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Replacing a wood deck with composite

thonet | Posted in GBA Pro Help on

When replacing a wooden deck with composite material there is usually a 1/2 inch discrepancy because the decking was 1 1/2 inches thick and the new composite is usually 1 inch thick. What migh tone use to handle this problem to enable the deck to end up at 1 1/2 inches thick again? Thanks

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Replies

  1. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #1

    Kenneth,
    You could either (a) ignore the change (although there will be slight change in the riser height of the top riser of any stairs) or (b) shim each joist with 1/2 inch by 1.5 inch shims (ripped from 1/2 inch pressure treated plywood or 2x pressure-treated lumber).

  2. thonet | | #2

    Thanks. I had thought about the feasibility of ripping one of those rubber cow stall mats but they only come in 3/8 and 3/4 thickness. I thought that the thin strip of rubber might survive the elements better than a thin strip of wood. KEN

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