Replacing deck boards on a 12'x16' deck?

Question

I have a 12'x16' deck off the back of my house. The deck boards run the long way (the 16' length), and are rotting and splintering. I want to replace them. I noticed at Home Depot that they sell 16' decking boards, but I also noticed that my current deck has smaller pieces (ie, a 12' piece butted up against a 4' piece, or an 8' piece butted up against another 8' piece). I thought if I just got 25 16' pieces, I'd have no cuts to make. Does it work like this? Is there any reason why I can't just use 16' boards to eliminate any breaks in the wood?

Answer 1

You can use the 16' deck boards.  You will still have to cut them.  You will notice that they come a little over 16'.  Most the boards I recently installed on a deck are anywhere from 1/4" to as much as 1.5" longer than the 16'.   So you'll have to trim them up on one end.  The key to using wood deck boards is to put a good sealer with UV protection on them every year, preferably in the spring.  The sun is what's REALLY hard on the wood, more so than the rains.  Don't be afraid to butt them up against each other either.  They will shrink and still leave a good 1/4" gap between the boards no matter what you do.  If you use anything other than wood, the rules all change.        

Answer 2

first check underneathe to make sure all the framing is good useless to replace all deck boards if framing is also shot  if all supports are good then i would recommend the man made boards usally made of recycled material  they are slightly more expensive but they are essentially maintenance free which means no more coating or sanding every couple of years follow manufactures directions

Answer 3

It is better to use full lengths.  It makes your deck stronger.  It is only when you are using a wood that is exotic, or more expensive that you use smaller pieces.  The longer the length of wood, the more costly it will become.  Price 1 by 6 pressure treated and cedar, and you will see the difference between 16 ft lengths, and 8 ft lengths.