how do you install deck boards?

How do you install deck boards. Bark-side up or bark-side down???

I had always read that you installed the boards bark-side up, and that they should cup towards the ground and water will run off each board. I installed 20 ft long treated pine boards bark-side up last fall, and I noticed today while I was trimming my deck that they are cupping the wrong way? WTF

I can pull most of the boards off and turn them over but really don’t want to.

What went wrong. Will this kill my deck quicker, or is it more of an inconveince thing to have standing water on the boards after a rain.

When you look at the grain of the boards you want the smiles upside down chief. You also want enough space between them that water and whatever debris falls on it will not get caught. I have the same problem. the wonderful previous owner put them the wrong way and too close together. When you finish with yours you would be welcome to come help with mine.

Rule number one, don’t buy your deck boards from Menards. I’m not sure what kind of trees they use to get their lumber, but I suspect if you walked into the forest where the lumber comes from, all the trees would be crooked, twisted, and cupped.

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Rule number one, don’t buy your deck boards from Menards. I’m not sure what kind of trees they use to get their lumber, but I suspect if you walked into the forest where the lumber comes from, all the trees would be crooked, twisted, and cupped.

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true that,

you gotta buy twice as much material as you think you’re going to need to compensate for all the crappy wood they’ll deliver. Built my deck in ’02 which is rather large with menards wood and havent had any problems with cupping, but I learned the hard way that it isnt all the same width.

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When you look at the grain of the boards you want the smiles upside down chief.

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That would be bark-side up, which is how its installed. The wood was dead green when it was put down-I wonder if as we’re getting some warm weather the top half of the board is drying faster than the bottom and that is causing the upsidedown cupping.

Rule # 1 is do not use boards. There is no wood coating available that will last more than 3 years. Until someone invents one, pay the extra money and choose from the various synthetic pre-colored deck planks. I have grown to hate the process of restaining my wood deck boards every 2-3 years.

I would do some research before buying any composite decking. There are several recalls and lawsuits out there. Search composite decking issues. The extra time treating real wood is worth the looks IMO.

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Rule # 1 is do not use boards. There is no wood coating available that will last more than 3 years. Until someone invents one, pay the extra money and choose from the various synthetic pre-colored deck planks. I have grown to hate the process of restaining my wood deck boards every 2-3 years.

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I hope your plastic decking lasts longer than mine did. That’s what I replaced with the wood. It was garbage-a good stomp and I could put my foot right through it. Not to mention it faded to a pretty dull grey where the sun hit it…

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Rule # 1 is do not use boards. There is no wood coating available that will last more than 3 years. Until someone invents one, pay the extra money and choose from the various synthetic pre-colored deck planks. I have grown to hate the process of restaining my wood deck boards every 2-3 years.

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X 100

I’m starting my deck sanding and staining party this weekend.

What…. 1 day every 3 years ??? I’d rather have the wood and do that, than have the plastic and have to look at it everyday… Plastic has come a long ways, but in MN, it’s still not there

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Rule # 1 is do not use boards. There is no wood coating available that will last more than 3 years. Until someone invents one, pay the extra money and choose from the various synthetic pre-colored deck planks. I have grown to hate the process of restaining my wood deck boards every 2-3 years.

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I wish I remembered what kind of stain I used because mine is going on 8 years and still looking good.

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I wish I remembered what kind of stain I used because mine is going on 8 years and still looking good.

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I bet your deck isn’t in direct sunlight all day long. My lower deck and entry deck that are in the shade have held up very well. My upper deck with a western exposure (not much trees) and fairly high traffic only lasts 2 years.

Big G,
I wish I could sand and restain it all in 1 day. I’m guessing I will have a solid week of work to sand and stain my upper (every 2 years) and lower decks (will be first time in 10 years), steps and railing/spindles. My neighbor has a trex composite deck and I’m jealous. I don’t like the looks of it compared to a freshly stained cedar deck, but his has held up nice.

I see Buzz… in my book, Sand = Pressure wash

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I see Buzz… in my book, Sand = Pressure wash

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X2

I’ve tried pressure washing it in the past. If you get it too close, it will start ripping the wood apart. It also didn’t remove all the old stain evenly. This wouldn’t be a big deal but I’ve been using a transparant stain (Sikkens SRD), so it looks like crap if it isn’t all taken off.

I’d be willing to buy beer all weekend for anyone that wants to come up and help.

I will supervise from my pontoon. Please make sure I’m not napping when you fire up the belt sander.