DuraLife Porch Collection
Installation Instructions
™
Updated: 1/11
www.gaf.com
Plan
the design of the porch… it is the beginning of a successful project.
DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring should only be used on covered porch applications.
1. Completely read the application instructions… before starting the installation of the porch.
Getting Started...
2. Properly unload and store DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring…
• D
o not dump or drop flooring… from the back of a truck or trailer. Flooring should be
off-loaded by forklift or by hand.
• Store flooring… on a level area on wood supports placed every 3 feet (914 mm).
• Protect DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring... during storage with lumber cover or tarp.
• U
se proper lifting techniques… when lifting DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring; it is
heavier than standard wood materials.
3. Use proper joist placement… to realize savings in both time of installation and cost of
materials. Make sure the joist direction maximizes the desired lay-out of the porch. Typically
the joist direction is parallel to the structure so that DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring can
be installed perpendicular to the structure for optimal drainage.
4. Follow all local and state building codes… when planning and installing your porch.
5. Use normal wood working tools… to cut, route, or fasten DuraLife™ Porch Collection
flooring. For cutting, use carbide-tip saw blades with approximately 2 teeth per inch
(approximately 2 teeth per 25 mm).
6. Tools needed…
• Cordless drill
• Drill and countersink bit
• #1 square drive bit
• Circular saw
• Tape measure
• Chalk line
• Router (optional)
7. Always use personal safety equipment… when using tools.
Ventilation and
Drainage…
1. To perform properly… DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring must be installed with proper
drainage and ventilation.
2. Ensure that:
a. T here is proper slope for drainage…1/4” per foot (21mm/m) slope of the porch
away from the structure is required to provide for optimal drainage.
b. T here is proper clearance from grade for ventilation… the substructure must have at
least 2” (51 mm) clearance from grade. (See below for exception for installation on a
sleeper system.)
3. Never attach DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring directly to… any solid surface,
watertight membrane, concrete, or existing decking.
1
4. If installing the porch on a solid surface or watertight membrane… use a criss-cross
sleeper system consisting of pressure treated 2”x 4” (51 x 102 mm) lumber laid flat. The
system must be secured to the surface below and the bottom sleeper must follow the
Second Floor Porch Installation
Wall of House
SIDE VIEW
2 x 4 Criss-cross Sleeper System
direction of the slope. If the porch is installed over a waterproof membrane, the sleeper
system must be properly flashed into the membrane system to maintain the waterproof
integrity of the membrane system.
Joist
3"
Soffit
Vent
Plywood &
membrane
Ceiling
5.DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring will not provide a watertight covering… water will
flow between the flooring.
6. Never obstruct ventilation… by placing barriers that prevent air flow from reaching the
bottom of the porch floor. ( See Drawing #1 for proper ventilation requirements.)
Second Floor Porch Installation
Three Wall Installation Side View
3
4" gap &
quarter round
SIDE VIEW
Criss-cross Sleeper System
2 x 4 Criss-cross Sleeper System
Wall of House
Wall of House
SIDE VIEW
Joist
3"
Soffit
Vent
Plywood &
membrane
Ceiling
Floor Register Vent
Front
detail
Joist
3"
Soffit
Vent
Drawing #1
Framing Your
Porch…
1. Use minimum nominal 2”x 8” (51mm x 203 mm)… sized joist for porch frame
constructions. Use KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) stamped framing lumber since it is
Three Walllighter,
Installation
Side to
View
typically straighter,
easier
handle, and will not shrink or expand as much after
installation as non-KDAT lumber.
Porch
Collection flooring as structural members… when constructing
2. Never use DuraLife™SIDE
VIEW
your porch.
3
4" gap &
quarter round
Criss-cross Sleeper System
Wall of House
3. Use 16” (406 mm) on center joist spacing… starting with the ledger board. Install
DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring perpendicular to the joists. (See Drawing #2.)
Floor Register Vent
Front
detail
4. Confirm required joist spacing… with local and state building code agencies.
5. If heavy equipment is going to be installed
on the porch… such as a hot tub, consult
the equipment manufacturer for specific
requirements for framing and support.
Do not install heavy equipment directly on top
of DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring.
Joist
3"
Soffit
Vent
6. Install the framing joist vertically… with the
2” (51 mm) side in contact with the flooring.
Do not install DuraLife™ Porch Collection
Drawing #2
flooring on framing that has been installed flat
with the 8” (203 mm) side in contact with the flooring because this may cause debris and
moisture to be trapped between the framing and flooring resulting in premature deterioration.
Blocking is
REQUIRED
Where The End
of Two Deck
Boards Meet…
2
When the design of the porch is wider than 16’ (4.9 m) or it is a unique
design… blocking (“sistering”) or additional framing is required.
1. DO NOT share joist or fasteners at butt end joints of the flooring…
the ends of each board must be individually supported and fastened
(See Drawing #3).
2. Transition/divider boards or other intricate designs… require additional
blocking or framing.
Drawing #3
floorinG
SPacinG or
GaPPinG…
All porch flooring expands and contracts… as the temperatures and seasons change.
When installing DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring… always space flooring to provide the
following minimum gaps to allow for these changes:
• Side to Side… do not hammer flooring tightly together. A slight gap of approximately
1/32” (0.8 mm) is built into the product for expansion and contraction.
• End to End… typically 3/16” (4.8 mm depending on flooring length and temperature
(see Chart 1 - Spacing Calculator.)
• Structure…1/4” (6.4 mm) between all flooring and any structure or post.
DO NOT place columns, posts, or other parts of the structure on top of the DuraLife™ Porch
Collection flooring.
Drawing#4
• Create a plywood island…underanyloadbearingcolumn,post,orheavyequipment.
Creating a slightly thicker (1” (25 mm)) plywood island underneath area of the load will
allowtheloadtobetransferredwithoutgoingontopoftheflooring(SeeDrawing#4).
Follow all local and state building codes.
• DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring must not be installed in a picture frame method…
because of the slight amount of expansion and contraction.
• Install DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring at temperatures above 30° F (-1° C)… to
allow for correct spacing.
color and
orientation of
the floorinG…
faSteninG…
1. Always lay out the flooring… beforefinalinstallationtoensureanacceptablecolormix.
There are slight variations in color from board to board.
2. DuraLife™ Porch Collection Flooring may be primed and painted… do NOT use stain
on your DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring. DuraLife™ Porch Collection is available in a
weatheredgreycoloranddoesnotrequirepainting.DuraLife™ Porch Collection may be
primedwithapremiumalkydporchprimerandfinishedwithahighqualityporchand
floor paint. For more information about the alkyd porch primer, contact Duarnt Performance
Coatings at (800) - 420 0021
Note: DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring will naturally weather to a lighter shade of grey
over time.
Stainless steel screw fasteners…arerequiredforinstallationofDuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring.
1. Use #7 x 2 1/4” stainless steel, trim head deck screws… when installing DuraLife™ Porch
Collection flooring - these are available through your DuraLife™ Porch Collection dealer.
2. DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring is pre-drilled…sothatthefirstholeis5/8”(16mm)
from the edge and will attach to the ledger. Holes are 16” (406 mm) on center from the
firsthole.
3. Pre-drill and countersink… when the factory drilled holes do not line up with the framing.
A 7/64” drill bit diameter with a 1/4” 60° countersink is optimal.
4. Pre-Drill… at a 45° angle through the tongue of the product when drilling additional holes.
5. For corner and butt applications… pre-drill and
countersink.Fastenwith#7x21/4”stainlesssteel,trim
head deck screws. For corners use a transition board that
extends out from the corner at a 45°angle. This board will
need to be face fastened and the tongue ripped off. This
will allow for the gap to be split on both sides of the board.
(SeeDrawing#5.)
6. Never place fasteners… closer than 5/8” (16 mm) from
the edge or ends of the flooring.
Helpful Hints:
• Takeameasurementofthetotalwidthoftheinstalledflooringtomakesuretheyareparallel
every7-8courses.
3
Finishing
The Installation…
Trimming may be needed… after all porch flooring has been installed:
1. DuraLife™ Porch Collection should NOT extend more than 1” (25 mm)… beyond the
framing in any direction.
2. Use a white chalk line… to provide a cut line for squaring off the porch.
Caution: Colored chalk can stain the flooring and can be very difficult to remove.
3. Use a circular saw… to trim the ends of the DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring along the
chalk line.
For Stairs Use
DuraLife™ Porch
Collection Stair
Tread…
DuraLife™ Porch Collection Stair Tread… is available for use on stair applications.
Install by:
1. Leaving a minimum 3/16” (4.8 mm) gap… between stair treads for proper drainage.
2. Leaving a minimum gap of 1/8” (3.2 mm) gap… between the riser board and the stair
tread.
3. Face fastening with… #8 x 2 1/2” stainless steel, trim head deck screws.
For Trim Use
DuraLife™ Porch
Collection Trim…
DuraLife™ Porch Collection Trim… is available from your DuraLife™ Porch Collection dealer.
Install by…
1. Pre-drilling and countersinking… every 12” on center.
2. Face fastening with… #7 x 2 1/4” stainless steel, trim head deck screws.
Care And
Cleaning…
1. To maintain the appearance of your DuraLife™ Porch Collection flooring… sweep
periodically and clean spills with soap and water.
2. If grime, ground-in dirt, mold or mildew becomes a concern… consult the DuraLife™ Porch
Collection cleaning instructions online at www.gaf.com or call 1-877-332-5877. Caution: Only use pressure washers for low pressure wetting and rinsing. High pressure
washing can damage the surface of the decking. Always test all cleaning products on an
inconspicuous area before using on the entire porch floor.
Lumber Sizes
Dimensions
and
Lumber Sizes and Dimensions
Product Nominal SizeLengthActual Size
DuraLife™ Porch Collection
7/8” x 3 1/8”
8’, 10’, 12’, 16’
0.85” x 3.06”
Chart 1.
Chart 1…
Deck Spacing
Calculator
Note: Always allow the greater
of a 1/4” gap or the value
from chart around column or
other fixed elements. For values
greater than those shown in the
chart please contact GAF at
1-866-322-5877 or online
at www.gaf.com.
4
Deck Spacing Calculator
Board 10(°F)
10°
Length
Maximum Anticipated Termperature Increase from Time of Installation
12(°F)
12°
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(°F)
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50°
Required Gap (Inches) at Butt Joints or Other Immoveable Objects
6
1/16
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3/16
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11
1/16
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1/8
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1/8
1/8
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3/16
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12
1/16
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1/8
1/8
1/8
3/16
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1/4
13
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
1/4
1/4
1/4
14
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
15
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
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3/16
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
5/16
16
1/16
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1/16
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
1/4
5/16
5/16
©2011 GAF Materials Corporation 1/11 #720
1361 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 www.gaf.com RESDS131