Best method for installing TimberTech (Earthwood) Fascia? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

tivopaul · 12-03-2008, 12:22 AM

Hey guys,

Anyone have any tips on the best way to fasten TimberTech (Earthwood) fascia to a PT frame? This is a deck I built about a year ago and installed the fascia using Trapease composite deck screws (I thought, strictly to the letter of the instructions available at that time)....now the fascia in some areas is warping significantly (see picture), and in a few cases sheared the head off the screw.

My Timbertech dealer faxed me 'Revised' (which suggests to me that there have been some issues with this) TimberTech Fascia installation instructions...which specified two different methods...1) using stainless steel nails and 2) a #10 countersink and a combination of SS screws and nails, which supposedly will allow the fascia to move around more freely.

Have any of you guys experienced warping like this? Any tricks I should be using when I reinstall/replace the fascia?

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

BreyerConstruct · 12-03-2008, 06:19 AM

For what it's worth Paul, we will glue (using a wood to plastic construction adhesive), finish nail, and add a few screws.

PS, you might be able to get TT to help foot the bill for the repair, since you did it according to their instructions...

HTH,
~Matt

odcarp · 12-03-2008, 06:30 AM

hey tivo, Call your rep, tt moves alot, tight fascia joints in the afternoon loose in the morning. Even using their methods. I tell the customers before I start the job this stuff opens up, makes you look like a wood butcher. Good Luck

bighammer · 12-03-2008, 08:01 AM

We installed quite a bit of Timbertech, everything from the 5/4" plank, T&G planking, and even the Conceloc....I have never been recalled to a job for expansion of the Timbertech materials. My local lumberyard always sent out GRK compsosite color-matched decking screws. We also glue the back side to the PT board, but I have seen nothing that alerts me to BIG problems with timbertech. I had a problem once with staining and they impressed me by being "jonny on the spot" with a sales rep there to "fix" the problem.

John Hyatt · 12-03-2008, 08:30 AM

I dont see how it has a chance of not warping no matter how its fastened. The decking is draining right into/behind it.

Either extend the decking so the facia is under it or install endgrain trim for the same effect. J.

tom m · 12-03-2008, 08:37 AM

I would extend the decking myself. That the best way to me. Installed as the spec sheet says invites water and debris in between the 2 materials.

**BuiltByMAC** · 12-03-2008, 09:58 AM

I've taken to overdrilling the screw holes - basically the head pins the fasica to the pt, the threads don't touch it. That gives the fascia room to expand/contract w/o warping at the screw points. If the fascia butts into anything, cut it 1/8" short. When it warms up, the fascia will expand into the gap, preventing warpage. You just gotta get creative with the initial placement so the gaps aren't noticeable.

Mac

Greg Di · 12-03-2008, 10:34 AM

I SS nail and glue but also moved away from installing with the fascia flush to the surface of the deck.

I run the deck boards over the fascia to help keep crap from falling in the joint.

Likewise, I do mention that fascia is prone to movement and to expect that it may not be perfect for too long.

deckndave · 12-03-2008, 10:52 AM

I have had this problem with evergrain fascia and my solution was to add a 1x 6 deckboard above the 1/2" fascia. That way any minor fascia warping would be concealed by the 1" board above. It also adds a nice 3 dimensional look.

T. D. G. · 12-03-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuiltByMAC

I've taken to overdrilling the screw holes - basically the head pins the fasica to the pt, the threads don't touch it. That gives the fascia room to expand/contract w/o warping at the screw points. If the fascia butts into anything, cut it 1/8" short. When it warms up, the fascia will expand into the gap, preventing warpage. You just gotta get creative with the initial placement so the gaps aren't noticeable.

Mac

Hey Mac if you over drill your holes to let the material move freely, somewhere it has to get hard fasten to make sure the material moves outwardly from the center, this cutting down your movement in half at any one point.

tivopaul · 12-03-2008, 09:46 PM

Thanks alot guys, appreciate all the detailed responses. I did contact the rep and they are going to comp me some material to replace this. FYI the 'revised' instructions that I got from them are attached. I noticed that it specifically mentions TwinFascia rather than Earthwood, but seems like that wouldn't make much difference for something like this.

Mac, your method sounds similar to like the second one they suggest...may give that one a try.

Thanks again.