• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Promotivia

Ideas. Innovation. Excellence.

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Construction
    • Education
    • Family
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Pet Care
    • Swimming Pool
    • Technology
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Planning for Decking Gaps

Last updated on December 20, 2018 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Cumaru decking boards

When you have a basic understanding of wood movement, you won’t be surprised at the idea that whatever size gap you put between decking boards, that gap will change throughout the year. As moisture levels shift, the boards will absorb and shed moisture, making the time of year you’re installing the deck a major factor in the size gap you should consider.

Seasonal Installation Differences

There’s no doubt about it: summer is the most popular time of year for decks to be installed. Of course, since that’s also when temperatures and moisture levels peak, it means that your boards will be swollen with as much moisture as they will ever hold, making gap spacing simple to plan. The wood fibers will have acted like a bundle of straws, sucking up the moisture in the air and expanding across the width of each board; the boards will contract as moisture levels shift throughout the year, but they will not further expand.

Swimming pool deck

As a result, you could install them with a miniscule gap, which would become a more significant gap during the colder, drier, winter months. (You would still want to include a small gap, though, in order to allow for drainage; otherwise, standing water can create movement issues that — trust us — you don’t want to have to think about.)

If your customer prefers that ideal ¼” gap in May, you’ll need to look up details about the specific species you’re using to see how much you can expect the boards to expand and contract throughout the year and plan accordingly, based on the timing of your installation.

Grooved Ipe decking boards

Environmental Differences

Not only do seasonal shifts make a difference, but so does the relative humidity in your geographic region and job site in particular. Sure, the higher the temperature, the greater amount of moisture the air can possibly hold, but that’s just relative. In a drier climate such as Denver, Colorado, you’ll find that a ¼” gap in the winter will remain approximately the same during the summer months, due to the relatively low humidity levels year round.

Ipe decking boards

Species Specifics

While all lumber will expand when in environments and seasons of greater moisture levels, not all lumber species will move at the same ratio. The anisotropic movement of wood will vary, based on both species and cut. For instance, Quartersawn boards move very little across the width of the board, while flatsawn boards experience much more movement.

In addition to how wood is cut, the species of wood will definitely play a role in determining movement. One handy method of looking up species-specific movement is the Woodshop Widget. You can plug in information such as size, moisture levels, temperature, and species in order to determine potential expansion and shrinkage, allowing you to plan gaps accordingly.

While there’s no right or wrong when it comes to deck size, it’s important to communicate clearly with your decking customers, making sure they realize that whatever size gap they request, the gap won’t be exactly the same every month of the year.

Red Balau deck

Discover More About the Lumber Industry

• Thinking Green: Wood vs. Bamboo
• Is Composite Decking Earth-Friendly?

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has become one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods. As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world. Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Filed Under: Construction

Additional Articles

walt disney world ipe boardwalk
Is Composite Decking or Tropical Decking Better for Boardwalk Construction? Part 3
ipe boardwalk at johns pass
Is Composite Decking or Tropical Decking Better for Boardwalk Construction? Part 2
disney boardwalk ipe
Is Composite Decking or Tropical Decking Better for Boardwalk Construction? Part 1
backyard inground pool and luxury contemporary home
Adding to the Outdoor Ambiance with Extras
metal fencing around pool
Adding to the Outdoor Ambiance with Structures
multi layer paths steps around pool
Adding to the Outdoor Ambiance with Pathways

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

two × one =

Primary Sidebar

Quality Wood Products
Plywood options

Featured Articles

  • Matching Lumber Color Is Trickier Than It Seems – Part 1
  • Good News for Forests & the Future: Why We Should Start Considering B Grade Lumber
  • Building an Ipe Deck That Lasts for Decades, Part 1
  • Lumber Pricing, Demystified (Part 1)
  • Why Do Large Timbers Have Cracks? Part 1
  • Is Lumber Sustainable?
  • Evaluating Issues Surrounding Teak, Part 1
  • FSC Lumber, LEED Certification, and the Price of Being Green
  • Mahogany Alternatives: A Wood Worker’s Top 3 Picks
  • Outlook for Genuine Mahogany’s Future, Part 1
Tropical Decking Lumber

Popular Articles

  • Expandable Children's Furniture at The Bedroom Source
  • African Mahogany Lumber vs Genuine Mahogany Lumber
  • The City Way: Taking Your Child’s Bed to the Next Level with Maxtrix!
  • Perfect Furniture for a Boy's Bedroom, Pt 1
  • Perfect Furniture for a Boy's Bedroom, Pt 2
  • How Do You Treat Reactive Attachment Disorder?
  • Ultra-Budget-Friendly Swimming Pool Upgrades
  • Why Sleep Is Important for Young Athletes
  • Why Parents Love Jackrabbit Class Management Software

Reader Feedback

  • DSP on Pool Maintenance Tips for Salt Water Pools, Part 1
  • Zachary Tomlinson on Amazing Benefits of Pool Ownership, Part 1
  • Zachary Tomlinson on 3 Types of Pool Covers, 3 Distinct Purposes
  • Afton Jackson on Bathroom Remodeling Ideas: Can You Use Wood in the Bathroom?
  • Alice Carroll on 4 Types of Vinyl Pool Liners
  • Afton Jackson on So You’re Adding an In-Ground Swimming Pool? Here’s What You Can Expect
  • Zachary Tomlinson on Why You Should Consider Installing a Backyard Swimming Pool – Part 3

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap