Deck Picture Frame Framing
Deck Picture Frame Framing - Copyright 2017 Tim Carter
If you want to really add that special touch to your deck, you should consider using two different colored decking boards.
That's what I'm doing with a deck I'm building. I'm using Trex Transcend and my wife has selected the deep Lava Rock color along with the lighter Tiki Torch for the main deck boards.
Many deck designers are incorporating a picture frame look where the outer edge of the deck is one, two or three boards of the one color and the the field area of the deck is the other color.
To ensure that the decking is properly supported where the picture frame boards run parallel to the main deck joists, you need to put in blocking. You also need to add a secondary joist or nailer that catches the ends of the field boards that would otherwise float in the space between the two end joists.
Look at the photo below. It's the right side of my new deck.
This is classic picture-frame blocking for a deck that has the decking going two different directions. Read the June 23, 2016 AsktheBuilder Newsletter for more information on the new deck. Photo credit: Tim Carter
Can you see how the blocking between the decks will provide the 16-inch-on-center support for the two 5.5-inch wide Lava Rock boards that will be put on?
The vertical 2x4 that's nailed in the notched blocking will support the ends of the main field Tiki Torch decking boards so they don't droop down should you stand on them.
It's not hard to install this blocking. You just need to think out where the picture frame ends and where the regular decking starts.
Tim -
Will your deck have a slight slope to it to facilitate drainage or is it going to be dead flat?
Trex sounds like a great product. Do you have any pictures of a deck that has endured multiple winters that you have so often described at your residence?
Just curious - why the vegetation wasn't removed prior to construction.
Last June you mentioned you would be creating a video of your Trex Transcend project. I cannot find them on your web site. Are you happy with the results? Thanks.
Well we were waiting to have all the annual flowers planted and that just was completed on Friday. I'd like them to grow a little bit before we tape the video. Look for it in about a month. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Trex Trascend!!!!! So does my wife Kathy.
Interesting idea for the blocking. I was going to install a new ledger where you have the 2x4 and block that way, however if I do it with a new ledger I was wondering hoe I would have room to fasten the blocking as the two ledgers would be very close. How should I fasten if I went with the ledger?