Q. Can I use TimberTech T&G product if I do not have a minimum of 12" from the bottom of the joist to the ground? A. No, T&G product cannot be used in any application that does not have at least 12" below the surface of the deck. Without adequate ventilation, the top surface is typically dry and underneath the deck could be damp from moisture and or humidity. This, in some cases, may cause the T&G profile to cup slightly. Q. What will happen if I do use T&G TimberTech without the 12" minimum space below the surface of the deck? A. If there is not at least 12" of unobstructed air space below the surface of the deck, the surface could possibly cup. This would also void the warranty. Q. Can I use glue or caulk with TimberTech? A. In the past, we have not recommended the use of glue or caulk with any TimberTech products. Some of our contractors have been successful using as an adhesive on post cladding and fascia a product identified as Tremco Vulkem 116 Polyurethane Adhesive. This is what we would recommend if an adhesive were needed. Q. Can T&G TimberTech be made into a watertight surface? A. No, T&G TimberTech is made with weepholes every 9" on the tongue. These weepholes allow water to drain off of the deck. Correct installation of the product with hand pressure gives you a gap of up to 1/4" between planks. This gap allows the product to expand and contract with temperature changes. If this gap is made watertight by a caulk product, the product will not have the ability to expand and contract in the gap. Q. Can I cantilever the TimberTech on my deck? A. No, we do not recommend that any TimberTech deck plank be cantilevered. Q. Can I use a router on the TimberTech product? A. Yes, if it is a solid profile such as our fascia or 5/4 product. Q. What is the maximum span for the deck planks? A. Residential* T&G 24" on center 2x6 24" on center 5/4 16" on center *see install sheet for plank installations that are not perpendicular
Q. Can I install my porch pillars or hot tub on top of my TimberTech deck? A. Yes, but the underlying joist system, not the TimberTech should be the supporting mechanism. TimberTech is not a load-bearing product. Q. Can I power wash my deck? A. Yes, you can wash your deck with a power washer. To avoid damaging wood, you definitely want to use a fan tip.Higher water volumes will generally allow effective cleaning at lower PSI. You can basically manipulate the psi, flow rate and tip to achieve the optimal cleaning properties for the surface you are cleaning. Most of the rental units available at local hardware stores and home centers are 1500-2500 psi machines that deliver 2-3 gallons per minute. These machines will normally do a nice job on wood and will be adequate for the TimberTech surface with the proper cleaning product.Small electric pumps can be purchased and will clean the wood and TimberTech surface but the speed is much slower than the small power-washing rental units that are available. Q. What kind of fastener should I use with TimberTech? A. We recommend stainless steel fasteners for installing TimberTech. Refer to our installation instructions for the correct size to use. Q. Do I need to gap TimberTech when installing it? A. Yes. All TimberTech products should be gapped to allow for expansion and contraction of the product. Tongue & Groove: there will be a gap of 1/4" between planks. You will be able to see part and/or all of the weep hole. 2x6 Plank: gapped a minimum of 1/8" side to side 5/4 Plank: gapped a minimum of 1/8" side to side Q. It's 90 degrees out today, do I still need to gap my deck according to the installation instructions? A. Yes. While the movement of TimberTech is minimal, you still need to allow gapping for expansion and contraction regardless of temperature. Q. Does TimberTech come in any colors? A. Yes. TimberTech Tongue & Groove, 5/4 plank and 2x6 plank come in Cedar, Grey and Redwood. The Cedar, Grey and Redwood product will weather approximately 5% - 7%. Q. Does TimberTech Railing come in colors? A. Yes, the new TimberTech Ornamental Railing System is now available in Cedar, Grey, Redwood, and Whitesand. Q. Do I have to pre-drill TimberTech when installing? A. For the deck planks, you only need to pre-drill in extremely cold situations. It is recommended that you pre-drill when installing TimberTech railing components. You may also choose to pre-drill when installing 2x6 or 5/4 planks for the aesthetics. Q. What effect will heat have on TimberTech products? A. The effect that heat would have is similar to a wood deck. As the UV is exposed to a deck surface, the color of your deck will have the most effect from heat. The darker colors will feel warmer to touch. Brushing the surface of all of our plank products reduces heat build up. TimberTech Limited also produces three colors (Cedar, Grey & Redwood). All colors were developed with reflective, inorganic pigments. These pigments are much more expensive than organic pigments, but dramatically reduce heat build-up. Some of our competitors utilize organic pigment due to the cost. Fortunately, TimberTech's R&D engineers have been developing pigment systems for vinyl siding for over 50 years. Q. How will salt water effect TimberTech products? A. Salt-water climates are a perfect application for TimberTech products. Salt water will have no ill effects on TimberTech. Q. Can TimberTech products be used as a porch? A. Yes, many porches are built with TimberTech products. The only issue may be that the surface won't be exposed to the UV. We recommend going with one of our colors…Cedar, Grey or Redwood for porch applications. Q. Can TimberTech be installed automatically by using a nail gun?A. We do not recommend this. TimberTech Limited recommends using stainless steel screws for all plank installations. Q. Can TimberTech be painted or stained? A. Although not required, TimberTech may be painted or stained. • Wait approximately 8-10 weeks or until TimberTech has completed its weathering process before painting or staining. • For best results, use a high-quality oil based paint or solid-color stain. • Be sure paint or stain does not clog drain holes of TimberTech Tongue-And-Groove planks. • Once TimberTech is painted or stained, subsequent applications will be necessary to maintain appearance. TimberTech Limited cannot be responsible for the performance of stains or paints applied to any TimberTech Engineered Decking Systems product. • Clean your TimberTech decking surface before applying paint or stain. NEVER paint or stain over surfaces that may contain dirt, mold, or mildew. • Apply the paint or stain following the manufacturer’s application instructions. • Stains that are recommended to use by TimberTech are:Weatherall UV Guard Deck and Fence Coating (www.weatherall.com)Weatherall UV Guard Exterior Wood Finish (www.weatherall.com) Q. What can I do to remove ice and snow from my TimberTech deck? A. If you reside in a cold weather climate where ice and snow periodically come in contact with your deck, use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice and snow. Q. What can be done to remove scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves from my TimberTech deck? A. For all products except TimberTech Railing, scratches, nicks, cuts and grooves can be eliminated by using a wire brush. Brushing will need to be consistent with the grain of the product. Q. What can be used to clean spot stains such as oil, grease and other stains? A. Oil Eater® Cleaner and Degreaser is very effective against oil, grease and other stains. For extra heavy oil and grease stains or other specific stain types, check with your local lumberyards, hardware stores or home centers for cleaners applicable to a specific stain type.If stains have set, you may want to use fine sandpaper and sand lightly, following the wood grain finish of the plank. The sanded area will weather back to the weathered color in approximately 8-10 weeks. Q. What can be used to clean rust, ground-in dirt and grime from my TimberTech deck? A. Use a cleaner that contains Phosphoric Acid. This type of cleaner is available at home centers, lumberyards, or hardware stores. Follow manufacturer application instructions. If stains have set, you may want to use fine sandpaper and sand lightly, following the wood-grain finish of the plank. The sanded area will weather back to the weathered color in approximately 8-10 weeks. Q. Can TimberTech help design my deck? A. There is a program on the TimberTech website called Deck Design Gallery. This program will allow you to select your deck shape and size, add stairs and railings and a second level. After you submit your custom design, your Deck Specification Kit gives you a 3D model of your design, how-to checklist, tips for success and a material list. Q. Can I build my TimberTech deck directly over an existing surface? A. Please see below for minimum space requirements for your TimberTech deck planks: