Sealed decking porch system

Abstract

A decking and system that utilizes gap seals to seal spaces between flooring components. The gap seals are shaped to match the shapes of the spaces between the flooring components. As a result, when the seals are placed in the spaces, a sealed, continuous, uninterrupted decking surface is created.

1 . A decking system comprising:
 a plurality of beams arranged to create a floor surface;   at least one slot disposed between the beams of said plurality of beams; and   a gap seal adapted to fit within said at least one slot.   
   
   
       2 . The decking system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one slot includes a generally I-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       3 . The decking system of  claim 2 , wherein said gap seal includes a generally I-shaped cross-section that corresponds to said I-shaped cross-section of said at least one slot. 
   
   
       4 . The decking system of  claim 3 , wherein said gap seal further includes edges that are shaped in the form of a shape selected from a group consisting essentially of bull-nose, round, and square. 
   
   
       5 . The decking system of  claim 3 , wherein said gap seal is a different color than said plurality of beams. 
   
   
       6 . A decking system comprising:
 at least one decking surface;   at least one slot disposed within said decking surface; and   a gap seal adapted to fit within said at least one.   
   
   
       7 . The decking system of  claim 6 , wherein said at least one slot includes a generally I-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       8 . The decking system of  claim 7 , wherein said gap seal includes a generally I-shaped cross-section that corresponds to said I-shaped cross-section of said at least one slot. 
   
   
       9 . The decking system of  claim 8 , wherein said gap seal further includes edges that are shaped in the form of a shape selected from a group consisting essentially of bull-nose, round, and square. 
   
   
       10 . The decking system of  claim 8 , wherein said gap seal is a different color than said at least one decking surface. 
   
   
       11 . A method of making a deck or porch comprising:
 placing a plurality of beams spaced distances from each other to form a decking surface having spaces between the beams; and   inserting gap seals into the spaces between the beams to seal the spaces and create a deck or porch having an uninterrupted upper surface.   
   
   
       12 . The method of making a deck or porch of  claim 11 , wherein each of the spaces has a generally I-shaped cross-section. 
   
   
       13 . The method of making a deck or porch of  claim 12 , wherein each of the gap seals includes a generally I-shaped cross-section that corresponds to said I-shaped cross-section of each of the spaces. 
   
   
       14 . The method of making a deck or porch of  claim 13 , wherein each of the gap seals further includes edges that are shaped in the form of a shape selected from a group consisting essentially of bull-nose, round, and square. 
   
   
       15 . The method of making a deck or porch of  claim 13 , wherein said gap seal is a different color than the plurality of beams. 
   
   
       16 . The method of making a deck or porch of  claim 11 , further comprising precutting ends of the beams so that each of the spaces has a generally I-shaped cross-section.