Wood, Composites, Plastic Decking Discussed

Installation, Fasteners and Warranty

Does Veranda Decking and Railing come with a warranty?
Yes. They have a 15-year limited warranty against splintering, flaking, corrosion, or becoming structurally unfit due to rot, split, warp, cupping, checks, or damage caused by termites or fungal decay.

Why do the deck boards need to be installed facing the same direction?
The appearance of this product changes when viewed from different ends. To achieve the most consistent color, install all of the boards in the same direction using the product end tags as a point of reference or install all of the boards with the arrows on the product stickers pointing in the same direction. Installing boards in opposing directions will create contrasting light and dark shades of the deck board color and is not covered under warranty.

Do I need special tools to install Veranda Decking and Railing?
Conventional tools can be used with Veranda for cutting, drilling, and nailing. For your safety, remember to wear protective clothing and safety glasses.

What do I use to cut Veranda?
The same tools used to cut pressure-treated wood can be used to cut Veranda. We recommend using a sharp, carbide-tipped saw blade.

Do you recommend pre-drilling and countersinking when fastening?
Yes, we recommend pre-drilling and countersinking. It is not required; however, the best results for ease of fastening and appearance of the finished project are achieved by pre-drilling and countersinking prior to driving screws. Wood decking is not as dense as Veranda. Screws driven into wood decking crush the wood fiber and self countersink. Screws driven into Veranda displace the material causing it to mushroom around the screw head. Most consumers do not like the resulting appearance using this installation method. Installers feel that extra time and labor is a cost to them. Many of the pros who have worked with Veranda felt the same; but, they have found how pleased the homeowner was with the job by following the recommended fastener application.

Major fastener manufacturers produce screws made specifically for composite lumber. Use of these screws will reduce the amount of pre-drilling and countersinking required. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.

What type of fasteners and nails are recommended?
For ease of installation, we recommend using 2-1/2” corrosion-resistant, composite wood deck screws (i.e. TrapEase™ by OMG, SplitStop™ by Titan Metal Werks). These screws help prevent the common "mushroom" effect that sometimes occurs when using standard fasteners. It can also reduce the amount of pre-drilling and countersinking. If using ordinary coarse thread deck screws, the best results are achieved by pre-drilling a pilot hole and countersinking prior to driving screws. For details, refer to the installation instructions.

Is there a compatible hidden fastener system?
There are several brands of hidden fastener systems available that work well with Veranda. Check with the fastener manufacturer to ensure suitability for your application.

Can I route Veranda composite deck boards?
Yes. Veranda deck boards are easier to route than wood and provide a sharp, clean edge.

What glue works well with Veranda?
Glue is a supplemental adhesive and should never replace a fastener, especially in structural applications. Heavy-duty construction adhesive can be used, but we recommend testing on a small portion of your deck before using the adhesive throughout your whole application.

What joist spans should I use for my deck when using Veranda?
In residential applications, Veranda Decking should be installed on joists spaced 16" on center when the deck is running perpendicular to the support joists. Decks running on a diagonal pattern should be installed on joists spaced 12" on center. Contact Veranda Product Support at 877-463-8379 for commercial applications. For more details, refer to the installation instructions.

Does Veranda Decking require gapping between boards?
Yes. Veranda Decking must be gapped at the ends to allow for expansion and contraction, and gapped between boards for water runoff. At the ends of the deck boards, allow a minimum of 1/16” gap for every 20 degrees F° of difference between the installation temperature and the hottest temperature expected. Allow a 1/4” gap between the deck boards and between all decking and any permanent structure on post for water runoff. For more information, refer to the installation instructions.

How much space is recommended for proper ventilation underneath a deck?
A clear 2" space between the bottom edge of the joists and grade is recommended to allow proper ventilation.

Does Veranda Composite Decking and Railing meet building code requirements?
Veranda composite decking, manufactured by UFP Ventures II, Inc., has been evaluated by ICC-ES to be code compliant with details listed under the ESR-1573 Report. Veranda Natural composite railing is a decorative railing and can only be used in those applications where a structural railing is not required by building codes.

Can Veranda Decking and Railing be used for structural applications?
No. While Veranda provides superior surface integrity and strength, they are not suitable for structural applications.

Can I put Veranda Decking over a concrete patio?
Yes, you can install Veranda Decking over a concrete patio. We recommend that you use 2x6’s standing vertical on edge as support joists over the concrete. Next, fasten the decking to the support joists. Be sure to allow a 1/4" gap between the long edges of the deck boards. Drainage and ventilation are necessary for best product performance; therefore, we recommend shims to level the deck that allow a clear 2" space between the bottom edge of the joists and the concrete.

Can Veranda be used for building a dock?
Veranda decking can be used as dock planking, but it cannot be used for any structural support members. Veranda deck boards should be installed on joists spaced 16"on center.

Some docks are built with supports 24" on center or greater. This would need to be adjusted when using Veranda. Veranda decking can be used provided that it is not continually submerged in water.

Can Veranda Decking be used as planters or edging?
Veranda decking is not recommended for ground contact applications. It is designed to be used as a deck surface only.

See Part 4 Veranda Decking Care & Maintenance

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