MicroShades Joists

MicroShades Joists for Sale in Ireland

MicroShades takes the slow part of building a deck off your hands. Every joist is treated softwood with a factory applied finish, so it goes into the frame looking finished from day one. There is no waiting for dry weather to treat the timber on site and no patchy results from a rushed coat.

They are made to sit under MicroShades decking, so the frame and the boards share the same finish and weather in step.

MicroShades joist sizes

Both sizes are 44 mm thick, so you choose the depth by the span. The 100×44 mm joist is a compact choice for low decks and shorter spans, while the 150×44 mm is the standard deck joist, stiffer and able to span further. Then choose the length on the product page; a joist that runs the full width of the deck means no joints to support.

The span either joist can carry depends on the spacing and the load, so have an engineer or a span table confirm the size before you build. The calculator on the product page works out how many joists you need.

Why choose MicroShades joists?

The factory finish is more uniform and better bonded than anything that can be brushed on site, and the treatment penetrates deep into the timber instead of sitting on the surface. With a service life of 20 years and beyond, MicroShades gives you the dependable performance of treated softwood without the wait, which makes it the answer when your build window or the weather is tight.

Joist spacing and installation

Get the spacing right and the deck above feels solid for years:

• Space joists at a maximum of 400 mm centres for a residential deck, and 300 mm or less for heavier loads.
• Give the frame a slight fall of about 1:80 so water drains away.
• Use joist hangers or post anchors with stainless steel fixings rated for the load. See our timber connectors.
• Reseal any cut end with touch up sealer to keep the factory treatment continuous.

MicroShades vs other timber joists

If you’d rather a natural timber you finish yourself, Ecowood joists are kiln dried and light, and Douglas Fir joists go up to heavy 220×70 mm sections. For matching posts, see MicroShades posts and beams.

Looking after MicroShades

MicroShades needs no treatment on site, but the finish keeps its colour depth and protection best with a refresh coat every two or three years, especially on any joists left on show. Our exterior wood oils include finishes to refresh the surface.

See every species in our timber joists range.