Hardwood Decking Installation Tips

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Installation Tips

Jobsite Storage/Acclimation

Exterior Use Hardwoods for decking, pergolas, siding, soffits or other exterior applications need to be properly acclimated to the environment before installation. The reason is moisture content. Tropical hardwoods will, over time, come to equilibrium with the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Depending on the climate, the average moisture content can vary from 10% to 18%. Kiln-dried hardwoods are recommended for dry climates to reduce shrinkage, cupping, and checking while the lumber acclimates.

TimberTown uses kiln-dried Garapa, Tigerwood, and Cumaru which will have a moisture content of 10%-12%; this adds stability during acclimation. Ipe typically comes air-dried because the density keeps the product from warping or cupping during acclimation, but it can also be kiln-dried for extremely dry climates or interior use. The acclimation period depends on the starting moisture content of the wood and the climate/temperature, but a good rule of thumb is 2-3 weeks in a dry space.

Interior Use When used in interior applications like walls and ceilings, all tropical hardwoods should be kiln-dried to 6%-8% moisture content. Air-conditioned spaces like homes and office buildings typically have less moisture in the air, so air-dried lumber will experience more shrinkage, cupping, and warping when installed inside, especially if it’s been milled. When using KD hardwoods at 6%-8% MC be sure to bring the product inside an air-conditioned space as soon as the material arrives to avoid too much moisture reentering the wood.

Safety

Ipe and other hardwoods are more dense, therefore heavier, than most other woods. Do not try to lift similar quantities of hardwoods compared to traditional softwoods. Most tropical hardwood dust is carcinogenic and can cause breathing problems, so dust masks and protective eye wear are recommended when cutting or sanding hardwoods.

Tools

Carbide tipped saw blades with fewer teeth (16 teeth on 7-1/4” blades) stay cooler, reduce friction when cutting, and stay sharper longer. When using a miter box saw, we recommend 10” or 12” saws with roughly 24 teeth on 10” blades and 32 teeth on 12” blades.

Drilling hardwoods (especially Ipe) can be a challenge with improper drill bits. High speed steel tends to fatigue quickly, causing the bit to dull faster or break. Titanium Nitride coated drill bits initially perform well, but as the coating wears so does the performance. Cobalt Alloy drill bits are the most effective when drilling into Ipe. When drilling, periodically lift the bit out of the hole to remove shavings.

HARDWOODS

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HARDWOOD

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Installation Tips

Tools (continued)

Board benders such as the BoWrench are highly effective in straightening crooked boards. These types of tools are typically self locking and can speed up production since another person is not needed to hold the board in place.

End Sealing

End sealing with a wax based product is imperative to minimize end checking. Checking (tiny cracks) occurs in all hardwood species upon moisture loss. Almost every hardwood decking mill waxes lumber ends prior to shipping. For best results, wax fresh cut ends immediately after cutting. A small folded rag lightly dipped into the wax product and dabbed on the cut end will work the best. Avoid waxing the surface of the deck board as this will cause staining. Excess wax on the surface can be scraped off with a putty knife and then lightly sanded in the specific area. When ripping boards, wax is not required on the straight grain, only on cross cut ends. Note: oil-based UV inhibiting products are not effective in preventing moisture loss at the ends.

Fastening

Stainless Steel fasteners are imperative when fastening Ipe and other hardwoods. The high level of Tannic Acid in hardwoods will cause a dark brown to black stain when fastening with Zinc coated fasteners such as galvanized screws. Coatings, found on most other types of non-Stainless fasteners, can separate from their Carbon Steel body when driven into a dense material such as Ipe. Once the coating is removed, bare Carbon Steel is left in direct contact with the board and will also cause staining. As a general rule, hardwoods will outlast most any decking product currently on the market, so use fasteners that can maintain a similar life cycle.

Face Screwing Face screwing is the most economical and efficient means of installing hardwood decking. Pre-drilling and counter sinking is necessary to avoid wood splitting and screw breakage.

Hidden Fasteners Hidden fasteners help to streamline labor versus face screwing and provide a “screwless” decking surface. Some hidden fastener systems provide automatic spacing.

Finishing

Applying a finish to hardwoods is not required, but is recommended to minimize fading due to Ultraviolet light exposure. A penetrating, pigmented, UV inhibiting oil is recommended to maintain the wood’s rich natural color.

HARDWOODS

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