How thick are pressure treated deck boards?

This dimension is 1 to 1-1/4 inches thick. Any less thickness produces a springy, weak deck. Joist spacing also determines how thick your deck boards must be. Joists spaced 16 inches on center will take both 5/4 and 2-inch deck boards (which are actually 1-1/2 inches thick).

In respect to this, what size boards are used for decking?

Wood decking is commonly available in 2x6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2x6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.

Additionally, how wide is a 2x8 pressure treated board?

Softwood lumber sizes (pine, spruce, fir)
Nominal dimensions	Actual sizes in inches	Measurements in milliliters
2 x 6	1 1/2 x 5 1/2	38 x 140
2 x 8	1 1/2 x 7 1/4	38 x 184
2 x 10	1 1/2 x 9 1/4	38 x 235

In this way, what is the actual thickness of a 5 4 deck board?

Hardwood Lumber Dimensions

Nominal Size	Rough Size	Actual Size: Surfaced 2 Sides
5/4 inch	1 1/4 inch	1 1/16 inch (27 mm)
6/4 inch	1 1/2 inch	1 5/16 inch (33 mm)
8/4 inch	2 inches	1 3/4 inch (44 mm)
12/4 inch	3 inches	2 3/4 inch (70 mm)

What width are decking boards?

Decking widths typically range from 90mm to 150mm, with 120mm and 140mm in between.

38 Related Question Answers Found

What size wood should I use for decking frame?

Wood is the usual material used for decking. The lumber should be pressure treated to avoid rot and decay. Some of the most common wood used are cedar, redwood, fir and pine. There are decks that use concrete posts for support but wooden posts are the usual.

Should deck boards have a gap?

The goal is to have about an 1/8-inch gap (the diameter of an 8d nail) between boards after the decking has dried to its equilibrium moisture content. If the decking is installed wet, as is often the case for pressure treated material, it is best to install the boards tight, letting gaps form as the wood dries.

Can I use 2x6 for deck joists?

2x6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Most decks use 16" on center spacing for joists. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16".

Should you countersink deck screws?

If you are face-driving deck screws, it is acceptable to “self-countersink” them. Some deck screws even have a little cutter head built into the screw, to facilitate countersinking.

Can I use regular lumber for a deck?

Both pine and standard "white wood" lumber work well for deck construction. Some pines are nearly as resistant to rot as cedar, and both of these options take paint well. When it comes to cost, there are few cheaper options.

What is the best wood to use for decks?

Wood Materials

The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. Redwood and cedar are both naturally insect and rot resistant and have a natural look, but each has its own inherent issues.

How wide is a 4x4 post?

The lumber industry defines standard wood post sizes as 4x4 or 6x6. The outside dimensions of the standard 4x4 measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2", and the outside dimensions of the standard 6x6 measure 5-1/2" x 5-1/2".

What is the actual size of lumber?

Lumber Dimensions

Nominal	Actual	Actual - Metric
2" x 4"	1-1/2" x 3-1/2"	38 x 89 mm
2" x 6"	1-1/2" x 5-1/2"	38 x 140 mm
2" x 8"	1-1/2" x 7-1/4"	38 x 184 mm
2" x 10"	1-1/2" x 9-1/4"	38 x 235 mm

Which side of a deck board goes down?

A board that is correctly installed right side up (or bark side down) will form a crown and allow water to run off the edges. If the board is installed wrong side up (or bark side up) it will curve up on the edges when dry and water can gather and sit in the cup. That is a recipe for wood rot and problems.

What are deck boards called?

Balusters — The vertical boards that attach to the handrails. Sometimes called spindles. Beams — The horizontal boards that are attached to the post to help carry the weight. Joists — Typically 2 x 8 boards that are installed perpendicular and between beams to help distribute weight and hold up the decking boards.

How far can deck boards span?

Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches.

Can you use 2x4 for decking?

All that said, as you state, it's not treated lumber. Unless it is cedar, you likely won't get much life out of it as a decking material--unless you have plans to refinish it each and every year. The 2x4 also wouldn't make for a sufficient floor joist, so you'd have to use new structural lumber for that anyways.

What is the actual size of a 1x6 board?

A 1x6, for example, actually measures 3/4" x 5 1/2". In this case, the planing is necessary for a smoother surface, so that the board could be used for interior applications.

What are standard board sizes?

Common Dimensional Lumber Sizes

Dimensional Lumber: Nominal Size vs. Actual Size
Two-by-four or 2 x 4	1 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches
Two-by-six or 2 x 6	1 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches
Two-by-eight or 2 x 8	1 1/2 inches x 7 1/4 inches
Two-by-ten or 2 x 10	1 1/2 inches x 9 1/4 inches

How thick is a 2x8?

Nominal vs. Actual

2x Lumber
2x4	1-1/2 x 3-1/2
2x6	1-1/2 x 5-1/2
2x8	1-1/2 x 7-1/4
2x10	1-1/2 x 9-1/4

How thick is a 2x10?

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber

Nominal Size	Actual Size
2 x 4	1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38 x 89 mm)
2 x 6	1 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)
2 x 8	1 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (38 x 184 mm)
2 x 10	1 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm)

What is the widest piece of lumber?

Lumber that's 5 inches or thicker with a width more than 2 inches greater than the thickness. Graded as Select Structural, 1, or 2, with Select Structural being the strongest.

Construction.

Nominal Width	Anywhere on Wide Face	Unsound or Loose Knots & Holes
2″	3/4”	5/8”
3″	1-1/4”	3/4”
4″	1-1/2”	1”