Seam a Deck. The traditional way most builders go about building a deck is to randomly stagger joints. … It’s simply strategically placing a seam (or seams, on bigger decks) and using the same length boards for each section. Each seam is a sandwich made of an elevated vertical decking board with joists on both sides.

What are the parts of a deck called?

• Footing. – Most decks begin by pouring concrete footings and attaching post anchors. …
• Post. – Posts are attached to the footings and hold the support beams up off the ground. …
• Beams. …
• Joist. …
• Ledgers and header joists. …
• Deck boards. …
• Drainage system. …
• Hidden fasteners.

Should a deck have gaps?

Proper wood deck board spacing should have at least a 1/8 inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your wood or treated deck boards while they are still wet boards, then they should be attached without a gap between them.