How to notch decking around a post

How to notch decking around a postHow to notch decking around a post
Dayne Dayne (57)
Total time: 10 minutes 
Updated: September 15th, 2015

When you are laying your decking and you come up to a post, notching around it is the ideal solution. This guide will show you how to do that step by step.

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1
Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

How to notch decking around a post

How to notch decking around a postHow to notch decking around a post
Dayne Dayne (57)
Total time: 10 minutes 
Updated: September 15th, 2015

When you are laying your decking and you come up to a post, notching around it is the ideal solution. This guide will show you how to do that step by step.

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1
Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

How to notch decking around a post

How to notch decking around a postHow to notch decking around a post
Dayne Dayne (57)
Total time: 10 minutes 
Updated: September 15th, 2015

When you are laying your decking and you come up to a post, notching around it is the ideal solution. This guide will show you how to do that step by step.

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1
Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

How to notch decking around a post

How to notch decking around a postHow to notch decking around a post
Dayne Dayne (57)
Total time: 10 minutes 
Updated: September 15th, 2015

When you are laying your decking and you come up to a post, notching around it is the ideal solution. This guide will show you how to do that step by step.

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1

How to notch decking around a post

woodworking
Dayne Dayne (57)
Total time: 10 minutes 
Updated: September 15th, 2015
Dayne
1
 
3

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1
pencil×1
speed square×1
jigsaw×1
Calling all writers!

We’re hiring. Write for Howchoo

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Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Line up the piece that gets the notch.Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Place a piece of decking on top of the previous piece. This means you’ll have to lay decking as far as you possibly can so you can get as close as possible to the post.

Line up the piece that gets the notch.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Measure edge closest to the postMeasure edge closest to the post

Measure from that board to the closest edge of the post. This will tell you how much wood to leave on the trailing edge.

Measure edge closest to the post

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark that measurement on your boardMark that measurement on your board

Mark the trailing edge of the board at that measurement. Mark it in two places roughly parallel to the edges of your post.

Mark that measurement on your board

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Using a square on the faces of your post, make a mark in line with each side of the post.

Mark the measurement of the other axis.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Measure against the far side of the postMeasure against the far side of the post

Measure the leading edge of the board against the far edge of the post. This tells you how much wood will be left on the leading edge of the board.

Measure against the far side of the post

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Square your marksSquare your marks

Square the marks all around.

Square your marks

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Drill a hole in one cornerDrill a hole in one corner

If you’re cutting an enclosed notch, drill a hole to get you started, otherwise just start from the edge.

Drill a hole in one corner

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

Make a rough cut with the jigsawMake a rough cut with the jigsaw

This gets the wood out of the way for your second cut.

Make a rough cut with the jigsaw

Go back carefully and make the final cut

Negotiate the board onto the post

Calling all writers!

We’re hiring. Write for Howchoo

Dayne's profile pictureDayne
Joined in 2015
Software engineer, co-founder of Howchoo, and renaissance man. Lifelong amateur woodworker, espresso mechanic, freestyle lyricist, drummer, artist, runner, coffee roaster, electrical engineer, gamer, inventor, churner, psychoanalyst, photographer, pizza chef, pit master, audiophile, guitarist, entrepreneur, dad, yogi, cyclist, and barista.
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