Everyone is looking for ways to save money in keeping their deck looking fresh. With the price of lumber and treated wood skyrocketing, many homeowners are forced to look at flipping the deck boards to get more life out of them.
Flipping deck boards means you unfasten them and turn them over so the weathered side faces down and the underside is up. Does flipping deck boards work? Home experts say deck boards can be flipped as long as the wood isn’t too old.
Read further to see more information about when and how to flip deck boards and when it’s time to buy new planks.
Why Flip Deck Boards?
Deck boards will start to curl and cup over time. Deck boards should lie flat and even but will start to sag in the middle with the end pieces remaining higher. This is called “cupping” because water then pools in the middle where the sag is.
Home experts say it doesn’t hurt your deck or the boards to flip them when they are in this condition. This can bring some longevity to your deck until you decide it’s time to replace the planks.
This could extend your deck’s life for several years, up to 10 years.
When to Buy New Boards
There are some cases when flipping deck boards will not solve your problem. Primarily, you can’t flip boards on decks that are so old that the integrity of the wood is lost. Decks that are 20 years old are an example of those where you should invest in replacing the planks.
Replacing planks or flipping boards will be based on your discretion of the condition of the boards. Some boards may still be fairly new but are not a good wood so they may start cupping too soon. These probably won’t get a lot more life out of flipping.
A good wood that just starts to cup may be fine to flip. Before deciding on the project, look underneath the boards to see the condition they’re in. Boards that just need cleaning are perfect for this project.
Flipping boards that are starting to look worn can make your deck look new without nearly the cost of buying new boards.
How Much Does It Cost?
It costs more in labor and time than money to flip deck boards. It is a high-labor project. You will need to pry up the boards you plan to flip and re-attach them. In cases of severe cupping, it could take some effort to re-attach them.
It could take hours or even days to complete the project, depending on the deck size. One couple said they finished their deck-flipping project in five days.
You will need to spend between $50 to $60 on deck stain and some new deck screws for the DIY project. Those who have done this type of project said they bought everything they needed, including a few new boards, for less than $60.
Working the Project
- There are steps to a deck board flipping project.
- The first thing to do is to pressure wash the deck. This removes dirt, mildew, and mold to the topside, which will make it look better when it becomes the underside.
- Doing a pressure wash will also allow you to see the true state of your deck boards. You may find some may be too damaged to flip and need replacing.
- Use a small flat bar to pry around the nails on the boards you are going to flip. Make sure you don’t crack or break the deck boards prying out the nails. Use a hammer to finish removing nails from the boards.
- Put the old nails aside so they don’t fall in the yard or other areas.
- Some decks may have boards screwed in. You can remove those by unscrewing them with a power drill.
- Boards that aren’t staggered and are the same length are easier to flip because you won’t need to cut them. Those that are staggered may need to be cut or puzzled together to make the flip work.
- Home experts suggest taking some time during the flipping to look at your joists. Dirt and debris get trapped on top of the joist and you should clean that off while you’re inspecting them. You should also check for rotten wood in those spots.
- Flip the boards over and nail or screw the board into place.
- You can choose whether to use screws or nails. Some prefer screws because nails can protrude over time and stub toes. Screws offer more security also and are easier to remove should you decide to replace the wood in years to come.
Tips for the Flip
The project requires some specific elements happen to keep the deck stable and secure.
Make sure each end of a deck board ends on a joist.
Those boards ending in the middle of a row must end in the joist’s middle so there’s enough room for the next board to be nailed in.
The boards may need to be cut opposite of their original cut to fit angled sections. Use a miter saw to make the cuts for the right angles.
After the Flip
There is still work to be done after you flipped the boards.
- The first thing to do with the underside up is to pressure wash the deck again. This will make sure the boards that were collecting dirt on the underside are clean before you stain them.
- Pressure washing brings out the natural beauty of the wood.
- Apply washwater on the deck. Brush mineral spirits mixed with varnish on it and let dry for 24 hours before applying stain.
- Apply stain along with the grain pattern and then finish with a sealer. Your deck will look new.
Final Thoughts
Flipping deck board does work to extend the life of your deck. It doesn’t harm your deck and can save you a lot of money. Just be sure the boards are in good shape and still have life left in them before trying to flip them.
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