Your composite decking manufacturer will have a unique joist span table to help you determine the maximum length based on joist size and spacing. The smaller the spacing, the longer your joists can span. The distance you choose affects the maximum joist span, or how long your joists can be without compromising the strength of the deck frame. However, you should make adjustments depending on the angle and span of your deck. The bottom line? With composites, you can typically trust brand guidelines. That is unless you’re installing your deck at a 45-degree angle – in this case, 12 inches OC is recommended by most composite decking brands. When would you ever need to use 12 inches OC? Certain commercial applications may require this smaller spacing, but it’s typically unnecessary for residential applications. For example, towns that once required a maximum of 16” OC for composites may now require 12” OC. Composite materials have changed drastically over the years, improving in both performance and appearance.Īt the same time, local building code requirements have also become stricter. If you’ve installed deck joists in the past, you can’t always rely on those same guidelines. How Far Apart Should You Place Floor Joists on a Composite Deck? If you were to draw a line down the center of two joists and then measure the distance between them as 16 inches, that measurement is 16 inches on center.īasically, instead of measuring joists from edge to edge, you should measure them center to center. The distance between two deck joists is measured in inches “on center”, commonly abbreviated as “OC”. However, if you space your joists too close together, it will be difficult to install supporting elements such as joist hangers, blocking, and flashing. It’s common sense that the less space there is between joists, the sturdier your deck will be. If the joists are not all the same exact height, the deck’s surface will be uneven. If the composite deck’s floor joists that span the length of your deck are installed too far apart, the boards on top will sag. Why is Joist Spacing So Important for Composite Decking?Ī house is only as strong as its foundation, and a deck is only as strong as its frame. In this guide, we’ll go over the proper joist spacing as well as some common installation mistakes you should avoid. Some brands, like WearDeck, let you get away with more – reinforced with a layer of fiberglass on both the top and bottom, WearDeck boards easily allow for spans of 24 inches OC. Most joist spacing for most composite and PVC decking brands, such as Trex, AZEK, TimberTech, and Fiberon, require a minimum joist spacing of 16″ on-center for straight decking and 12″ on-center for diagonal decking at a 45-degree angle. But sometimes, they can be a bit unclear when it comes to a crucial component – deck joist spacing for composite decking. But to truly get the most out of your new composite deck, you have to start with a strong frame.Ĭomposite decking brands like Trex and TimberTech generally have their own brand-specific installation instructions. Composite decking, which is made from a combination of wood and plastic, lasts longer than traditional wood because it’s less prone to rotting, splintering, and insect damage. After weighing the options, you’ve decided you want to use composite material to build your deck or replace your old wood deck.
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