Skipping a Joist – OC Spacing
Scenario: A large deck with expensive hardwood or composite boards with 12" on center and it is time to install Deckmaster®. Can I just put the brackets on every other joist, which saves time and money?
Answer: Skipping a joist will save money today, but will cost more later. When the deck boards expand and contract, the boards will bow up above the unfastened joist. Applying pressure (walking on the deck) would place intolerable stress on the adjoining fasteners for which they are not designed. All building codes require 2 fasteners per deck board per joist.