Installation Guide

5 FIBERONDECKING.COM
Pre-Installation (continued)
SPECIAL NOTE ON BLOCKING PATTERNS
When installing additional blocking, remember that solid blocking
(blocking laid at) will inhibit water ow and result in buildup
of organic materials over time, which will make cleaning more
difcult and can cause eventual damage to the material. When
blocking is required, install ladder style for best results.
HEAVY LOADS
When installing heavy loads such as a hot tub on your decking
project, ensure that you understand and follow all of the
manufacturer’s requirements related to framing and support. These
may affect decking warranty coverage.
Ladder Style Blocking
Joists
TOOLS REQUIRED
Power
drill
1/8 in.
(3.2 mm)
countersinking
drill bit
Safety
goggles
Tape
measure
Torpedo level
Speed
square
Miter saw Pencil
Adjustable
square
Minimum 4 ft.
(122 mm) level
Surface Fastening and Fascia Installation
DECK FASTENING REQUIREMENTS
All brands of Fiberon decking may be surface-fastened. Use only screws designed for composite decking. Avoid using plain, galvanized
surface fasteners. Do not use traditional bugle-head screws. For best results, use either minimum #8 x 2.5 in. stainless steel or composite
deck screws. The Cortex
®
hidden fastener system can also be used as the screws are engineered specically to work with composite
decking and prevent mushrooming, resulting in more pleasing nished projects. Sufciently long annular thread, ring shank, and spiral
shank nails all have excellent holding power. However, screws have superior holding power.
FOR BEST RESULTS
1. Screw heads must be ush with board surface or countersunk
if using Cortex fasteners with color-matched Cortex plugs.
2. Pre-drilling is recommended for surface screw fasteners. It is
also necessary for end-of-board screw holes in cold climates
to prevent immediate or eventual end splitting. Pre-drilling all
holes will result in more pleasing nished projects.
3. Use caution to avoid over-tightening fasteners, or it may
induce cracking at board ends and could lead to eventual
cracking around other fasteners.
4. Do not surface-fasten within 1-1/2 in. (38.1 mm) of the end of
a board or within 1 in. (25.4 mm) from the side of the board.
Deck board
1-1/2 in. (38.1 mm)
from board end
Added
joist/blocking
1-1/2 in.
(38.1 mm)