How do you think it looks best to splice decking?

[petrho]

About to lay decking approximately 6x6 meters of 28x120 decking

I have lengths of 3.6 and 3.90, so it takes 2 boards per "length". About 70 cm between the joists

First building a border (frame) around the outer edge

How do you consider it to look best - to have the first joint at, for example, 3.5 and the next length at 2.5 and then alternately have them every other one? Or should one try to spread the joints more randomly? I don't want general joints...

What do you think will look best?

Then I wonder if you cut the length on site (with a circular saw/plunge saw) and then attach the final frame board at the end grain, or if you make the entire frame first and cut the boards to exact length?

 

[maah]

I think it looks best to spread out the joints; it’s very noticeable if you alternate every other board.

I cut the length on site with the circular saw (don’t own a plunge saw) to fit the border.

 

[Hasse C]

The neighbor has general gaps where the boards aren't even end-to-end. That's a no-go

I prefer a random yet orderly distribution of the joints. Avoid many joints at exits and places with heavy foot traffic, as there will always be little splinters that can catch in socks, etc.

Never place short boards over just two joists because they will flex.

Consider 145 mm instead of 120. Much more attractive and only marginally more expensive per sqm.

 

[Hasse C]

With 70 cm spacing between the joists, I would probably go for 34 mm thickness instead of 28.

 

[sulfobus]

IMO: Alternate splice and set fris only if absolutely necessary.

 

[fgo]

And screw the decking from underneath or hidden. It becomes much more stylish.

 

[petrho]

Considering now to go with 145x34. Want to place them tightly together as they will surely dry apart. Is it possible to do a hidden screwing?

 

[Snål-Jocke]

A general gap can look great if it is bordered by, say, 2 decking boards in the "other" direction. But this presumes that the finished surface doesn't look odd, otherwise it's a no-go.

By odd, I mean how it will look when finished, will potential furniture fit in one of the squares? Will there be a natural division, etc.

 

[Stringfellow Hawke]

Spread joints with a trim, I think, look the best.
Hidden screwing seems unnecessary. Lower the screw by 5mm, and it practically disappears.

 

[Cheesen]

About to install decking approximately 6x6 meters, 28x120 decking boards.

I have lengths of 3.6 and 3.90, so there will be 2 boards per "length," with about 70 cm between the joists.

First constructing a border (frame) around the outer edge.

What do you think looks best - having the first joint at, for example, 3.5, and the next length at 2.5, alternating like that? Or should one try to spread the joints more randomly? I don't want to have any continuous seams...

What do you think looks best?

Then I wonder if you cut the length on-site (with something like a circular saw/plunge saw) to then attach the last frame board at the end grain, or if you make the whole frame first and cut the boards to the exact length?

The only seam on our deck...

 

[fgo]

Now considering using 145x34. Want to lay them tightly together as they will surely dry apart. Is it then possible to do a hidden screw?

Absolutely, but in a different way than essve etc.

(stolen from google)

 

[buspojken]

Place a frieze in the middle, and you'll avoid any seams; I did this today on my deck, resulting in 2 friezes in total over a 12 m length.

 

[roli]

I use scattered joints since I have an irregular deck with many angles and rock adaptations.

If I had built a rectangular deck, then the frame variant with joints at the frame dividing the length would probably have been my choice, but such an option doesn't fit for us due to the rocks.

 

[petrho]

I usually bevel the end grain a little - the part that rests against the frieze. Do you also bevel the joints?

 

[maah]

Yep, round it off a bit with a rasp.