PLYWOOD DECKING
When you are satisfied the framework for your deck is ready, you can you can start to install the plywood decking. Your plans will tell you how many laminations of plywood will be needed to make up the total thickness required. The first layer is nailed and glued to the deck framing and the second and subsequent layers are glued and stapled to the first. At this stage, you can save a lot of time with the use of air tools to fasten the decking.
Be careful not over nail the first layer to the beams. Remember the nails are only effective until the glue has cured. In the case of the staples, these should be removed after the glue has set and between layers.
When finished, you will need to cover the plywood decks with fibreglass as they cannot be left unprotected and simply painting them would not offer sufficient protection. After the fibreglass has cured the decks and cabin tops can be sanded and painted and a non-skid surface applied.
LAID DECKS
A laid deck can be structural or decorative. For a laid deck to be considered as contributing to the structural strength of the vessel, the planking would need to be at least ¾” [20mm] thickness and the planks should be set in mastic or polysulphide and screwed to the beams or decking. The screws heads should be at least ¼” [6mm] below the surface of the planking and protected with timber plugs. If you install a structural laid deck, you can reduce the plywood deck to compensate for the strength of the overlay.
If you are intending to install a laid deck, it will need to look like a traditional installation, regardless of whether or not it is only intended as a decorative non-skid finish. There are a number of ways to accomplish this finish including buying pre-made decking, which can come in sections like plywood sheeting with the grooves cut in to one side or, pre-prepared teak deck planking from specialists that you can lay yourself or have their artisans do the job.
Before you decide to tackle the installation of a laid deck, be advised that it is a very labour intensive operation and either you or your hired labour will take several days to install even a modest sized deck. The planking can be laid in several ways. Traditionally, it would follow the curve of the sheer or it could run fore and aft parallel to the centre line or a combination of the two or, may even be installed diagonally at a 45 degree angle. Use silicon bronze or stainless screws, depending upon the deck type, with the heads set below the surface to allow for a timber plug to hide the screw.
