Pre-Installation Steps

Before you even begin to install your new Brazilian Teak deck, you must prepare the wood. This is a simple process that is nonetheless extremely important. Like all wood, Brazilian Teak is an organic material that will absorb or release moisture until depending on the local environment. This makes the deck boards expand or shrink.

The process of equalizing moisture content with the surrounding air is called acclimation. While the process itself is easy, it can take some time, so make sure you plan ahead. Rushing this process or doing it improperly will create problems in your deck later on, including warping and buckling.

Follow these steps to properly acclimate your Brazilian Teak decking:

• Store the wood outside in an area similar to the final installation site for several weeks. The exact time may vary depending on your climate.
• You can stack the deck boards, but make sure to keep the stack elevated off the ground, and use pieces of scrap wood between each layer so that the air can flow freely across every board face.
• Do not cover the wood under a tarp. This creates a greenhouse effect and prevents the wood from achieving the proper moisture content.