Can You Reverse Deck Boards

They are treated lumber.” You bet you can flip them. There’s no harm in doing so. While you’re at it, be sure to clean off any debris from the top of the support joists and check for rot at those locations.

Does it matter which way you run deck boards?

Running the boards parallel to the length is always desirable, it gives the deck a much bigger look. If you run the boards parallel to the width, it tends to give the deck a stumpy look, not very desirable.

What side should be up on deck boards?

This then leads us to the most debated question about installing deck boards: crown up or down. The direction affects how the boards shape over time – cupping or crowning. Deck boards should crown up – bark side down.