Understanding Sablewood Decking Material Characteristics
Sablewood is a pre-finished hardwood decking material. This means it arrives on site with a ready-to-spec finish, which reduces on-site decisions and provides a consistent starting appearance. As a hardwood, it offers a substantial feel for outdoor surfaces and architectural applications.
The pre-finished nature of Sablewood means the boards are ready for installation upon arrival, provided they have been stored correctly. Protecting this finish from damage during transport and storage is essential for maintaining the intended aesthetic of your deck. The material is designed for decks, pergolas, boardwalks, and patios, where authentic wood is central to the design. Lumber Plus can assist in matching the profile, quantity, and finish to your project drawings and installation approach.
Planning for Delivery: Site Access and Offloading
Before your Sablewood decking arrives, assess your jobsite for delivery truck access. Consider the size of the truck, potential turning radii, and overhead obstructions like power lines or tree branches. If your site has limited access, such as a narrow street or a long driveway, discuss these constraints with your supplier when placing your order. They may offer specific delivery options or require you to make arrangements for a smaller transfer vehicle.
Identify a clear, level area for offloading. This area should be free of debris, mud, and excessive slopes. Ensure there is enough space for the delivery personnel to safely maneuver and unload the material. If a forklift is required for heavy bundles, confirm that the offloading area can support its weight and movement. Communicate any specific offloading instructions or site peculiarities to the delivery team in advance.
Jobsite Storage: Protecting Your Investment
Proper storage of Sablewood decking on site is crucial to prevent damage from weather, moisture, and theft. The material should be stored in a dry, covered area, away from direct sunlight and precipitation. If an enclosed space like a garage or shed is not available, use a tarp or other waterproof covering, ensuring adequate air circulation to prevent moisture buildup.
Elevate the bundles off the ground using stickers or blocking to prevent moisture absorption and allow for airflow. This also helps protect the boards from pests and ground-level debris. Stack the decking bundles flat and level to prevent warping or bowing of the boards. Avoid storing materials directly on concrete or asphalt without a vapor barrier, as these surfaces can transfer moisture.
Consider the security of your stored materials. If your jobsite is accessible to the public, plan for secure storage to deter theft. This might involve locking up materials overnight or storing them in a less visible location on the property.
Jobsite Staging: Optimizing Workflow
Staging refers to the strategic placement of materials on the jobsite to facilitate efficient installation. For Sablewood decking, this means positioning bundles close to the work area but not obstructing access or creating hazards. If your project involves multiple levels or distinct sections, plan to stage materials relevant to each phase of the installation.
Consider the flow of work. For example, if you are working on a large deck, you might stage bundles around the perimeter, ensuring easy access for cutting and fastening. Avoid placing heavy bundles on newly constructed deck frames until the frame is fully complete and inspected for structural integrity. Always keep pathways clear for workers and equipment.
If you are using longer board lengths, ensure there is sufficient space for maneuvering and cutting them safely. A dedicated cutting station, away from the main installation area, can improve efficiency and reduce sawdust spread.
Worked Example: Delivery and Staging for a 12x20 Foot Deck
Let's consider a hypothetical project: a 12-foot by 20-foot Sablewood deck on a suburban property with a paved driveway and an existing two-car garage. The decking order consists of 30 bundles, each measuring 12 feet long and weighing approximately 150 pounds.
**Delivery Planning:** The delivery truck is a standard flatbed. The driveway is 10 feet wide and 50 feet long, leading to the garage. There are no overhead obstructions. The ideal offloading spot is at the end of the driveway, near the garage door, allowing the truck to pull in, offload, and exit without extensive maneuvering. We would communicate to the supplier that a forklift will be needed for offloading and confirm the driveway's ability to support it.
**Storage Plan:** The two-car garage offers a secure, covered, and dry space. We would clear a 13-foot by 6-foot area inside the garage. This space is sufficient to stack the 12-foot long bundles, allowing for a small buffer. Before stacking, we would place 4x4 lumber as stickers every 2 feet along the length of the storage area to elevate the bundles, ensuring airflow and preventing direct contact with the concrete floor. The bundles would be stacked no more than 4 feet high to maintain stability and ease of access.
**Staging Plan:** As the deck frame is being built, the Sablewood bundles remain in the garage. Once the frame is complete and inspected, we would move approximately 5-7 bundles at a time to the perimeter of the deck frame. These bundles would be placed on temporary supports or directly on the ground (if dry and level) with protective sheeting underneath, positioned to minimize carrying distances for the installers. The main cutting station would be set up on a clear, flat area adjacent to the deck, allowing for efficient material flow from the garage to the cutting area and then to the installation point.
Before you order
- Confirm delivery truck size and accessibility to your jobsite.
- Identify a clear, level, and safe offloading area.
- Determine if special equipment (e.g., forklift) is needed for offloading.
- Plan for a dry, covered, and secure storage location for decking bundles.
- Ensure materials will be elevated off the ground with proper airflow.
- Assess the structural integrity of any existing structures if staging materials on them.
- Map out staging areas that optimize workflow and minimize material handling.
- Communicate all site-specific details and requirements to your material supplier and delivery team.
- Confirm who will be present to receive and inspect the delivery.
Confirm installation details, approved uses and warranty terms in the current instructions for the exact product and profile. Your installer should verify the substrate, structure and applicable project requirements.
Questions to help you decide
How soon before installation should Sablewood decking be delivered?
It is generally advisable to have your Sablewood decking delivered a few days to a week before you plan to begin installation. This allows time for the material to acclimate to the local environmental conditions and for you to inspect the delivery thoroughly. However, ensure you have a suitable, protected storage area ready as soon as the material arrives to prevent damage.
What should I do if my jobsite has very limited access?
If your jobsite has limited access, such as a narrow lane or steep incline, communicate these challenges to Lumber Plus when you place your order. They may be able to advise on alternative delivery methods, such as using a smaller truck for transfer, or suggest arrangements like offloading at a nearby staging point and then transferring materials to the jobsite with smaller equipment. Planning ahead is key to avoiding delays.
Can I store Sablewood decking outdoors uncovered?
No, Sablewood decking should not be stored outdoors uncovered. As a pre-finished hardwood, it is susceptible to damage from direct sunlight, rain, and excessive humidity, which can lead to warping, discoloration, or finish degradation. Always store bundles in a dry, covered area, elevated off the ground, and protected from the elements to preserve the material's quality.
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