Deck Cleats?

[laxray]

I am about to start laying 1708 over my new stringers......



1. Do I lay all of that then attach deck cleats to the side with screws?
2. Or do I try to enclose the cleat in the 1708 with the stringer?
3. And what kind of wood do I use for cleats?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Deck Cleats?

The cleats are only really necessary if you think it'll be hard to hit the 3/4" edge of the stringer plywood w/ a deck hold down screw OR you don't want to put ANY screw holes in the stringers at all to hold down the deck.

I'd wrap your stringers 1st completely

Wrap the cleats 2nd, before you install them

Install the cleats using PB & clamps (no screws)

This ^^^ isolates the cleat from the stringer, so IF there's water intrusion because of a deck hold down screw, it's ONLY into the cleat. Then if the cleat fails after becoming water logged, there's a hope that the stringer is unaffected, allowing you to remove the cleat, rough & scuff the stringer and re-install a new cleat.