How to Add Decking to a Deck

Sort through the decking boards and sight down their edges. Pick out the straightest one. Position this board on the edge of the deck frame that is farthest from the house. Place a measuring tape underneath the edge of the deck board and press the end of the tape against the face of the deck frame. Position the board so it overhangs the deck frame by 1 inch. Leave 2 inches overhanging at each end; these overhangs will be trimmed off later, so they don't have to be exact.

Screw the board onto the deck frame using 3-inch-long decking screws. Put two screws through the board into each joist to hold it firmly and prevent squeaking and bouncing.

Find several pieces of 1/2-inch scrap wood and use them for spacers. Place these spacers on top of several of the joists, pressed against the side of the board you just screwed down. Place another board on the deck frame and press it against the first board with the spacers between them. Screw this board down.

Move the spacers to the other side of the second board, put down a third board and screw it down. Continue doing this until you are 10 or 12 inches away from the house.

Measure 1 inch out from the frame on the ends of the decking boards and snap a chalk line across them. Trim off the ends on both sides of the deck with a sharp circular saw.

Cut the final few boards to length before you screw them down. This is necessary because the circular saw wouldn't cut them when they are screwed down too close to the wall of the house. Screw these final boards down, being sure that their ends are flush with the ends of the rest of the boards. You may have to rip the final board to make it fit properly in the remaining space between the board next to it and the house wall.