How To Install Trex Composite Decking
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video I will show you how to install Trex composite decking. I will be using hidden fasteners to secure the trex decking. I demonstrate how to install composite decking screws properly. How to install the trex starter clips is shown in this video. Trex Enhance Basics 16-ft Saddle Grooved Composite Deck Board is the decking that was purchased from Lowe's.
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Disclaimer: This video is all based on my personal opinion and is for entertainment purposes ONLY. I am not a financial advisor, CPA, attorney, tax advisor, electrician, plumber, housing contractor, designer, or any type of profession to give advice. I am just a consumer sharing my experiences and research. If you do need knowledge for those types of things, I will advise you to seek help for those professionals.
Nice work thank you for posting ! Just a few tips from a retired carpenter 42 years in the trade Use a rubber mallet or piece of scrap to tap your boards to avoid damage. Joists should be 12" not 16" O.C.looks like you did that ! solid bridging should be every 8' . Also stagger your seams more randomly not every other board so they are not as noticeable. Overhang your end piece so your skirt trim is under your deck boards (place 1/4" spacers between the rim joist and skirt every 16" to allow for air flow). Work from the top of the deck with a good pair of knee pads so you're not lifting your legs up and over the joists. Give me the good old days of nailing off Redwood and Cedar ! minus the maintenance of course
This is an absolutely excellent tutorial. Super-helpful and well-presented. The Trex folks should pay you for this.
Glad it was helpful! I wish they would pay me!!
nononono
I came here to learn how to use the anchors/clips that are used to hold the decking boards to the joists. Good content!
I’m glad I can help. Good luck on your project and thanks for watching!
My son and I just installed Trex decking on our back porch. We wound up spacing two sixteen foot boards together just enough to slide the fastener in. Then we slid them into position and run the screws down. Makes installing the boards a lot quicker!
Excellent! Thanks for watching!
Just a suggestion- use a rubber mallet to set the boards. I'm doing my first one tomorrow appreciate all the info.
Right and also not the impact hahah
i used a rubber tapping block that come with laminate intall kits, same concept, slightly different tool.
Use a knee pad also to push the board it honestly helps. And also boards come in 20’ if you just need 19’ 11” use the fasteners on every 3rd or 5th joist to hold it in place using a rubber mallet, then come back and secure them tight against the board once you start from one end to end. If that makes sense.
Edit-joists
and that's what good quality work looks like...
Thank you Tony!
seamless is the way to go for sure... just got done with a 56x48 pool deck- I do all my decks seamless, and put fascia board around the band joists after that damn trex... butter baby...
Good job on doing the pool deck. You saved a ton of money doing it yourself! The facia is expensive but looks really good. Thanks for watching!
@@TheExcellentLaborer thanks, used to do all carpentry but my brother in law and I went off on our own, and we are doing decks only. got 4 under the belt, trying to build a portfolio. just done an estimate for a 2200 sq footer 13 ft high on the far end, stairs on both left and right high sides.. tear out too😰🤑 love your videos man, you do great work
Very well explain.you are very professionnal teacher.I like your explain👍👍👍
Thanks a lot! I’m glad I could be helpful to you. Be sure to stop by again!
Finally, someone who literally shows you "HOW TO" do this job. Thank you very much sir!
Thank you! I’m glad you found value in my content. Thank care!
He is doing it all wrong , check your lumber store for the right way
@@kingtut5923 yeah, I would use the deck screws that come with the same color plugs so you hide the surface mounted screws
@@kingtut5923 Oh sure, trust what the guy at Home Depot says.
Show the last piece that's the hardest to put in and all the warped pieces you get, they all dont just butt up perfectly like you show them
Very informative well done new subscriber because of your attention to detail and thoroughness.
This was excellent, thanks!
Thanks for letting me know! I hope it helps you with your project!
very helpful with easy to understand instructions! good job!
All them subcontractors are gonna scratch the 💩 out of that nice new decking. And "a little warm" is an understatement. That stuff gets hot!
It does get hot and can scratch!
It's pretty.. but this reason I didn't buy this. I just prefer treated natural lumber
Starting to lay trex myself on a new deck. A lot to think about. Gotta look good and last. Thank you!
It is a lot to think about. Especially if you have never done it. Just take your time and learn the best techniques and go at it!
Good advice
@@oleboy4332 sure!
Extremely helpful video and tips. Thank you!
Thank you and thanks for watching!!
Great job Josh!
Thanks Joe!
Thanks for a very helpful tutorial video Josh!
Thanks for this video. I've read that you shouldn't use hidden fasteners except if the deck is 30" or less off the ground. Mine is less than 30 and looks like yours is too. Instead it says to use composite deck screws. Can I use hidden fasteners for any situation?
Super informative video, thx! Btw, you should be sponsored.
First off great video , would it be beneficial to blue skin the floor joists?
Tapeasy screws don't need to be pre drilled. Great video I just don't like butt joints I like to run a board the opposite way to spilt the joint.
Thanks again for the information!
You are welcome! Good luck with your project!
Great video, but no flashings on the joists? Do you expect those spacers waterproof the joists? Probably NOT!
You should try using Camo Edge Clips on your next job. Much easier, and less time consuming (it isn't a 2-pass clip like the Trex clip). You showed something that many people take for granted- butt ends should always rest on a full 1 1/2" of joist. You could have built a ladder in the center, and installed a breaker board- eliminates all the butt joints. You built a stout deck. Nice job.
Oh OK. I will check those out. Where do you find them? Thanks for the compliment.
@@TheExcellentLaborer Where are you at? One thing you will need to do, is set the impact driver aside. Shake the dust off of your cordless drill, set the clutch to the setting that just snugs the screw into the clip, and you are off to the races. You stack 4 or 5 deck boards, Edge Clips in between on every joist, hold the last one in, and start driving the screws down. No more "inside-outside/inside outside." You can even buy an extension (the Drive Tool), attach your drill, and walk along driving the screws into the clips. Easy peasy. It also runs collated edge or face fasteners too. The other thing I notice, you will get less coating chippage in the socket of the composite screws when you use the cordless drill. The impact driver "bangs" on the 6 lobes of the torx socket, chipping away at the coating.
Can you get those camo edge screws in different colors for the edge board?
@@luissanchez1159 I was referring to Edge Clips- most pros install grooved deck boards, and use clips. We offer edge fasteners too- some builders prefer a direct connection to the joist in those cases. You ask about permieter boards- Camo Fasteners offer 10 colored composite screws - we can match just about all Trex colors. Madeira was always a tough one to match. Here is a link to our website: www.camofasteners.com/
would you be able to add how to install the ledger board flashing on the next video or when you finish this deck?
Can you build from an existing deck foundation? How much does a deck that size cost using Trex?
Great video man
Thank you Keith!
Thank you so much for teaching, I will do a project just like that
How can the boards expand and contract if they are screwed right through to the joists at the ends?
Thanks for sharing,
I’m looking for specific tips about edge finishing though
Excellent video best I have seen
I prefer squared edges with screws. The Trex clips can become loose overtime and not hold the board against the joist. Plus leaves and dirt get caught in the grooves (depending on your environment)
Ok. The square edge is the way to go. The clips are used for the second row.
@@TheExcellentLaborer Ahh, I forgot to use those clips for the 1st board inside the picture frame. I plan on countersinking a screw and tapping in a plug since I already went past that part.
@@michaelpeck5547 that will work
Sorry but you are wrong!!!...the boards move so much its best to go clips
Awesome video. Thanks so much!
Glad you liked it!
I don't understand why we use the shim? Are we trying to create a gap before we put our brackets in?
Just curious, how long did it take you, yourself, to install the boards?
I have a possible suggestion. Would a rubber hammer maybe be better to reduce chances of marring the deck planks as you snug them to the brackets?
I live in northGA, over the course of a year, an 80° to 90° temp difference is normal. Have you ever had any expansion/contraction problems with the square edged boards that you face fastened w screws at every joist?
Great video! I'm installing over an old small concrete porch (5X10) to connect to an existing deck, can you use just the composite screws to attach on the ends only or do you have to use the fasteners?
Do you remember how many fasteners you used? Do you feel the board going in? Or do you lift up on it to make sure it's hooked in properly? Nice job.
Thank you sir well done 👏
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it.
Good work! Thank you josh.
Thank you John! I appreciate you coming on my videos. It does help to channel out a lot. Thanks again. Stay tuned!
Would a rubber mallet be better to seat the boards into the bracket?
Any recommendations for securing down old Trex at the joists? Some boards are coming loose at the joists. I started using the screws I believe you are using in the video here. Not sure if there is a better way to handle it outside of a costly job to replace all of the Trex. It is an original older trex. Probably about twenty years old now.
Are there hidden fasteners currently? Where are they screwed down?
@@TheExcellentLaborer It is old composite trex. There are just screws, not counter sunk. Just screws screwed in at the joists.
great video- very helpful.
Great video
Thank you! I appreciate that!
Good job bro!
Great video 👍
Thanks a lot. Good luck with your projects!
@@TheExcellentLaborer I appreciate that
Don’t they have little pegs to plug holes if you have to face screw something?
Thank you
No problem Rick!
Hey Josh, my name is John Chisom…. I love the vids. And I also stand by Milwaukee tools as I notice your screw guns and impact driver are all Milwaukee. But what throws me off is that Dewalt chop saw. Go with Milwaukee, it’s a far greater saw, in my opinion. But, anyway, I’m doing a deck and the Trex is two toned I’m color foggy Dwarf and Spiced rum planks, as requested by the customer, however, they wanted a border that ran in a square pattern three times around the perimeter of the deck, mitered in the corners and then after three squares around the perimeter were laid, then have the square filled in with boards left to right.
I did not leave space in that square pattern, will that be trouble?
I have done several decks this way, for the last maybe 6 years, and have had zero call backs with complaints or install failures, what is your opinion on that?
Hey, can you be an example and capture the PVC plastic sawdust instead of letting it fall into soil, grass, and water?
After watching your excellent video, I realize that there's more to installing Trex decking than what meets the eye. Would you entertain the idea of coming over to Kailua-Kona Hawaii during the winter/early spring for doing a pool deck around a large above ground pool? Just asking.
Are you still looking for a contractor to help build your deck?
Going to be starting my project shortly. I have some posts that I will have to work around. I’m also adding pvc railings to my deck. Any advice on how to cut Trex to fit around posts and snap into clips?
Do you need pitch at Trex top surface from start to end?
Recommend joist tape, or you can have water damage problems later
Looks like 12" centers; is that the norm for Trex boards?
Yes 12” is normal.
Yes
Do you have any videos on how to build a deck on a second floor? I'm super tempted to build my own deck, but because it is on the second floor, it could be too big of a job to DIY.
Sorry I do not have any videos at this time like that. Stay tuned in case I do in the future! Thanks for watching!
Nice job!
Thank you!
How do you come up with the how long the boards will be in each row? I have a 32' long deck Thanks !
Thanks a lot!
No problem Roger!
Thanks mate 👍
No problem!
Come on over my house. We could do some good work. I have the Winchester gray to install. Nice job
I got a framing blade on my saw , would I need a different blade for this material sir ?
I would prefer to use a trim blade possible. You could try it and see how it does. Cut a scrap piece first and see the results. Hope that helps!
I have a worn out blade for cutting 2×4s and it still cuts like butter. This Trex thing is super easy to cut.
Some of my composite deck screws are not screwing all the way down. They just spin i cant counter sink them.
Great job.. What did you use for joists, specs? #1 or #2
These are a number two pressure-treated 2 x 10 floor joists 1 foot on center. Check out my how to build a deck video for more details. Stay tuned!
@The Excellent Laborer I noticed you screwed the boards down on the end. We're doing the framing so those will be need to be screwed down, but will I need to do that when I stagger my boards or will the end clips be sufficient enough to hold the ends in place?
need to add a joist to catch the ends, fasteners don't work on end cuts
Double joist at every butt joint
Good job carpenter----now I am prepped to trex the entire Nation!"Psalm 118:22
I have no clue on your areas, but the treated lumber sold at both my local Lowe's is pure trash. I would HIGHLY recommend you PAINT that wood really well if you want it to last. It will add cost and time to do so, but it will also add a lot more life to the treated lumber.
Hi Josh, can I just replace a few boards as not all of the cedar boards I have are bad and I really can't afford to do it all at once.
You could but I don’t recommend that. You would be better off just replacing them all at once you can’t afford it. IMO
@@TheExcellentLaborer ... Wouldn't he have to validate the boards are 12" center?
According to the web... For 16" center you have to measure to 48" then pull two boards and replace with three 12" on center.
Why does he use the deck screws at the end of the boards instead of using another spacer tab?
Looks good but I would have considered a breaker board to avoid butt joints
Using trex enhance basic. Lowe’s said no Starter board in that style. Can I use the starter board you used on the enhance basic ?
Why do you need special 'made for composite' screws. Why not regular decking screws?
Joists @ 12" OC is effing overkill! 16" would be more than adequate for deck loading. I'm an architect.
Actually 12" is best for Trex or any composite decking as it sags on 16" center.
16 on center has flex to it... I'm not an architect but I do have experience and something you can't get from college.. enough common sense to know when you shouldn't talk about things you don't know about
Is the Trex Material cost going up as the wood prices?
I would bet on it.
I haven’t noticed a huge price increase but definitely could go up with building material.
One thing to be aware of is Trex can get mold and stained if you do not keep it clean. Experience speaking.
I heard that too. Stay tuned!
@@TheExcellentLaborer The main issue was the mold would penetrate the surface. I cleaned and pressure washed etc. That got rid of the mold but changed the color. The trick is to not let mold get started. I had the mold at a summer home that I didn't go to for months at a time.
How do you know where to spice each top board so the splices are uniform? I know each end needs to attach to a joist.
Pre measure before starting the deck to figure where the end of the trex will stop. That is how you figure out where to add the extra joist. Hope that helps!
Where are the blocking between the floor joists
Composite decking seems to be a lot more work to install than regular old fashion wood.
You have to tighten the same screw three times. That alone is three times the work. Not sure I like it.
You don't have to use hidden fasteners you can just face screw all the boards like you would have traditional deck
why do you use 4'' screws on a 1'' board ?
TREX will expand and contract with temperature changes. Can get VERY hot in the sun. TREX will move, warp and possibly buckle over time. Long after you paid the contractor. Very expensive for an average at best product. Not recommended
Yes it does expand and contract a lot. It seems to be a good product to me. The test of time will definitely be the true test. Stay tuned!
So does wood. Your point?
I think composite decking today is superior to most wood. No maintenance. Pretty tough stuff. I don't bother with the clips just screw it down and walk away.
Tree is garbage I’ve been repairing this stuff all over my town no one knows how to install it and it falls to pieces after a couple of years do not recommend to any customers
do you really need three inch screws?
without a picture frame
The way you presented and illustrated the method you use to install this composite board decking is an excellent example of useful, solid information. I liked the intelligent manner you spoke to us as your viewers. This is exactly what a DIY video should be. You nailed it.
Thank you very much! I do try to make my videos, simple and easy to understand. I appreciate the kind words. Stay tuned for more!
The best deck installation video I have ever watched. I learned a lot and I just started my decking project. I will publish mine probably within two weeks. Thanks, bro for the pro tips.
Best composite deck install video! (2 things I've seen, is use hard a rubber mallet to snug up boards vs metal hammer & put down joist tape to waterproof& protect top edges)
Thank you Tom! Good tips!
As a Master Carpenter,
I need to give you a thumbs up,
very good explanation!
I really do appreciate that Simon! I enjoy building decks and houses. Be sure to stay tuned for more content to come!
Just did this on my girlfriends deck a few days ago. Only suggestion I have is not to use an impact driver, but rather a decent drill/driver with a clutch. I started with the impact driver and snapped several screwheads. Fortunately they aren't that hard to remove. But of course trex doesn't give a you even one extra screw just in case. Either way, with my drill/driver and clutch set on 13, I never broke another one. And as others are saying, you will struggle with the longer boards that are slightly warped. Main suggestion is to have somebody else helping you that can hold the warped end in place until you get your next board placed. After those clips are all in, it should hold its place.
I’m glad to hear from a fellow DIYer! Yes I have a lot of experience with the impact a know when to release so I don’t damage the screws. A clutch is handy. Thanks for watching!
Fun fact- Trex only costs 25% more than pressure treated decking boards at this time 🤯. So why not just buy Trex?
That’s not bad at all. Looks GREAT!
Thanks Kenny. I like the looks of the hidden fasteners too. Clean finish. You will be building one soon😀
I’ve been telling my customers the same things
Do they take your advice?
@@TheExcellentLaborer they have been lately. Building costs are nuts at the moment so like you said 20-30% isn’t a big difference.
Rather than a steel hammer, use a rubber mallet, or better yet, some clamps. Two or three clamps can hold a board tight to the fasteners along the whole length. I've also found it handy to have the box o' fasteners on a wheeled dolly, which makes it easy to pull the box (and you tools) with you as you move back and forth across the deck.
or a piece of scrap wood
you are right , this man is doing good, however using a steel hammer? even a pro forget things, a rubber mallet is the perfect thing to use...
Use the handle of the hammer.
Excellent video! Since this deck is covered, the joists are fine without being protected. However it should be noted that the tops of the joists need to have joist tape on them if they are exposed to the elements. I had to replace my entire deck, joists and everything after only 15 years. The joists rotted from the top down, even though they were treated. Joist tape protects the joists from water damage and rot.
Thank you Mr. Jones; I had the same question on the previous video on joist installation.
@@dgriffin6074 You're welcome. As stated, I learned this the hard way.
Neatly done ✅ and well explained with the minor details. Good teacher! All the best in your future quality projects.
Thank you so much Roh! I appreciate that. I try to get a video out 1-2 times a week. Stay tuned!
Or better yet, use a rubber mallet.
You explain everything so well! Thank you for the video, best 14 minutes ever.
Thank you!
I just resurfaced by myself a 600 sq ft deck using Trex and those hidden fastners and they drove me crazy dealing with mostly 16 ft boards.Not only very expensive, over 300.00 bucks just in fastners but a real pain as they want to fall out of the bowing board. I will go back to a Cortex type or Camo from now on.
@@tailgatecarpenter26 much less., $75 vs $250
There is no fast way to do this.. Great video and thank you
I made another Trex installation video. Checkout my channel to see more trex decking tips! Trex Decking supplies: www.amazon.com/shop/theexcellentlaborer?listId=5331YJTUWEUW&ref=inf_list_own_theexcellentlaborer
It's not there Oct. 19, 2022
Funny I am just starting the composite decking on the home I am on. Jumping out of the truck now. Thanks Josh
That is funny. Are you going to record some footage while doing it?
Yes I was but now I feel like I am copying you!
But yes I am
Do it man! I’ll watch and learn your technique.
Great!
Love that u made sure to talk about the eighth inch gaps in the but joints I like to router the but joints / break the edge but I must have that eight inch on the buts or quarter on the edge for expansion expecially in my climate with changing seasons
Yes the gap is critical! I’m amazing on how much it expands and contracts. It is the nature of composite.
i like more staggered joints
never having used trex why dont you screw top planks to the joists instead of all those clips?
The look