Deck installation track and method

Abstract

A system and method for installing decking are described. One embodiment includes a method of installing decking. The method includes aligning a track for decking relative to a joist. The method further includes attaching the track to the joist, and snapping a decking board into a retaining portion of the track after attaching. In the system, the track has a base element with at least one attachment element for attaching the track to a joist, a first snap-fit element, and a second snap-fit element. The first snap-fit element is coupled to a first end portion of the base element, and the second snap-fit element is coupled to a second end portion of the base element. The snap-fit elements are configured to retain at least one decking board.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of installing decking; comprising:
 aligning a track for decking relative to a joist;   attaching the track to the joist; and   snapping a decking board into a retaining portion of the track after attaching.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the track comprises a base element, the base element comprising at least one attachment element for attaching the track to a joist; a first snap-fit element coupled to a first end portion of the base element; and a second snap-fit element coupled to a second end portion of the base element; wherein the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain at least one decking board; the method comprising:
 maintaining a direct line of site of the at least one attachment element while attaching the track.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein snapping the decking board comprises one of:
 snapping an end portion of the decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element; and   snapping a central portion of the decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 displacing a snap-fit element while snapping the decking board into position.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 using a base element to protect a substantial portion of the top of the joist from weather.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 maintaining the decking board elevated relative to an attachment element using an elevating element.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 attaching a track comprising a plurality of snap-fit elements and a plurality of attachment elements; and   after attaching the track, snapping a plurality of decking boards into a plurality of retaining portions of the track.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 using the plurality of snap-fit elements to maintain a consistent spacing between each of the plurality of decking boards.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising:
 attaching a plurality of tracks to one or more joists, each track comprising a plurality of snap-fit elements and a plurality of attachment elements.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  comprising:
 snapping an end portion of a first decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element; and 
 snapping an end portion of a second decking board into a spacing between a third snap-fit element at the first end portion of the base element and a fourth snap-fit element at the second end portion of the base element. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising:
 maintaining a snap-fit to the first decking board while accommodating a longitudinal and transverse fluctuation in size of the first decking board; and   maintaining a snap-fit to the second decking board independent of the first decking board while accommodating a longitudinal and transverse fluctuation in size of the second decking board.   
     
     
         12 . A track for decking; comprising:
 a base element having a first end portion, a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and at least one attachment element for attaching the track to a joist;   a first snap-fit element coupled to the first end portion of the base element; and   a second snap-fit element coupled to the second end portion of the base element; wherein   the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain at least one decking board.   
     
     
         13 . The track of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a first decking board; and   the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a second decking board.   
     
     
         14 . The track of  claim 12 , comprising:
 a third snap-fit element coupled to the first end portion of the base element; and   a fourth snap-fit element coupled to the second end portion of the base element; wherein:   the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a first decking board; and   the third snap-fit element and the fourth snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a second decking board.   
     
     
         15 . The track of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the at least one attachment element comprises a through-hole; and   the through-hole is configured to allow a fastener to be set into the joist at approximately a ninety degree angle relative to a top of the joist and a top of the base element.   
     
     
         16 . The track of  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least a portion of the first and second snap-fit elements comprises a hardened steel.   
     
     
         17 . The track of  claim 12 , wherein:
 at least one of the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element is configured to be displaced while a user snaps the decking board into a retained position.   
     
     
         18 . The track of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the base element is configured to protect a substantial portion of the top of the joist from weather.   
     
     
         19 . The track of  claim 12 , comprising:
 an elevating element configured to maintain the decking board elevated relative to the attachment element after the decking board is snapped into a retained position.   
     
     
         20 . The track of  claim 12 , comprising:
 a plurality of central snap-fit elements attached to the base element between the first and second end portions of the base element; wherein   the first snap-fit element, the second snap-fit element, and the plurality of central snap-fit elements are configured to maintain a consistent spacing between each of a plurality of decking boards.