Installation Guide

Page 3
Installing TimberTech
®
Decking
Extreme Heat Warning
Expansion and Contraction
Gapping Requirements For All TimberTech Boards
For a Wildlife Urban Interface compliant installation per
SFM Boards 12-7A-4A, the following products should be
used with the side-to-side gapping below:
Working With TimberTech Boards
Color and Temperature
Excessive Construction Debris
Calculating Material Requirements
Be aware of excessive heat on the surface of TimberTech
products from external sources, such as but not limited to,
fire,hot ashes/embers, fire pits, grills, or reflection of
sunlight from Low-emmissivity energy-efficient window
products. Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass can potentially harm
TimberTech products. Low-E glass is designed to prevent-
passive heat gain within a structure and can cause unusual
heat build-up on exterior surfaces. This extreme elevation of
surface temperatures, which exceeds that of normalexpo-
sure, can possibly cause TimberTech products to melt, sag,
warp, discolor, increase expansion/contraction, andaccelerate
weathering. Current or potential TimberTechcustomers that
have concerns about possible damage by Low-E glass should
contact the manufacturer of the product which contains
Low-E glass for a solution to reduce or eliminate the effects
of reflected sunlight.
TimberTech deck boards will expand, contract, move, and
gap with changes in temperature. Expansion and
contraction are most significant where extreme temperature
changes occur. Fastening the deck boards according to
the gapping requirements noted in the following table
accommodates for this movement.
It is recommended to add additional framing, tighter joist
spacing (6 to 8” maximum). Also, only use top-down fastening
in these locations such as near glass, areas of high heat build
or sunlight reflection.
Changes in length are most significant during the installation
process, and should be accounted for if working in extreme
temperatures. A good example would be cutting your boards
during a hot afternoon, letting them sit outside overnight
in the cool air and then installing them the next morning.
Chances are, you will notice a certain amount of contraction.
The best way to minimize this problem is to fasten your
boards as soon after cutting as possible.
• Side-to-side board gapping must be minimum 1/8” to
maximum 3/16”
• Allow 3/16” minimum gap where the boarding meets
any adjoining structure or post.
• Follow these butt joint gapping guidelines for all
TimberTech boards:
• TimberTech EDGE Premier Square Shouldered Deck
ing installed with edge to edge gap spacing of 1/8”
• Timbertech PRO Reserve-FR Grooved Decking
installed with edge to edge gap spacing of a maximum
3/16” [minimum 1/8”]
• TimberTech PRO Reserve-FR Square Shouldered
Decking installed with edge to edge gap spacing of
1/8”
Although TimberTech products are cooler to the touch than
many other deck board products in similar colors, all decking
products will get hot in the sun. Additionally, the darker the
decking color, the hotter it will feel.
It is important during construction, that the deck’s surface
stay clear from excessive build-up of dirt, sand, and dust
fromt tile, concrete, landscape blocks, or any other masonary
products. If these materials are not removed immediately,
the deck surface will become difficult to clean and can
potentially damage the deck’s surface finish. TimberTech
Decking should not be used as a work surface. If a
build-up does occur please refer to the Care and Cleaning
section in TimberTech Decking Care & Cleaning Guide”
Also refer to C&C guide or website,
www.TimberTech.com
To determine how much TimberTech decking material you
will need, start by calculating the square footage of your.
deck surface by multiplying length by width. Once you know
this number, divide it by the numbers provided below for 12’
boards, 16’ boards and 20’ boards.
Once you know the square footage number, divide it by 5.5 for
12’ boards, 7.3 for 16’ boards and 9.1 for 20’ boards.
When calculating the amount of decking you will need, it is
recommended that you add roughly 10% to the total for a
scrap factor.
Example: Length x Width = Total Square Footage
Square Footage ÷ by 5.5 (12’), 7.3 (16’) or 9.1 (20’) = Boards
Needed (Round the number up)
Boards Needed + 10% (Scrap Factor) = Final Number of
Boards Needed (Round the number up)
Butt Joint Gapping Requirements
32° F and below 33° F to 74° F 75° F and above
1/8” gap 1/32” gap3/16” gap