place scraps along one side to hold it in place.

2. Mark for the support grating.  Because the outline of the orca design is complex, it would be difficult to install blocking to provide the necessary support. Instead, sections of fiberglass grating smoothly support the many puzzle pieces of the graphic.

3. Notch for the support grating. Use a circular saw to cut notches to let the pieces of grating into the joists. A grinder makes fine adjustments so the top of the grating is exactly even with the top of the joists.

4. Complete the cut. An oscillating saw is ideal for cutting out the bits a circular saw can’t reach. A handsaw can also do the job.

5. Recheck the fit. Check again to be sure the top surface of the grating is exactly flush with the top of the joists. Use a straightedge like an extended level to check the fit.

6. Add stretchable flashing. Paint the notches with preservative. Once the preservative dries, apply stretchable flashing to each notch to further protect the joists.

Using Decking to Add a Graphic Feature

Because PVC and composite decking come in a wide range of colors, either one can be used to make a graphic feature (here, we used PVC). A successful feature has enough detail to make it interesting but is not so fussy that it has small bits that are difficult to fasten in place securely. By equipping the framing with a fiberglass grate and added bridging, all the edges of the design are well supported. The simple, rounded shapes that make up the orca motif lend themselves to decking.

This stunning graphic of an orca whale especially suits its Washington State location but would be a memorable feature anywhere. Notice that the decking used in the graphic is set perpendicular to the field decking, simplifying construction and adding a touch of contrast.

The first stage is installing the background decking. Key priorities are extending the decking far enough into the design for trimming later and keeping the gap and orientation of the planks consistent across the inlay.

Inlaying the design requires checking and rechecking the template to make sure it hasn’t slipped while transferring the design to the deck. Take your time and step back often to get the big picture. Start with large pieces and use cutoffs and scraps for the smaller pieces.

1. Apply the decking. Reposition the plastic sheet with the outline of the graphic on top of the grating. Begin installing the decking. In this case, scraps of decking cut to 3/8 in. are used as spacers.

2. Continues courses over the graphic. To make sure that the decking lines up accurately on both sides of the graphic, run a couple of courses over the graphic. Use them as an alignment guide for installing the other pieces that will surround the inset design.

3. Reposition the tracing. Now is the time to put your second tracing to use. Carefully lay it in place, aligning it with the sheet underneath the decking. Instead of marring the decking with staples, hold the plastic in place with scraps.

4. Transfer the graphic. Using a wheeled serration tool, work your way around the outermost portion of the design, pressing down firmly.

5. Enhance the line. Pull back the tracing and use a pencil to make your cutline nice and clear. A flexible strip of decking or 1x makes a handy guide for marking a smooth curve.

6. Make the cut. By backing out the screws ­nearest the end of a plank and slipping some scraps ­underneath it, you can cut the plank in place. This saves you the trouble of lining up the cut end later.

7. Sand the cut. While the plank is conveniently propped up, smooth the cut edge with a sander.

8. Fasten the decking. Replace each piece of decking and check that the cut is square and smooth before replacing the fasteners.

9. Cut gentle curves. Flatter curves can be cut with a compact circular saw equipped with a 4-1/2-in. blade. Set the blade just deep enough to cut the decking while cutting no more than 1/8 in. into the grating. Move the saw slowly and smoothly.

10. Complete the cutout. Continue working your way around the design. Double-check that the cut ends of the decking line up with each other, sanding to make minor adjustments. As a final step, remove the scraps of plastic before refastening the planks in place.

11. Rough-cut interior pieces. When the outline cutout is done, cut pieces longer than needed, arranging them so there will be as few small pieces as possible. Use spacers to confirm how the planks will fit the cutout.

12. Prep for making the interior pieces. To hold the rough-cut pieces in place, weigh them down with scraps of decking and heavy weights like concrete blocks. From underneath the deck, sketch cutlines on the pieces.

13. Mark clear cutlines. You’ll be forced to mark around the fiberglass grate, joists, and blocking—a chicken-scratched bunch of lines at best. Carefully extend any broken lines.

14. Trim the interior planks. Clamp or otherwise stabilize the plank. Using a jigsaw, carefully make the needed cuts.

15. Scribe for a gap. Insert the pieces. Initially the fit might be tight, but as long as you can squeeze them into the inset, you can scribe them for a gap consistent with the rest of the decking. In some cases, you might find you’ve overdone the cut and have to try again with another piece of decking.

16. Reset and space the pieces. As you scribe and trim the pieces, work in spacers to match it up with the surrounding deck. This will take finesse and a lot of trial and error.

17. Complete the puzzle. Cut out the contrasting pieces, lay them on the graphic, trace around them, and cut out the background. Test-fit the pieces, using a random-orbital sander to achieve a consistent gap around each piece.

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