Decking Glossary
Explore 'The Ultimate Glossary of Deck Building Terms' - your comprehensive guide to deck construction language. Master key terms and concepts in decking, from materials to tools, ensuring your deck building projects in Saskatoon, Regina, Canada and beyond... are a success!
- Acrylic Coating: A water-based protective coating for decks, providing a durable surface.
- Adjustable Post Anchor: A hardware piece allowing adjustment of deck post positioning.
- Angled Decking: Decking boards installed at an angle to the joists.
- Balusters: Vertical spindles or rods that make up part of the railing.
- Beam Span: The distance a beam can support the deck joists without additional posts.
- Biscuit Joiner: A tool for cutting crescent-shaped holes for biscuit joinery in deck building.
- Board Bender: A tool used to straighten bent boards in deck construction.
- Box Sill: A framework of joists and headers at the perimeter of a deck.
- Camber: A slight upward curve in a beam or deck to prevent sagging.
- Cantilever: A long projecting beam fixed only at one end, used in deck construction.
- Capstock Decking: Composite decking with a protective outer layer for durability.
- Cedar Decking: Decking material made from cedar wood, known for its natural resistance to rot.
- Composite Decking: A durable decking material made from a blend of wood fibers and plastic.
- Deck Blocks: Pre-cast concrete foundations for decks that sit on the ground.
- Deck Footing: A concrete base that supports the deck's posts, providing stability.
- Deck Joists: Horizontal beams that support the decking boards.
- Deck Post: Vertical supports that hold up the deck structure.
- Deck Rails: The perimeter fence-like structure around a deck for safety.
- Deck Screws: Specialized screws used for deck construction, resisting rust and corrosion.
- Deck Sealer: A transparent coat that protects wood from moisture and UV damage.
- Deck Stain: A finish applied to wood decks to add color and protect against the elements.
- Decking Boards: Long planks used to create the surface of the deck.
- Decking Clip: A hidden fastener used for attaching decking boards to the joists.
- Decking Oil: An oil-based treatment to preserve and enhance the appearance of wooden decks.
- Decking Patterns: Designs created by the arrangement of decking boards.
- Decking Spacer: A tool used to ensure even spacing between decking boards.
- Eco-Friendly Decking: Decking made from sustainable, environmentally friendly materials.
- Edge Banding: A strip of material used to create a finished edge on decking material.
- End Grain: The small exposed area of a piece of wood at its end.
- Expansion Gap: A small space left between decking boards to allow for thermal expansion.
- Fascia Boards: Boards that cover the ends of deck joists for a clean finish.
- Fascia Mount: A method of attaching railings to the side of the deck, rather than the top.
- Flashing: Material used to prevent water from penetrating the junction of a deck and the house.
- Flashing Tape: An adhesive tape used to protect wooden deck frames from moisture.
- Flush Beam: A beam set level with the joists, creating a seamless deck surface.
- Footings: Concrete bases buried below frost line to support deck posts.
- Frieze Board: A decorative board at the top of a deck's siding, beneath the eave.
- Gazebo: A freestanding, roofed, usually open-sided structure providing a shady resting place.
- Girder: A large beam that supports the floor joists of a deck.
- Grain Pattern: The natural lines and textures in wood, affecting its appearance and strength.
- Grooved Decking: Decking boards with grooves for hidden fasteners, for a seamless look.
- Guardrail: A safety barrier installed along the edge of a deck to prevent falls.
- Hardwood Decking: Decking made from dense and durable hardwood species.
- Herringbone Pattern: A V-shaped weaving pattern used in decking for aesthetic appeal.
- Hidden Deck Fasteners: Fastening systems that conceal screws or nails for a smooth deck surface.
- Hidden Fasteners: Decking installation system that leaves no visible screws on the deck surface.
- Infill Panel: The panel, often made of wire or glass, that fills the space between deck railings.
- Interlocking Deck Tiles: Tiles that lock together to create a deck surface, easy to install.
- Isolation Membrane: A material used to prevent moisture transfer between the deck and the house.
- Jamb: The side post or lining of a doorway or window, used in deck structures.
- Jig: A tool used to control the location or motion of another tool, useful in deck building.
- Joist Hangers: Metal brackets used to anchor joists to beams or ledger boards securely.
- Joist Tape: A protective tape applied to the top of deck joists to prevent rot.
- Kerf Cut: A series of small cuts made in wood to allow it to bend and create curved shapes.
- Kiln-Dried Wood: Wood that's been dried in a kiln to reduce moisture content.
- Knee Brace: A diagonal support between deck posts and beams for added stability.
- Lag Screw: A large, heavy-duty screw used in deck construction.
- Lattice: A framework of crossed wooden or metal strips, often used as a deck skirting.
- Ledger Board: Board attached to the house, supporting one end of the deck joists.
- Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports weight from above in deck construction.
- Marine Grade Plywood: High-quality plywood suitable for use in moisture-prone areas like decks.
- Miter Joint: A joint made by beveling each of two parts to be joined.
- Molded Lumber: Composite lumber shaped into specific forms, like deck boards or railings.
- Nail Gun: A tool that drives nails into wood at high speed, useful in deck construction.
- Non-Slip Decking: Decking material designed to prevent slipping, even when wet.
- Notched Post: A post with a section cut out to allow a beam or joist to sit flush.
- On-Center Spacing: The distance from the center of one structural member to the next.
- Outrigger: A projecting structure that increases the deck area or supports an extension.
- Pergola: An outdoor garden feature forming a shaded walkway or sitting area.
- Pilot Hole: A small hole drilled as a guide for the insertion of a nail or screw.
- Polyethylene Decking: Decking made from a type of plastic known for its durability.
- Post Cap: A decorative element placed on top of a deck post.
- Pressure-Treated Lumber: Wood that has been chemically treated to resist rot, decay, and termites.
- Quarter-Sawn Lumber: Wood cut from logs in a way that makes it more stable and less prone to warping.
- Quick-Connect Fittings: Fittings used in deck railings for easy, tool-free assembly.
- Railing System: The entire setup of railings, including balusters, posts, and handrails.
- Resin Decking: Decking made from synthetic resin, known for its weather resistance.
- Rim Joist: A joist forming the outer edge of a floor frame or deck.
- Screw Gun: A power tool designed to drive screws into decking and other materials.
- Shake: A wooden shingle made from split logs.
- Spindle: Another term for baluster, used in the railing of decks.
- Stair Stringers: Structural members that support the treads and risers of stairs.
- Teak Decking: High-quality decking material made from teak, known for its durability.
- Tongue and Groove: A method of fitting similar objects together, edge to edge.
- Treated Pine: Pine wood treated with chemicals to resist rot and pests.
- Treated Wood: Wood that has been treated with chemicals to resist rot and insects.
- UV Protector: A coating applied to decks to protect from ultraviolet light damage.
- Under Deck Drainage: A system to keep the area under a deck dry.
- Untreated Wood: Natural wood that hasn't been chemically treated.
- Uplift Resistance: The ability of deck components to resist upward forces.
- Varnish: A transparent, hard protective finish or film used in deck finishing.
- Vinyl Decking: A durable, low-maintenance decking material made from vinyl.
- Vinyl Railing: Railing made from vinyl, offering durability and low maintenance.
- Warp: A distortion in wood caused by uneven drying or grain patterns.
- Wet-Set Bracket: A bracket set in wet concrete to anchor deck posts securely.
- Wood Brightener: A chemical treatment used to restore the natural color of aged wood decking.
- X-Brace: A brace shaped like an 'X', used for additional deck stability.
- X-bracing: Cross-braced support used in deck construction for enhanced stability.
- Yard Lumber: Lumber graded for general use, often used in decking applications.
- Yardstick: A measuring tool used in deck construction for precision.
- Z-Flashing: A type of flashing bent into a 'Z' shape to protect horizontal joints.
- Z-Max Coating: A type of coating used on metal connectors for extra corrosion resistance.
- Zero Maintenance Decking: Decking materials designed to require minimal upkeep over time.