In this video, Pat walks through the techniques we use at UglyDeck to get straight, consistent decking and professional-looking borders. We cover where to start your first board, snapping a chalk line, laying deck boards long before cutting them, using hidden fasteners, maintaining consistent spacing, and checking your measurements as you work.
You’ll also see how we handle the final rows, cut the decking to a perfectly straight line, measure and fit picture-frame boards, fine-tune 45° miters, pre-drill for screws, install plugs, and make small adjustments that can make a big difference in the finished deck.
We’re installing scalloped Venture decking in this project, so Pat also explains how the construction of the board affects overhangs, screw placement, and measurements.
Whether you’re building your own deck or just want to understand how professional deck builders approach composite decking, this video is packed with tips you can use on your next project.
Covered in this video:
- Starting your decking from the outside instead of the house
- Snapping a straight reference line
- Why we lay deck boards long and cut them afterward
- Hidden fastener installation
- Keeping deck boards parallel to the house
- Correcting gaps and alignment
- Handling the final two deck boards
- Cutting without damaging joist/beam tape
- Installing a picture-frame border
- Cutting and adjusting 45° miters
- Pre-drilling composite decking
- Screws and color-matched plugs
- Getting clean, consistent spacing
- Pro tips for a cleaner finished deck