Jan 25, 2016 Proper installation method of UltraDeck T-Clips. Proper installation method of UltraDeck T-Clips. Synology Failed To Package Update on this page. How to Install T-Clips on UltraDeck MR MM.
UltraDeck encapsulated composite decking is manufactured by Midwest Manufacturing Extrusion in Eau Claire, WI. The Fusion line are hollow deck boards that are available in Driftwood Gray, Coastal Cedar and Rosewood multitone colors. The Rustic line comes in a solid and hollow board and includes Gray, Cedar and Redwood colors.
The UltraDeck Natural deck boards are the most economical choice and feature a reversible hollow plank with embossed wood grain on one side and a brushed finish on the opposite face. UltraDeck can be installed with DekMount Hidden Fasteners or T Clip Hidden Fasteners. UltraDeck also offers a composite railing system to match the floor options. These materials come with a 10 year warranty and have an evaluation service report (ESR-1674).
This is a project that I have been working on since May 4th with a coworker/friend of mine. He just bought a house during the winter time, and told me that he was going to need some help resurfacing the deck. I’m guessing the deck was built around 20-30 years ago, and was made with cedar decking and hand rails.
The structure was still fine, so I told him that it should be a relatively easy “resurface” job. We measured up the deck, and I came up with a materials list, and we headed on our way to menards to order the material. Here are a few before pics. If you look at the last pic, you will see the existing deck had outlets on both sides (attached to the side of the post), and we wanted to still have that feature on the redone deck.
We then went to menards, and got a few estimates on the different options. The materials for green treated were going to cost him around $850, Cedar was around $1600, and the Menards Ultradeck Reversible was around $3000. He decided to go with the Ultradeck (with a little persuasion from me), mostly because it is supposed to be relatively maintenance free. I have never worked with the stuff, so I really was looking forward to seeing how it all worked out. My co-worker also opted for the “hidden fastener” system (Deckmount). I was really excited, because of how this should turn out. The order was placed, and we scheduled a delivery.
When the material was delivered, we were very disappointed in the quality of the material we received. First of all, there were 3 different “shades” of the this material. I’m sure they were either from different lots, or maybe some of it had already been exposed to UV to dull the color. Next, I would say that about 1/3 of the material had major scratches/gouges on the exposed surfaces. We then picked thru/sorted the whole pile, and went back to the store to exchange the damaged versions. So much for paying for delivery. Well, we stripped off all the decking and rails, and then proceeded to mount most of the posts, so that we could start the decking process.
To install the decking, you first have to fasten the “Deckmount” to the all the joists. This is screwed in to the side, but sitting on top, and flush with the top surface. Then we proceeded to mount the decking.
This required someone to be up top, to put downward pressure, while someone was underneath, attaching the decking with screws. I suppose a clamp could have been used, but it was nice to have someone on top to make sure the board didn’t shift, or the spacing wasn’t altered. The directions also mandated that a minimum spacing of 3/16” of an inch was to be used. I started off by using (2) 3/16” drill bits, but that got old real quick, when the bits would dig into my hand when trying to pull them out. I then made up some spacers, using 3/16” steel rod. They worked much better. Well, here a few pics of most of the decking installed.
It tooks us a few days to do this. I’m sorry that I don’t have progress pics, because I kept forgetting my camera at home. Here is a pic of what the “deckmount” system looks like when installed.
(picture taken from underneath the decking) Next, we had to take out the existing stairs, and rebuild them. You can see them in the last pic on my sawhorses. The existing ones only had 2 stringers, with 2x material for the actual treads (steps). The instructions for the decking mandated that we had a minimum of 12” spacing of the stair stringers for the Ultradeck, so we just traced the existing ones, cut and fastened them all together. With the help of a Pipe jack, we then mounted the stair framing back into its correct location.