Things You'll Need
1,500-RPM electric drill
2 1/2-inch stainless steel decking screws
1/8-inch drill bit
Circular saw
Carbide saw blade
Tape measure
Safety goggles
Hidden fasteners
Veranda brand decking boards are formed from a special composite materials that offer many benefits over traditional wood. The composite material consists of polymer resins and plastics combined with pulp fibers. Pressing the composite into molds allows for the creation of boards featuring a realistic wood-grain surface. Special dyes are added to mimic the colors of both rare and common woods. Veranda decking resists fading and damage better than natural materials, and the installation is not very different from building a wood deck.
Step 1
Lay the first board of the decking and line it up to the edge of the outer joist. Fasten the board to the joist with a 2 1/2-inch stainless steel decking screw every 16 inches. Countersink each screw and continue down the length of the outer joist with more boards.
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Step 2
Attach the hidden fastener tabs that come with the Veranda decking to the slots on the inside of the first row of boards. The Veranda company recommends drilling a screw through the opening in the center of each of these fasteners at a 90-degree angle. Do not add fasteners where the slot in the board is not directly over a joist.
Step 3
Snap the next row of boards onto the open tab of the hidden fastener. Each board features grooves that fit the tab, allowing the decking to stay in place without as many screws as a wood board. The manufacturer does recommend drilling a pilot hole in the center of each board and adding a hidden fastener and deck screw to prevent unwanted movement.
Step 4
Add an 8-inch-long block of 2-by-4 lumber to joists where two Veranda decking boards butt together. Use a decking screw to attach the block to one side of the joist, directly under where the boards meet. Install two hidden fasteners so both boards are equally anchored.
Step 5
Check your gaps. The hidden fasteners should hold the boards about 3/16 inch apart, which is the recommended amount of space for proper drainage, according to Veranda. Leave at least 1/4 inch between the boards and solid materials like the walls of your home. Leave a 1/8 inch gaps when boards are joined from end to end.
Step 6
Cut decking that overlaps over the sides of the deck with a carbide blade on a circular saw. Cutting at a 90-degree angle creates a smooth edge that does not detract from the overall look of the finished deck.
Step 7
Add a border of fascia around the edges of the exterior boards to hold them in place. Installing Veranda brand deck railing or balustrade also does this, so fascia is not needed if you finish the deck with these products.
Tip
Lay out the boards on the deck joists before beginning installation. Check that each board is supported by a joist every 16 inches, or add more blocking to prevent bowing of the material.
Warning
Wear protective goggles when cutting the boards to avoid eye injury from irritating dust.
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