Installation
Installation Instructions
Fasteners for Solid Decking
Equator® Hidden Fasteners for Slotted Decking
Fascia
Color Variation
Installation Instructions
Latitudes® Composite Decking and Railing offer performance advantages compared to standard wood decking without added complexity or extra steps. Refer to the following links for simple instructions on how to make your Latitudes installation go smoothly—from the first time you use the products. Or, consider using one of our Latitudes Certified Installers for professional service and installation of your Latitudes Decking and Railing.
Latitudes® Solid Decking - Trilingual (pdf - 363 KB)
Latitudes Slotted Decking - Trilingual (pdf - 1.0 MB)
Latitudes Marine Decking - Trilingual (pdf - 378)
Latitudes Intrepid™ Moulded Rail with Composite Baluster - Trilingual (pdf - 2.1 MB)
Latitudes Intrepid Moulded Rail with Aluminum Balusters - Trilingual (pdf - 2.1 MB)
Latitudes Intrepid 2x4 Railing - Trilingual (pdf - 1.6 MB)
Latitudes Luster™ Railing - Trilingual (pdf - 792 KB)
Latitudes Luster Stair Railing - Trilingual (pdf - 529 KB)
Latitudes Secondary Handrail Installation (pdf - 1.1 MB)
Latitudes Angle Bracket Installation - Trilingual (pdf - 836 KB)
Deck Stones Installation - Trilingual (pdf - 703 KB)
Recessed Lighting Kit Installation - Trilingual (pdf - 668 KB)
As with any building project, installing Latitudes turns out best when you think through the entire process in advance, familiarizing yourself with the materials and their application. Please review the following tips before starting work on a Latitudes composite deck. For additional installation support, call 877-463-8379.
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 (A) as a point of reference or install all of the boards with the arrows on the product stickers (B) 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.
Prior to construction, check with your local regulatory agency for special code requirements in your area. For best results, follow these simple installation instructions, paying close attention to gapping, spacing and fastener requirements. Joist span: 16" on-center for residential perpendicular applications. Residential parquet patterns and diagonal or herringbone designs all require joist spacing 12" on-center. Contact Latitudes® product support at 877-463-8379 for commercial applications.
Fasteners for Solid Decking
For ease of installation, we recommend using 2-1/2 corrosion-resistant, composite wood deck screws. These screws help minimize the common “mushroom” effect that sometimes occurs when using standard fasteners. They can also reduce the amount of pre-drilling and countersinking. If using ordinary coarse thread deck screws, always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink prior to driving screws. Screws should be driven flush with the Latitudes surface. Do not over-tighten. Use two fasteners per deck board at each joist. For any decking where two boards meet end-to-end over a joist, add additional blocking (see Figure 1). Always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink at board ends when using either composite or wood screws. Be careful not to over-tighten screws near board ends.
Joist Span
16 on-center for residential perpendicular applications. Residential parquet patterns, diagonal or herringbone designs all require joist spacing 12 on-center. Contact Latitudes® product support at 877-463-8379 for commercial applications.
Side Gapping – 1/4.
End-to-End Spacing
Allow a minimum of 1/16 gap between board ends for every 20°F of difference between installation temperature and the hottest temperature expected. (see Figure 1) Additional blocking may be needed for support (see Figure 2). Allow 1/4" distance between all decking material and any permanent structure or post. After all of the decking has been attached, snap a chalk line (white or yellow chalk recommended) flush with or up to 1-1/2 out from the deck framing and trim with a circular saw. Latitudes Decking, like all wood and composite decking products, requires proper ventilation and drainage in order to ensure its longevity. When using a minimum 2x6 joist standing on edge and the suggested 1/4 side gap, there should be a 2" clear space between the bottom edge of the joists and grade in order to allow for proper ventilation. Adequate drainage is also needed to prevent water from pooling under the deck.
Fasteners
For ease of installation, we recommend using 2-1/2 corrosion-resistant, composite wood deck screws. These screws help minimize the common “mushroom” effect that sometimes occurs when using standard fasteners. They can also reduce the amount of pre-drilling and countersinking. If using ordinary coarse thread deck screws, always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink prior to driving screws. Screws should be driven flush with the Latitudes surface. Do not over-tighten. Use two fasteners per deck board at each joist. For any decking where two boards meet end-to-end over a joist, add additional blocking (see Figure 2). Always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink at board ends when using either composite or wood screws. Be careful not to over-tighten screws near board ends. Tips for decking installation (cont.) Pre-drill and countersink all deck screws, regardless of type, that are within 1-1/2" of the end of the deck board.
Figure 2: Pre-drill and countersink all deck screws, regardless of type, that are within 1-1/2” of the end of the deck board.
Equator Hidden Fasteners for Slotted Decking
A set of 175 pieces of Equator hidden fasteners will install 100 square feet of 6" wide (5-1/4" actual) deck boards on 16" centers, or 87 square feet of 6" wide (5-1/4" actual) deck boards on 12" centers.
Side Gapping - 1/4".
End-to-End Spacing
Allow a minimum of 1/16" gap between board ends for every 20° F of difference between installation temperature and the hottest temperature expected (figure 1). For any decking where two boards meet end-to-end over a joist, add additional blocking (figure 2). Allow 1/4" distance between all decking material and any permanent structure or post. After all of the decking has been attached, snap a chalk line (white or yellow chalk recommended) flush with or up to 1-1/2" out from the deck framing and trim with a circular saw.
All wood and composite decking products require proper ventilation and drainage to ensure their longevity. When using a minimum 2x6 joist standing on edge and the suggested 1/4" side gap, there should be a 2" clear space between the bottom edge of the joists and grade in order to allow for proper ventilation. Adequate drainage is also needed to prevent water from pooling under the deck.
Fasteners
For ease of installation, our Equator fastener fits into the slot on each side of the deck board to eliminate pre-drilling and provide a timeless, fastener-free deck surface. The deck boards require traditional fasteners on the outside and inside edges of the deck. Begin by fastening the outside edge of the first board to the rim joist every 16". For this, we recommend using 2-1/2" corrosion-resistant, composite wood deck screws. These screws help minimize 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, always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink prior to driving screws. Screws should be driven flush with the surface. Do not over-tighten. Use one fastener per board every 16". For any decking where two boards meet end-to-end over a joist, add additional blocking. Always pre-drill a pilot hole when fastening within 1-1/2" of board ends, whether using composite or wood screws. Do not overtighten screws at board ends.
Fasten the outside edge of the first board to the rim joist with screws. Pre-drill and countersink all deck screws, regardless of type, that are within 1-1/2" of the end of the deck board. On the other side of the board, place a Equator hidden fastener into the slot and center on the joist.
On the other side of the board, place an Equator hidden fastener into the slot and center on the joist (figure 3). Install a #8, 2" stainless steel screw at a 90° angle through the
Equator fastener and drive flush. Do not overtighten. The fastener wings must remain level
with the joist for the next board to fit correctly (figure 4). Install one Equator fastener at each
joist location. Slide the next board into place so the wings on the previous fasteners fit into
the slot on the side of the board. Make sure the side gap between the boards is 1/4".
To keep the interior boards from moving over time, we recommend pinning the boards at the center of their length using a #8, 2" stainless steel screw. This holds the deck board in place at the center of each board and allows the decking to expand/contract at the ends of the boards. Pre-drill in the slot of the deck board with an 1/8" drill bit (inset of figure 5). Drive screw into the slot so it’s flush with the bottom of the groove (figure 5). This will allow you to properly fit an Equator hidden fastener into the slot. Install Equator hidden fastener clip over the screw and centered over the joist. Fasten using a #8, 2" stainless steel screw at a 90° angle through the Equator hidden fastener and drive flush with the clip (figure 6). The fastener wings must remain level with the joist for the next board to fit correctly (figure 4).
Install one Equator fastener at each joist location along the length of the board. For installations where deck boards are butted end-to-end at the joist, we recommend adding an 8" block and using an Equator hidden fastener clip at the end of each board (figures 7 and 8). Be sure to gap the boards as previously described. Repeat the process for each board until the outside edge of the final board is fastened with screws. Use fascia to conceal the board profile and inhibit board movement over time. If no fascia is being used, the entire perimeter of the deck should be fastened to the rim joist with screws. Use two fasteners at the end of each board. These screws will be inconspicuous once the railing is installed.
Apply these same principles when installing stair treads.
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Fascia
Attach fascia to the rim joist using 3 screws spaced no further apart than 16" on-center. Fasten the fascia from one end to the other or from the center out to each end. Never fasten the fascia from both ends to the center. Leave a 1/8" space between the fascia ends where two pieces meet or wherever a piece meets a solid surface (i.e., a corner or a building wall) to allow for expansion of the material.
Possible configurations to conceal 2x10 and 2x12 joists:
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Color Variation
Like most composites, Latitudes decking and railing will exhibit color variations from piece to piece. This results from naturally occurring variations in wood fibers and polymers. We recommend purchasing all required materials simultaneously and inspecting material for color acceptance before installing, as manufacturing runs may produce slightly different colors.
Latitudes Intrepid™will lighten over time. This color tone shift is dependent upon exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors and is generally completed within 60 to 90 days. Gray tone products may turn light brown before changing to lighter gray. Color variation is not covered by the Latitudes Warranty.
Simulated tests have shown that Latitudes Capricorn® and Captiva decking displays virtually no signs of fade and will remain at or near its original color. Due to a durable cap stock layer, Latitudes Capricorn® and Captiva also boast a 25-year stain and fade limited warranty.
Note: The colors represented herein are reproduced with printer’s inks and may vary from actual factory products. For actual product colors and finishes, please visit your Latitudes dealer.
Leave a signature mark of quality on your next Latitudes decking or railing project. Request a free brass Latitudes emblem today!
The diagrams and instructions in this brochure are for illustration purposes only and are not meant to replace a licensed professional. Any construction or use of the product must be in accordance with all local zoning and/or building codes. The consumer assumes all risks and liability associated with the construction or use of this product. The consumer or contractor should take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the project, including, but not limited to, wearing the appropriate safety equipment. EXCEPT AS CONTAINED IN THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTY, THE WARRANTOR DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
