2x6 PT decking, space or no space

[4EyedTurd]

Getting close to putting decking down on new porch and know pressure treated wood shrinks some over time. What do you guys think butt the wood tight or a nail gap between each one?

Also staining it, is it worth it to stain the entire board before installing or do it after its screwed to the porch and just the top and sides?

[8mpg]

if you get the shit from lowes/HD no space. The wood is so wet and heavy its going to shrink.

If you buy quality wood like Yellawood that is kiln dried, space it because its already dried and ready for stain.

Id only stain the visible sides. Thats where the water is going to hit. The best preventative is actually treating the joists with something like a peel and stick membrane. Here is a video on it:

[juiceweezl]

Getting close to putting decking down on new porch and know pressure treated wood shrinks some over time. What do you guys think butt the wood tight or a nail gap between each one?

Also staining it, is it worth it to stain the entire board before installing or do it after its screwed to the porch and just the top and sides?

As noted, if you use KDAT (kiln dried after treatment), then space. If it's standard PTW (what you see sitting out in a yard or at the big boxes), leave a space.

Wood will settle on a moisture content of around 15-17% typically. Most PTW that I see (and that we test in our lab) is around 25-28% moisture content. Sometimes it's way higher than that.

One thing to note -- be careful which screws you use if you go with KDAT lumber. As it draws moisture and expands, it can break hardened deck screws.

[beefed88]

if you get the shit from lowes/HD no space. The wood is so wet and heavy its going to shrink.

If you buy quality wood like Yellawood that is kiln dried, space it because its already dried and ready for stain.

Id only stain the visible sides. Thats where the water is going to hit. The best preventative is actually treating the joists with something like a peel and stick membrane. Here is a video on it:

On a side note the Matt risinger videos on YouTube are great.

[03mustangdude]

Just curious why not use composite board for a deck that small? The cost difference isnt that much different when you figure in the stain cost and time.

[BlackGT]

Make sure the screws are corrosion resistant/coated. The pressure treatment chemicals will rust non treated/coated screws really fast...

[4EyedTurd]

The frame is 20x8 and built out of 2x4 metal tubing that's primed. I still need to figure out what color to paint the frame then throw some wood on it. I asked this question on another forum and most said no gap since I'm using the shit from HD.