Learning as I go.
1. It occurred to me that while the composite planks will be anchored to the joists, they won’t be screwed down onto it. Therefore, I needed more lateral stability. Added.

2. Butyl joint tape is heavy and extremely sticky, so laying it on the joists takes some technique, which I *think* I’ve learned: Weigh one end with a brick, roll out the length needed along the joist, then cut. Lastly, remove the backing and slowly work down the joist, pressing the tape as you go. Whew.

All joists taped.
Progress! I’ve got 8 planks laid across and fastened.
I had a slip that could have been bad. One of my planks was off-kilter and I fell between the joists. Fortunately, I caught myself. Unfortunately, I’m gonna have a really impressive bruise on the inside of my arm where I hit the joist, and I somehow scraped a pretty good divot out of my shin. I’ve had worse, and I’m glad it was nothing serious.
@adhdeanasl oh OUCH!
@rockmastermike Yeah, it’s gonna be tender for a couple days, I’m sure.
@adhdeanasl i remember working on a roof back many decades ago and like a dumbass i stepped on the drywall between the joists and went right on through. landed on my ass ON A BED just by shear luck
@rockmastermike @adhdeanasl Sounds like the beginning of a terrible adult film.
@adhdeanasl Wouldn't be complete without an injury... ;>)
@wendigo Or extra trips back to Lowe’s.

@adhdeanasl

Dangit, Dean! Get some pics and leave them for posterity—"Injuries from Great and Onerous Deck-Building Saga of 2026." 🤗

@TheEddieShow I got a shot of the shin. Didn’t think folks here would want to see it.

@adhdeanasl @TheEddieShow "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" - Hamlet

"Just shut up and learn the quote. It'll come in handy some day, you'll see" - My English Teacher, circa 1980

@adhdeanasl Yeah, that's against the rules. I thought we've talked about this. Do not do that again.
@adhdeanasl Glad you’re ok! Whenever I do this kind of thing, I find out where I strained all the muscles used to catch myself. 😐
@markc568 I’m sure I’ll be feeling it tomorrow.
@adhdeanasl Ouch! will your bruise affect your work? I always feel persecuted when i have a cold and can't earn by singing.
@ChristineMalec I have full range of motion. I think I’ll be fine.
If you look closely at that last fastened board, you’ll see the edge has a groove running the length of the board. That groove is where I use the anchors - they’re pretty clever. They act as anchors *and* spacers so the boards are all uniformly gapped.
@adhdeanasl I have been taking notes. I appreciate the documentation you're doing here
@rockmastermike There are always details I didn’t take into consideration when planning the job (extra joists, tape, certain tools), but the actual cutting of the planks and fastening them down has been surprisingly simple.
@adhdeanasl I have an old deck here that might need similar treatment soon.
@adhdeanasl But we love your drive and determination, oh and your honesty.
@adhdeanasl im failing to see where the trapdoor to the snakepit is going to be located🤔
@Theosoreass There’s more room for that on the large part of the deck. This part is only about 1/3 the size of the main part.
@Theosoreass @adhdeanasl
Next to the trap door to the flame pit. Obviously.
@adhdeanasl Looks great already! That’s going to be amazing!

@adhdeanasl this doesn't seem right. I think they should be other side up or something.

Gosh, as a middle aged fellow decking enthusiast it's so hard to just make some dumb attempts at humour and not comment on the excellent quality of your build. Chapeau!