SELECTING A DECKING PATTERN

The possibilities for creating patterns out of decking boards are almost endless, but there are only a few that would be successful on any given deck. These general principles, along with the illustrated examples, will help guide you in choosing a pattern.

• On long rectangular decks, boards laid crosswise create a somewhat serene and restful feeling. Boards laid the long way accentuate the length of the deck and "drive'' you from one end to the next rather than invite you to stay and rest.
• Borders, whether a single trim board or a wide margin, give a finished feeling to the deck.
• On small decks, simple patterns work better than intricate patterns.
• If boards are laid diagonally, it should be for a clear reason. They should reflect a dominant angle in the house or landscape, direct the eye to a clear focal point, or guide traffic to a doorway or stairs.
• Complex or intricate patterns accentuate rather than hide the defects in boards. It would be better to spend money on a premium grade of lumber rather than the labor and wasted material required for complex patterns otherwise, simply consider pointing the boards.

Diagonal

Difficulty: moderate

Structure: The diagonal pattern assumes the location of the boards at an angle of 45% relative to the deck frame. The boards connected on a single joist. Boards may not have a joint if the deck is not large and the boards are long enough. This pattern can use the standard deck frame that built for a regular parallel decking except for the smaller distance between joists.

Features: A diagonal pattern is widely used by deck builders. A diagonal pattern is one of the simplest options, requiring only a small amount of extra labor, mostly in trimming the deck boards at an angle. This design is well suited for multi-level decks of large size and irregular shape.

Price: $

diagonal

Basic

Difficulty: easy

Structure: This pattern is parallel to the frame arrangement of boards at an angle of 90 degrees to the joists. Depending on the material chosen, the distance between joists maybe 16 or more.

Features: the most common and inexpensive pattern at the present time. Great for decks of any size and shape. A deck built with this plank pattern is perfectly ventilated and has no areas where dirt and moisture accumulate and linger, and this lasts a long time.

Price: $

basic

Parallel strips

Difficulty: easy

Structure: practically no different from the basic pattern, except that the boards alternate in color. Considering that composite material is usually used for this pattern, it is necessary to reduce the distance between joists. For this, it is better to use boards from one manufacturer. They should be the same thickness, have the same type of fastening, and it is desirable to be from the same production line to be combined in color.

Features: This pattern combines the advantages of basic styling (practicality, durability, and price) with an interesting visual effect. It is advisable to make a 3D visualization before choosing a color combination of boards to avoid unpleasant surprises after installation.

Price: $

Parallel strips

Diamond

Difficulty: advanced

Structure: Taking it up another step, the diamond pattern offers good visual appearance while adding only two additional frame elements. We need joists installed parallel to the house and centered between the ledger and the end of the deck. In this pattern, we also need additional surfaces for attaching the planking. Just as with the V-shaped pattern, it takes more time making angled cuts because now it has four times as many as in the diagonal pattern. Этот узор имеет очень большой расход материала.

Features: This design is perfect for rectangular decks without cut corners and multi-level structures. Visually, the look is concentrated on the center of the deck where you can optionally place a custom deck inlay or just use different color boards for the central rhombus.

Price: $$$

Diamond

Parquet

Difficulty: advanced

Structure: The parquet pattern is a bit tricky. It looks simple, but it requires a special foundation to support the decking and provide proper surfaces for screws. The frame requires double joists in areas where the pattern connects, plus it needs blocks inside the pattern squares to support the deck planking. It all depends on the size of the "squares." If they're over 16" square, we'll need to add additional blocks. The advantage to this nice style is that the deck boards are all same square cut and installed quickly once the proper frame is done. This pattern is best suited for Ipe decks because of the texture and color of this wood species.

Features: this pattern is absolutely not suitable for decks of complex shape or with cut corners. Any change in the square geometry of the frame will disrupt the visual effect of the same square planking. The deck can have a great look if you use different color boards for vertical and horizontal squares. Due to a large number of board joints and the complex frame, this pattern is not the most durable.

Price: $$$

Parquet

45-degree Transition Board

Difficulty: moderate

Structure: this pattern is analogous to the usual transition board except that the boards are located at an angle of 45 degrees. Joists should also be located at an angle of 45 degrees, which certainly narrows the choice of designs for the deck. The distance between the Joists should be no more than 16 inches. The 45-degree transition board is one of the most expensive patterns.

Features: An interesting visual effect can be achieved by applying different colors for planking and the centerboard. Also, this design is perfectly combined with a picture frame pattern

Price: $$

45-degree Transition Board

Picture frame

Difficulty: moderate

Structure: this design is the usual parallel or angular arrangement of boards with the addition of one or two boards around the perimeter of the deck resembling a picture frame. The deck frame is built in the same way as for a regular pattern, but you need double joists around the perimeter to support perpendicular boards.

Features: this is generally not a complex and fairly common pattern. Great for composite decks since a combination of colors for planking and picture frame is possible.

Price: $$$

Picture frame

45- degree chess

Difficulty: moderate

Structure: this pattern is similar to the diagonal. The difference is that instead of long boards, short ones are used which are cut at an angle of 90 degrees. The board connection should fall on the joists. The frame boards have a 45 degrees direction relative to the edge of the frame.

Features: not a very common pattern due to the diagonal arrangement of joists and related problems. Best suited for large and multi-level decks. It is preferable to use an Ipe wood which will have an interesting visual effect due to short, often repeated planks.

Price: $$

45- degree chess

Transition Board

Difficulty: easy

Structure: two halves of parallel planking are separated by one or two boards located perpendicularly. The frame design is the same as the basic pattern with the addition of double joists to support the center board. Very often this style is combined with a picture frame.

Features: with a combination of colors for planking and the central board, you can achieve a more interesting deck design. This pattern is fast and cheap to install and suitable for any deck design. A deck using this pattern looks cleaner and more modern than a deck with a traditional planking style.

Price: $

Transition Board

Chess

Difficulty: easy

Structure: this style involves laying the same size of boards with joints at the same distance. The pattern repeats through one row. The frame is built exactly the same way as for the basic pattern. The size of the boards is determined regarding the size of the deck. This is not the most economical pattern but is perfect for decks in a modern style.

Features: this is not the most economical pattern, but is perfect for decks in a modern style. In some cases, it saves a lot of material, especially when applied to Ipe decks. A large number of joints adversely affects the durability of the deck.

Price: $$

Chess

Texture

Difficulty: easy

Structure: applicable only to those brands that have both - smooth and grooved boards. The frame is built the most ordinary. The alternation of grooved rows can be any, everything depends on the wishes of the client.

Features: very rarely used. This option is a great solution if the client already has grooved boards, but they are not enough to cover the entire deck.

Price: $

Texture

HERRINGBONE

Difficulty: advanced

Structure: This pattern needs a doubled joists wherever the pattern interlocks, to provide proper fastening surfaces. Although fewer angled cuts are needed than in some of the other patterns, this pattern itself is complicated and requires lots of labor and upfront deck frame planning.

Features: of all the decking patterns, the interlocking deck boards of a herringbone pattern offer one of the most interesting decking appearance. But along with visual effect comes more installation labor. Currently very rarely used due to the high price.

Price: $$$

HERRINGBONE

Triangle

Difficulty: moderate

Structure: the pattern consists of a combination of large triangles and squares with a mutually perpendicular arrangement of boards. The frame is built the same as the diagonal pattern. The only difference is the addition of double boards at the joints.

Features: visually something reminiscent of a Herringbone pattern but much easier to manufacture. A combination of colors and texture of planking boards is possible.

Price: $$

Triangle