Deck building - bark side up or down?

[BgBmBoo]

Guys I'm getting ready to lay my deck surface tomorrow and am looking for input on which direction to lay the boards. Bark side up or bark side down? Or should I look at each board and lay according the the direction the board is wanting to go? Seems there are a lot of opinions on which way to lay the boards to minimize cupping. I'm using standard PT lumber.

Appreciate any input!

 

[The Cobbler]

it used to always bark side up. now it seems to be, whatever side is best looking.
but bark side up will normally cup high in the middle so water runs off

 

[ItsNemo]

it used to always bark side up. now it seems to be, whatever side is best looking.
but bark side up will normally cup high in the middle so water runs off

This, want the middle part of the board higher so that water runs off and the boards feel better under foot.

 

[Kevin54]

Crown side up.

 

[tarmy]

Look at the grain...depending on your supplier, you could have a mixture of things in the load. Typically, the short rings go down...as others said...so when they dry and cup a bit they crown.

 

[southalabama]

I concur
Bark up

 

[Kaizen]

Like a rainbow. Good to go. Hope you are screwing it down at each joist x2


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BgBmBoo]

Thanks guys, you are all confirming what common sense was telling me. I decided to go with the CAMO system on this build. Two screws per joist, joists on 12" centers.

Should be a nice day, hope to make some progress.

 

[pattenp]

I've done lots of decks over the years and the bark side up doesn't always mean the board will cup in the way you may think. I've had plenty to cup upwards on the edges with the bark side up. I look at the board end profile and can usually see which way it is most likely to cup. So my advice is not to blindly go with bark side up.

 

[acer66]

Crown side up.

This.

 

[Zeke]

Just for the archives since the choice has been made, stay away from boards with any heart center. Vertical grain is best but you won't get that in decking and it's too costly anyway. You'd just use manufactured decking for that cost.

 

[BgBmBoo]

I've done lots of decks over the years and the bark side up doesn't always mean the board will cup in the way you may think. I've had plenty to cup upwards on the edges with the bark side up. I look at the board end profile and can usually see which way it is most likely to cup. So my advice is not to blindly go with bark side up.

Yeah I noticed that pretty quickly. I’ve been using a level on each board as I go and I can usually tell which way the board is wanting to cup.

Thanks again for all the input guys, decks coming along nicely.

 

[manwithtools]

Don't be surprised if they end up cupping the opposite way when they dry out. I've just about given up on standard treated decking material. It's fast growth, soaking wet garbage for the most part. Loews did (may still) offer a premium deck board, almost clear of knots and sap wood. Very straight and little waste. Much better than the standard stuff, still not perfect.

If you have a very big deck to build, get yourself a Stanley board bender. They are the handiest tool you can have for deck building.

Allows one man straightening of crooked deck boards and "persuasion" of framing members.

I hope you are installing the deck boards with minimal to no gaps between them. Once they dry they will have the perfect spacing. If you install them with 1/8" - 3/16" gaps, you will have major spaces when dry - 3/8" - 1/2" - enough to catch a women's high heel shoe in them.

 

[walrus]

plastic decking and no worries

 

[manwithtools]

plastic decking and no worries

Other than hot on the feet

I've used the composite and have mixed feelings. If it was available and I could afford it, I'd use redwood and take good care of it.

 

[tarmy]

Other than hot on the feet

I've used the composite and have mixed feelings. If it was available and I could afford it, I'd use redwood and take good care of it.

I have a deck and dock that uses “cool deck” material...can be over 100 and no problem to walk on...

 

[JoeMcGov]

Did I read (or "hear") anywhere that ya want pilot holes in the decking material? Did I? Hmmm. Not sure I did.

You want pilot holes. But at this point in the day you have either...............or................

Look >>>>>> a squirrel.

 

[walrus]

Other than hot on the feet

I've used the composite and have mixed feelings. If it was available and I could afford it, I'd use redwood and take good care of it.

I'm in Maine no such worries Right now its covered with 1 inch of ice after Fridays ice storm and snow.

 

[manwithtools]

I'm in Maine no such worries Right now its covered with 1 inch of ice after Fridays ice storm and snow.

You are correct about that sir. My time in IN, TN and now CA all have that as a factor.

You have pointed out an advantage of being in the northern climes I had not considered.

 

[acer66]

I have a deck and dock that uses “cool deck” material...can be over 100 and no problem to walk on...

What is that?