Installation Suggestions

Tools Required

• levels
• hammer and drill
• saws
• measuring tapes
• chalk line
• dacron coated or stainless steel nails or screws. Note: If you are using an ACQ treated sub-structure, this is very important because the chemicals can corrode other fasteners. Due to the extreme hardness of Yakima decking # 8 gauge screws are highly recommended over nails for ease of installation.

Construction

1. The Yakmina decking can be spanned to a maximum of 24” span; however, we recommend a 16” span on the center for perpendicular application of the boards. If a diagonal design is done, then a maximum of 12” should be used on center.

2. If you are using regular nails or screws, the deck boards can be used as you would with regular lumber. Be sure to put the fasteners through the thick parts of the board to get best holding power. As noted above, Yakima decking is extremely hard and driving nails through it can be difficult. Using screws or drilling pilot holes for nails is recommended.

3. The benefit of using the hidden deck clip is achieving a deck surface which is free of nail or screw heads. To install them, follow these steps:

• Draw a chalk line to ensure that the clips are attached to the joists in perfectly parallel lines and are square, laid out 5 ¾” to 5 7/8” (147mm-149mm) apart to give a 3/16” to 1/4” (5mm-6mm) gap between boards, allowing water and dirt to be cleaned out from between the boards and to avoid any expansion that may occur which would otherwise cause the boards to be bound together
• Of the three holes in the clip, use the center hole to line up the clips with the chalk lines, and attach with screws. Once the clips have been laid out, the deck board will snap over the clips and be held tightly in place. At times the galvanizing may reduce the slipperiness of the clips and to offset this, use soapy water or a lubricating oil.
• Measure from the outside edge (1/2 of 5 9/16”) on each end of deck to determine the center of the starting board, remembering to start with the outside board or edge of the deck, as the last board against the house may need to be ripped for final placement.
• Another method of installation would be to slide the board over the clips,  guide the board lengthwise over the installed clips, and squeeze the clips as you go.  This requires less pressure on the clips than snapping the boards over them.
• When the first board in installed, check for square and plumb, repeating the process again from the outside edge by adding 5 9/16 + ½ of 5 9/16 +3/16 or ¼”
• After checking for accuracy, repeat process board by board

The number of clips used will depend on the size of deck and the joist spacing. Every board should have a clip at every joist. Therefore, calculate how many will be needed on the basis of each board.  

Note: When installing boards diagonally, it is recommended that screws be used in place of clips. This will ensure that the boards will be attached securely to the joists.

4. Length wise: if you are laying out boards end to end, the expansion and contraction of the length dimensions must be considered. We recommend a length to length gap of 3/16” –1/4” (5mm-6mm) for the boards. If the temperature from the time of installation to the maximum expected temperature is over 40°F, set the gap at 1/4” (6mm).

For end to end installation you will need to add an extra joist bracing. Do not try to fit two boards onto one joist or one clip. Either use an extra joist or add a 2x4 to an existing joist. To avoid the end to end appearance on the deck, an alternative to consider is putting a vertical deck board into the deck design to form an "internal border" for neatness. Obviously, this would require blocking between joists.

5. Slope of deck: Even with spacing of the boards, the deck should be sloped away from the house to avoid any water buildup against the house wall. A slope of 1” in 10’ would be sufficient.

How to Make a Cost-Effective Trimboard

Equipment and Materials Required:

• Skill saw or table Saw
• Composite decking material

Cut as per the following diagram:

Features, Benefits and Characteristics

1. Yakima composite decking is a manufactured product engineered for accuracy of size and consistency of product quality.

2. As a wood-plastic composite, there is long-term protection against decay and termites without the need for chemical treatment

3. Like wood it can be sawn, nailed, and screwed without special tools.

4. During the manufacturing process, UV protection is added for fade resistance throughout the product, and rice flour is added for color consistency.

5. If desired, our hidden clip system will hide screws and nails from sight for a clean looking deck.

6. Yakima decking is environment-friendly, using recycled and waste materials.

7. Its heavy size of 1 3/8” x 5 9/16” (35x142mm) will stand the test of time.

8. Quick North American delivery from inventories on the east and west coasts.

9.The color representation manufactured of Yakima composite decking is as accurate as our printing processes will allow. Color variations must be expected, as with any composite decking product. Inspect a selection of full-length boards before final color selection and installation.