How long does it take deck boards to shrink?
Over time, most treated lumber will shrink slightly across its width as it dries out. Take this small amount of shrinkage into account when laying decking or fence boards. After being outdoors for six to 12 months, treated lumber will develop cracks, called "checks," along the surface of each board.
Does decking shrink?
As temperatures drop, composite decking contracts. The cells within both the plastic and the wood fibres pull closer together causing shrinkage. Both expansion and shrinkage occur within a known tolerance.
What is the average lifespan of decking?
Life Expectancy
Softwood decking will typically last between 10 to 15 years and will need to be regularly treated. Well-maintained hardwood decking can last for longer and, in some cases, can last for as long as 25 years. Regularly oiling, cleaning, and refinishing will be needed.
Do deck boards expand and contract?
As composite boards expand and contract, proper deck board spacing is very important. Many people install decking with the boards touching each other as they think it looks more aesthetically pleasing. However, failure to leave the right amount of space in between them can have several negative consequences.
How much will decking boards shrink?
Wood doesn't expand or contract equally in all directions. For example, a 16-ft pine board could potentially shrink around 1/8 to 3/16” in length, and ¼" in width as it dries.
Do deck boards swell or shrink?
It's also critical to remember that wood is a natural material that slightly expands and contracts depending on the humidity and moisture levels in the environment in which the deck is installed. As a result, you need to ensure you leave the proper spacing between boards when you install your wood decking.
Does decking expand in summer?
Decking expands in the heat and contracts in the cold; therefore, when installing, close attention must be paid to the weather conditions during the installation. All boards will expand when exposed to high temperatures.
How much does treated decking shrink?
Most installers butt the pickets tight and level as they go. Most 1x6 pickets here shrink a little less than 1/2" or about 9%. Most of that wood is 20 or 35% grade.
Does decking timber shrink?
Note: Decking shrinks and expands by varying amounts depending on the species. Laying kiln dried decking boards tight (ie with no gap) will not allow water to be shed from the deck.. If decking is green or wet after treatment then this is not such an issue as the deck will shrink as it dries out.
Can a wood deck last 30 years?
If you're going to install a new one, or you moved into a house that already has a deck, you're likely wondering when you'll need to consider replacing it. You can typically expect a deck to last 10-30 years for untreated wood and 50 or more years for treated wood and composite.
What is the downside of decking?
Stained, natural, and pressure-treated pine decks require regular maintenance to ensure the natural wood retains its high-quality look, but even with this - they are still susceptible to cracking, splintering, rotting, and warping as time goes by, which can be dangerous especially to homes with small children and ...
What is the longest lasting decking?
Aluminum decking is the most expensive out of the deck material and will last the longest with a lifespan of 30+ years. Steel decking can have a lifespan of 60+ years when correctly installed by a professional builder.
Will composite decking shrink?
If it is made right, good composite decking should not shrink much at all. As temperatures go up and down, composite deck boards will naturally expand and contract. Because of this, the ends of the boards should never be put close together.
Does decking expand in the winter?
Avoid wood warps, cracks, splits, and twists!
But the cold winter temperatures prevent the boards from expanding, making them easier to install. Note: This doesn't apply to non-wood decking materials like composite, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and aluminum.
Are decks a good investment?
Nationally, a new deck provides a 44% return on investment (ROI) in added property value. So if you invest $20,000 in a new deck, your property value may increase by $8,800 — 44% of $20,000.
Why are my deck boards shrinking?
Regular pressure treated wood tends to be somewhat wet when it's new. That means, as it weathers in the sun and the heat, it will dry out some and shrink slightly.
Do treated boards shrink?
Even products that are sealed and treated are going to shrink. This most typically occurs across the width of boards, so builders should take into consideration the fact that their lumber will shrink over time.
Do wood boards shrink?
Shrinking and swelling occur as the wood changes moisture content in response to daily as well as seasonal changes in the relative humidity of the atmosphere, i.e., when the air is humid, wood adsorbs moisture and swells; when the air is dry, wood loses moisture and shrinks.
How do I keep my boards from shrinking?
Use dry lumber and keep the environment between 35-50% relative humidity. In addition, the woodworker can select boards and assemble projects by placing boards with reverse growth rings adjacent to each other to counteract the shrinking tendency of the boards.
How much does decking expand?
Most deck boards you buy will be fairly green and upon drying out will shrink across their width so whatever gap you leave will increase over the following weeks. So even if you butt them up you will end up with roughly a 3-4mm gap.
Does decking expand lengthwise?
On the other hand, natural exterior wood has minimal linear expansion or contraction when used as decking or siding. Wood decking and siding do show some expansion and contraction widthwise (tangential) and sometimes slight expansion or contraction of their thickness (radial) due to changes in humidity levels.
Do you need gaps between decking boards?
How far apart should decking boards be? Expansion gaps are essential when constructing decking. The gap between each individual deck board allows for rainwater runoff, plus the natural expansion and contraction of the wood throughout its life. You need an expansion gap of 5-8mm between the boards.
Does rain affect decking?
Let's discuss the effects of rain on your wood decking first. Rain means lots of water, and water is an enemy of wood. It can cause rotting, swelling, warping, and many other damaging issues.
Is it OK for decking to get wet?
While outdoor decks are designed to withstand some moisture, it's generally not advisable for the wood of a deck to stay consistently wet for extended periods. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to issues like wood rot, mold growth, and the deterioration of the deck's structure over time.
How long does it take for wood to shrink?
This is because much of its water content is removed during tree cutting. Then, it will continue to shrink gradually during the drying stage. This may take several years, depending on the type of wood, how it was cut, the weather and humidity in the area where it will be dried.
Does wood shrink over time?
This shrinkage varies considerably from species to species, but as a rough rule-of-thumb, wood undergoes about 8% tangential shrinkage, 4% radial shrinkage, and 0.1% longitudinal shrinkage from the green to ovendry condition. Heavier (denser) woods generally shrink more than lighter woods.
Does timber shrink more in length or width?
In most cases, shrinkage in length (along the cell direction or along the grain) is very low indeed. In contrast, the shrinkage in width and thickness (across the grain) is considerable and varies according to the orientation of the growth rings.
Which wood shrinks the most?
Hardwoods shrink considerably more than soft woods. Tangential shrinkage is greater than radial shrink age, but the ratio between the two varies greatly. Also, woods with a high specific gravity generally shrink the most.
Does wood shrink in thickness?
Wood shrinks about 0.1 per- cent longitudinally as it dries from fsp to 0 percent MC. A 20' board dried from fsp to 0 percent MC would shrink only about 0.24", or less than ¼". Because wood put in use is not dried to 0 percent MC, there is even less shrinkage.
How much does treated timber shrink?
Splitting in the timber is part of the natural drying process in hot weather and in some cases; these splits may reduce or 'heal' in wetter conditions and should not be viewed as flaws. Expect freshly treated timber to shrink by as much as 8% in width and 0.3% in length.
Is it OK to stain a deck every year?
Many homeowners wonder, “How often should I stain my deck?” To keep a deck looking great and prolong the life of the wood, a deck should be stained every two to three years. Other signs your deck needs staining are: The deck has mold or mildew buildup. Water soaks into the deck boards and no longer beads up.
What decks last a lifetime?
Longest Lasting: Ipe Wood Decking
Ipe wood is the longest-lasting decking material thanks to its density. Your ipe wood deck could last up to 75 years. In comparison, pressure-treated wood may only last up to 15 years.
When should decking be replaced?
Compared with what has been discussed already, some cheaper alternatives to wooden decking boards include rubber mats, wood chippings and pallet decking. These more budget-friendly options may not have the same aesthetic appeal as timber, composite or PVC decking - but they do come with their benefits.
What is better than decking?
Thicker deck boards allow for more space between your deck joists — which means you'll likely need fewer joists for your build. Fewer joists can mean less labor and lower upfront material costs.
Is thicker decking better?
There are two ways you can lay decking on grass. One method is quick and easy but it will be hard wearing on your decking. The other is more difficult but your decking will stay healthier for longer. We'll talk you through both methods.
Can decking sit on grass?
Trex has been the top brand in the composite decking industry for over 20 years, generating over $560 million in annual sales. You can think of Trex as the perfect medium between wood decking and other alternative materials.
What is the best decking in the world?
Life Expectancy
Softwood decking will typically last between 10 to 15 years and will need to be regularly treated. Well-maintained hardwood decking can last for longer and, in some cases, can last for as long as 25 years. Regularly oiling, cleaning, and refinishing will be needed.
What is the average lifespan of decking?
For example, a 16-ft pine board could potentially shrink around 1/8 to 3/16” in length, and ¼" in width as it dries. Different wood species have different coefficients of shrinkage as they dry. The importance of deck board spacing can't be overemphasized.
How do you build a deck that will last forever?
Decking expands in the heat and contracts in the cold; therefore, when installing, close attention must be paid to the weather conditions during the installation. All boards will expand when exposed to high temperatures.
How much does decking shrink?
Harsh chemicals like bleach are NOT recommended on any composite surface! These chemicals can eat away at the composite structure and leave permanent discolorations and damage. As we said, your deck is a valuable investment, and you don't want to ruin it that way!
Does decking expand in summer?
From temperature change alone composite decking will expand and contract, on average, about half a centimeter. That said, it is much less susceptible to change than almost all wooden decking. This is because composite decking is made, in part, out of synthetic materials – mostly recycled plastic.
What ruins composite decking?
Even in the event of snowy weather, composite decking is a fantastic surface that's built to withstand the frosty cold. Extremely hard-wearing, you can even fend of the snow and ice by using rock salt or calcium chloride without fears of damaging the decking surface beneath when the snow/ice melts.
How much does composite decking shrink?
Tarping your decking can be a good option for protecting it during the winter, but only if you do not plan on using your deck during this time. If you still plan to use your deck, it is not advisable to cover it as this could trap moisture and cause damage to the wood.
Is composite decking bad in the winter?
Stained, natural, and pressure-treated pine decks require regular maintenance to ensure the natural wood retains its high-quality look, but even with this - they are still susceptible to cracking, splintering, rotting, and warping as time goes by, which can be dangerous especially to homes with small children and ...
Should I cover my decking in winter?
So, why are decks so expensive? Labor, building materials, and extra fees like removal, permits, and demolition all add up to create a price that maybe you did not expect.
What is the downside of decking?
It's also critical to remember that wood is a natural material that slightly expands and contracts depending on the humidity and moisture levels in the environment in which the deck is installed. As a result, you need to ensure you leave the proper spacing between boards when you install your wood decking.
What are disadvantages of decks?
Note: Decking shrinks and expands by varying amounts depending on the species. Laying kiln dried decking boards tight (ie with no gap) will not allow water to be shed from the deck.. If decking is green or wet after treatment then this is not such an issue as the deck will shrink as it dries out.
Why is it so expensive to build a deck?
Regular pressure treated wood tends to be somewhat wet when it's new. That means, as it weathers in the sun and the heat, it will dry out some and shrink slightly.
Do deck boards swell or shrink?
Most installers butt the pickets tight and level as they go. Most 1x6 pickets here shrink a little less than 1/2" or about 9%. Most of that wood is 20 or 35% grade.
Does decking timber shrink?
Green lumber shrinks only 0.01 percent of its length as it dries. An 8-foot-long board will move only 3/32 inch. Wood moves much more across the grain, tangent to the growth rings. Green lumber shrinks as much as 8 percent in this direction.
Why are my deck boards shrinking?
Use dry lumber and keep the environment between 35-50% relative humidity. In addition, the woodworker can select boards and assemble projects by placing boards with reverse growth rings adjacent to each other to counteract the shrinking tendency of the boards.
How much does treated decking shrink?
All wood lumber has some degree of shrinkage and cracking that is to be expected. After all, this is a naturally made material that swells when wet and dries in the sun. Even products that are sealed and treated are going to shrink.
How much will a board shrink?
Wood moves as its moisture content changes. Wood doesn't move much lengthwise, so you don't have to worry a lot about boards getting shorter. But a board can move quite a bit across its width. A board that's 6 inches wide during a humid summer might shrink by 1/32 of an inch in winter.
How do I keep my boards from shrinking?
Does composite decking shrink and expand?
Does untreated wood shrink?
Does wood decking expand and contract?
Does wood shrink in summer?
Does decking expand in the winter?
How long does it take for lumber to shrink?
This is because much of its water content is removed during tree cutting. Then, it will continue to shrink gradually during the drying stage. This may take several years, depending on the type of wood, how it was cut, the weather and humidity in the area where it will be dried.
Does decking timber shrink?
Note: Decking shrinks and expands by varying amounts depending on the species. Laying kiln dried decking boards tight (ie with no gap) will not allow water to be shed from the deck.. If decking is green or wet after treatment then this is not such an issue as the deck will shrink as it dries out.
Do treated boards shrink?
Even products that are sealed and treated are going to shrink. This most typically occurs across the width of boards, so builders should take into consideration the fact that their lumber will shrink over time.
How much does treated decking shrink?
Most installers butt the pickets tight and level as they go. Most 1x6 pickets here shrink a little less than 1/2" or about 9%. Most of that wood is 20 or 35% grade.