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Decking Installation Instructions
IMPORTANT EVERGRAIN® AND EVERGRAIN® ENVISION® PRODUCT INFORMATION
• Make safety of the workplace the prime consideration. Always wear the
proper protective clothing and safety equipment and adhere to all safety
guidelines contained herein.
• MODIFICATION TO THE BOARD, OTHER THAN AS STATED IN THESE
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (SUCH AS CUTTING TO LENGTH,
DRILLING FASTENER HOLE, ETC.) MAY COMPROMISE THE
INTEGRITY OF THE BOARD WHICH COULD LEAD TO PREMATURE
DEGRADATION.
• EverGrain and EverGrain Envision ("Envision") is specially made with
natural board to board color variation. Layout and view all boards prior
to cutting and fastening to ensure the desired look is achieved.
• As with all walking surfaces, decking products located in higher trafc areas
may show wear earlier than other areas. Dragging furniture or other objects
across the product will cause surface scratches.
• Discuss any desired material changes, including color issues, with the
supplier prior to cutting or fastening the decking to the structure.
• The weathering process for EverGrain and Envision decking products will
vary due to region, climate, rain, sunlight exposure, etc. Some variations in
decking shade will appear due to weathering that will occur at the supplier’s
yard prior to shipment and due to different lots. For best results, use
material from the same date code (stamped on the bottom of boards)
whenever possible.
• The color of EverGrain and Envision decking products will usually weather
to a lighter shade after several months of exposure to the environment.
Color may vary across proles.
• EverGrain and Envision decking have a more exible feel than wood
primarily during the heat of summer. This is a natural condition that will not
affect the ability of the decking to perform as warranted. For a more rigid feel,
reduce joist span spacing by 4”.
• EverGrain and Envision decking and railing products must be installed
in accordance with the installation instructions. Deviations from these
instructions may result in unsatisfactory performance, create a potential
safety hazard and may exclude coverage of your decking and/or railing
material under the limited warranty.
• EverGrain and Envision decking products must never be applied
directly to any solid surface (concrete, membranes, etc.) or in conjunction
with systems where inadequate drainage or improper ventilation are found.
There must be proper ventilation and adequate air circulation underneath
the deck to promote the evaporation of any water or moisture.
• Fire and other sources of excessive heat may damage EverGrain and
Envision deck boards. Damage caused by re or other heat
sources may include melting, sagging, warping, discoloration, charring,
increased expansion or contraction, accelerated weathering, etc.
• Low-E glass is one potential source of excessive heat because it is designed
to reect more sunlight than traditional glass. This enhanced reectivity
combined with any irregularity in the window glass can concentrate sunlight
onto the deck and cause heat build-up on areas of the deck surface. When
this occurs, damage to EverGrain or Envision decking is possible.
Contact the manufacturer of the product which contains the Low-E glass for
suggestions to reduce or eliminate the reected heat.
• Composite decking will retain heat when exposed to direct or reected
sunlight. Exercise caution if walking barefoot as footwear may be required.
LUMBER SIZES & DIMENSIONS
Nominal Size Actual Size
1" x 6" x (12', 16' or 20') EverGrain and Envision 15/16" x 5-1/2"
2" x 6" x (16' or 20') EverGrain only 1-7/16" x 5-1/2"
8" EverGrain Skirting (12') 1/2" x 7-1/4"
12" EverGrain Skirting (12') 1/2" x 11-7/8"
12" Envision Skirting (12') 7/16" x 12"
All Tolerances +/- 1/16"
DECKING SPAN CHART
Maximum center-to-center spans with a minimum of three joists are
shown below. EverGrain and Envision decking products must not be
applied to a solid surface.
Center-To-Center Span
Board Span1 Span1 Stair Tread
Size (90°) (up to 45°)
1" x 6" 16" 12" 12"
2" x 6" 24" 16" 16"
1
Live Load Rating of 100 lb/ft2.
2
Continuous two-span installation.
EverGrain and Envision decking have a more exible feel than wood
primarily during the heat of summer. This is a natural condition that
will not affect the ability of the decking to perform as warranted. For a
more rigid feel, reduce joist span spacing by 4". Decking must not be
cantilevered (overhang edge of deck) because structural support is
required. EverGrain and Envision decking products are non-structural
construction products. The decking products must not be used as a
structural member; including joists, load bearing columns, stringers, or
beams.
For best results, add an additional joist at the butt joints to increase
stiffness.
CUTTING & DRILLING
When working with EverGrain and Envision decking products, saw blades and
router bits with carbide tips are recommended. Saw blades must be sharp. The
use of dull saw blades will result in damage to the outer layer of Envision boards.
For best results, use blades with two teeth per inch. To avoid clogging when drilling
holes, frequently remove shavings by raising the drill bit out of the hole.
Modication to the board, other than as stated in these installation instructions
(such as cutting to length, drilling fastener hole, etc.) may compromise the
integrity of the board which could lead to premature degradation.
SPACING
EverGrain and Envision decking and skirting products will expand and
contract with changes in temperature. The amount of expansion and
contraction will vary depending upon board size and temperature. Smaller
2
boards will expand less and larger board sizes will expand more. When
installing decking, side-to-side spacing must be a minimum of 1/8" between
adjacent boards.
* End-to-end spacing between boards must be approximately 1/16" for
every 20-degree increment
of temperature difference
between the temperature
during installation and the
maximum expected summertime
temperature in your area.
+
Butt joints of boards must be
staggered. A sister joist must
be utilized at the butt joint to
provide a greater fastening area.
+
EXAMPLE:
80ºF at time of installation and a
maximum expected summertime
temperature of 100°F equals an end-toend spacing of 1/16".
JP60661
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Decking Installation Instructions
DO NOT TOE-NAIL
NO! YES
90º90
º
Install fasteners perpendicular to board surface.
FASTENING
FASTENER SELECTION:
SQUARE EDGE: EverGrain and Envision
square edge decking products can be
fastened by screws, EG 1-2-3 Hidden
Fasteners, CAMO Marksman Pro Hidden Deck Fastening System,
or one of many compatible square edge hidden fastening systems
available. The chosen fastener manufacturer's installation instructions
must be followed. The CAMO Marksman Pro Hidden Fastening System
instructions are available at www.camofasteners.com. EG 1-2-3 Hidden
Fasteners, CAMO Marksman Pro Hidden Deck Fastening System and
other compatible square edge hidden fastening systems may only be
used with square edge proles of EverGrain and Envision.
GROOVED EDGE: EverGrain and Envision
grooved edge decking products can be
fastened by the Tiger Claw TC-G Hidden
Fastening System or one of many compatible
grooved edge hidden fastening systems available. The chosen fastener
manufacturer's installation instructions must be followed. The Tiger
Claw TC-G Hidden Fastening System instructions are available at www.
fastenmaster.com. The rst and last EverGrain or Envision grooved edge
deck board should be face-fastened when using a compatible grooved
edge hidden fastening system. Fasteners must be spaced so that no part
of the fastener is within 3/4" from the end of the board and 1-3/8” from
the edge of the board.
EverGrain ENVISION Composite Deck Screws and EverGrain
Composite Deck Screws are color matched deck screws designed for
use with EverGrain and Envision.
When using WOOD/COMPOSITE SCREWS, nominal 1" thick boards
require a minimum #8 - 2 1/2" or longer screw for fastening. Nominal 2"
thick boards require a minimum #8 - 3" or longer screw for fastening.
Consult your building professional to ensure selection of fasteners
is compatible with TAMKO’s spacing and installation guidelines and
also with your joist and substructure material.
The fastening decision is solely the responsibility of the contractor,
installer or homeowner. TAMKO does not recommend or endorse any
specic fastening system.
FASTENING REQUIREMENTS:
PRE-DRILLING To avoid splitting and cracking, pre-drilling the fastener
holes is required near ends and edges of the boards on EverGrain and
Envision decking. When pre-drilling, the drill bit diameter should be the
same diameter as the fastener shank.
PLACEMENT Fasteners must be
spaced so that no part of the fastener
is within 3/4" from the end of the board
and 1" from the edge of the board on
square edge proles of EverGrain and
Envision. Apart from the exception
explicitly stated in the Grooved
Edge Fastener Selection section of
these instructions, face-fasteners
should not be used with grooved
proles of EverGrain and Envision.
Decking must be fastened at every joist perpendicular to the deck
surface. Two fasteners are required at the end of the board. Make sure
joists are level.
Square Edge Prole
Grooved Edge Prole
1" minimum
to side edge
of board
3/4" minimum
to
end
of board
FASTENING (cont'd)
SKIRTING EverGrain and Envision skirting must be fastened with three
evenly spaced fasteners every 8" on a solid surface.
TIPS:
• STRING LINE The use of a string line to align fasteners/boards is
recommended to enhance the appearance of your nished deck. (Do not
use a chalk line).
• FINISHING TOUCH EverGrain deck material may swell over fastener heads.
Gently hammer the material down to cover the fastener head. Pre-drill fastener
holes and/or use a counter sink bit to minimize this from occurring.
• COLD WEATHER When installing in cold temperatures, a greater force
is required to drive fasteners into the decking material.
CLEANING
Semi-annual cleaning of your deck is required. Prompt cleaning of stains
is required.
FOR DETAILED CLEANING INFORMATION:
Please visit the care and cleaning section on our website at evergrain.com.
After cleaning, ush the surface of decking using a garden hose or a
power washer hose with a fan-tip nozzle at a pressure not exceeding
1,000 psi to remove any excess cleaning agents.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not sand the surface to remove stains.
HANDLING
EverGrain and Envision decking products are heavier and more exible
than traditional wood products. Use care and do not attempt to lift or carry
more decking than you can safely handle at one time. Proper clothing and
safety glasses must be worn at all times when working with decking.
Store material on a rigid, smooth, at surface. The unused material
should be kept covered and supported every 24". If boards become
bent, most can be bent back to their original shape during application.
Determination of the effectiveness, suitability, and safety of any
application or use of EverGrain or Envision decking products is solely
the responsibility of the homeowner, contractor, or installer. Building
code regulations vary, and the homeowner, contractor or installer must
consult local building and safety codes for specic requirements prior to
the application of EverGrain or Envision decking products.
LIMITED WARRANTY
TAMKO Building Products, Inc. provides a 20-year Limited Warranty
for EverGrain and Envision Products installed in accordance with these
written instructions. Envision is also provided with a 20-year Stain
Resistance Limited Warranty. For a copy of the Limited Warranty see
your EverGrain and Envision Dealer or visit evergrain.com. Returns
of or claims for decking product due to any condition that was
clearly apparent prior to application/fastening of product, will not
be considered after decking has been applied/fastened to deck
structure, joist, etc. SEE TAMKO'S LIMITED WARRANTY FOR
COMPLETE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
ONLINE AT EVERGRAIN.COM OR BY CALLING US AT 800-641-4691.
BUILDING CODE APPROVED
EverGrain square edge deck boards are building code approved: ATI
CCRR # 0177. Refer to code reports on evergrain.com for product details.
REV. 02/14
© 2014 TAMKO Building Products, Inc. TAMKO, EverGrain and Envision are registered trademarks of TAMKO Building Products, Inc.
TAMKO Building Products, Inc.
P.O. Box 1404, Joplin, Missouri 64802-1404
• Technical Services: 800-641-4691
• Warranty Services: 800-441-7190 • Customer Service: 800-253-1401
These application instructions were current at the time of
printing. To obtain a copy of the most current version of the
application instructions, visit us online at evergrain.com or
call us at 800-641-4691.
evergrain.com