Domino in my deck?

[ScooterX]

deck building question number 2!

I'm probably going to use Garapa wood for my deck. (it is a very hard, rot-resistant Brazilian wood.) Because I can get a better deal on "short" boards (6' and 7' long) I'm wondering if I can use Domino tenons to join the ends of the boards between the joists, or at the joists? Does this make sense? The deck fastening system I'm using screws into the sides of the boards at each joist, so I'd fasten the decking down at every joist except where the joint is, and use a 10mm Sipo wood Domino there to keep the boards together.

 

[honeydoman]

sure why not.  make sure you use the exterior dominos that they sell.  I would use it on the ends only..  but again a lot of extra work to build a deck and time consuming that I don't really think would be necessary.  but if you use the hidden fastners they work very well.  good luck.

 

[Hastings]

Scooter:

I used ipe for my deck and I used dominoes on the mitered corners - more for location than adhesion or strength. I ended up changing the design and when I removed the bullnose edge, the dominoes just pulled out. There may be any number of reasons for this and Ipe can be a little tricky.

If it were me, I would not join any board between joists. Using a domino to keep the ends of the board aligned over a joist would be better.

I know the short pieces may be cheaper, but if you plan on keeping your house, why chintz it? Go with the longer boards and cry once!

Regards,

Hastings

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I am not familiar with  Garapa wood, and thus have no information regarding its properties, e.g. natural oils and compatability with adhesives.  Why not test the properties of Garapa boards with end-to-end domino joints, then decide?  If dominos don't work out, could the short lengths be joined with a routed and glued finger joint?

Dave R.