Gapping isn’t optional if you want your deck to last a lifetime. Green Shield specifically trains our crews on the best deck installation methods. Green Shield crews know how to miter, use hidden fasteners, and properly frame a deck so that it won’t warp or crack. Our construction methods are proven and tested across [var:totalDecksBuilt] decks in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. From clean lines on stair cases to picture frames, every deck board is gapped properly.
Deck Gapping
Gapping in the decking industry refers to the space between deck boards. Proper gapping is important for maintaining your deck’s appearance and safety. The gaps between the deck boards allow for airflow, drainage, and expansion due to heat or moisture. Decks built with improper gapping can warp, buckle, or crack when exposed to heat expansion and adverse weather conditions.
Green Shield Deck Builders always perfectly applies deck gapping on your project.
The Green Shield Difference
"Our training makes sure that Green Shield crews get your gapping right every time, so that it lasts for life!"
- Adam Rought,
CEO & Founder
Green Shield Makes Sure Every Deck is Properly Gapped
What is Deck Gapping?
Green Shield trains our crews to execute precise, uniform gapping across every deck board, staircase, and picture-frame accent. As part of the Green Shield Proven Process, this practical engineering prevents costly structural damage while delivering a beautifully finished, low-maintenance deck that is built to last.
Deck Drainage
Keep Moisture Off Your Deck
Proper deck drainage protects your outdoor living space from decay, mold, and rot through precise gapping, ventilation, and flashing. Green Shield builds low-maintenance decks using rice hull composite deck boards and our Proven Process to stop moisture accumulation, delivering a forever deck.
Built By Hand. Backed by Green Shield.
See Projects from America's #1 Deck Builder
Protect your deck from costly warping and weather damage. Get proper deck gapping when you work with Green Shield Deck Builders.
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Urban Hazelwood Backyard Deck with Green Shield Stairs
Ypsilanti, MIUrban Hazelwood Backyard Deck with Green Shield Stairs
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Tigerwood and Tropical Walnut-Trimmed Backyard Deck with 2 Custom Built-in Benches
Holland, MITigerwood and Tropical Walnut-Trimmed Backyard Deck with 2 Custom Built-in Benches
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493 Sq. Ft. Tropical Walnut deck featuring White Baluster Railing
Grand Rapids, MI493 Sq. Ft. Tropical Walnut deck featuring White Baluster Railing
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333 Sq. Ft. Ash Gray deck featuring Black Picture Frame
Kalamazoo, MI333 Sq. Ft. Ash Gray deck featuring Black Picture Frame
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Shield Building Practices
Deck Gapping is just one of the ways Green Shield Deck Builders makes sure your deck is built to last a lifetime.
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That’s right—a Green Shield deck never requires staining. High-performance, fully capped EPL resin boards are reliably engineered to last a lifetime without the need for sealing or painting. This premier, moisture-resistant technology ensures a low-maintenance outdoor space that maintains its high-quality finish through every season.
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Yes! Green Shield engineers America’s #1 pet-friendly decks, prioritizing safety for every family member. High-performance rice hull composite features fully capped, scratch-resistant technology that remains slip-resistant and VOC-free. With heat-blocking innovation and mold resistance, these reliably engineered decks provide a premier, lifetime warrantied space for pets and homeowners alike.
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Green Shield provides uninterrupted 12-month building availability through our Proven Process, which utilizes engineered foundation solutions that are 100% cement-free and require zero cure time. Standard deck builders stop construction during winter because traditional poured concrete footings freeze and fail to set. By eliminating concrete entirely, Green Shield is able to ensure seamless deck installation regardless of temperature or climate challenges.
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Yes! Green Shield is known for handling permits for every project. Year round, our permitting department works with local municipalities to make sure your deck is safe, up to local ordinances, and inside your property lines. Permits can be a headache for homeowners and can cost $1000 or more on top of construction costs. Green Shield includes the cost of permitting in our flat rate quote, giving homeowners peace of mind.
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Traditional wood requires yearly sealing and can fail completely, requiring replacement, in as little as 7-10 years. Green Shield wood-free boards are engineered to last for a lifetime and require zero staining, saving homeowners tens of thousands in labor and material costs.
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Yes, Green Shield decks are environmentally friendly. Green Shield utilizes a proprietary rice hull composite engineered from 95% recycled materials. While traditional composite boards rely on wood-fillers that eventually rot, Green Shield selects rice hulls for their natural moisture resistance and environmental benefits. By prioritizing VOC-free construction, our team ensures a premier outdoor living space that is as safe for the homeowner as it is durable against the elements. Choosing Green Shield means investing in a sustainable build that never compromises on structural integrity.
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Yes! Our crews have built hundreds of decks during winter months over the last several years. Even during some of the coldest winters, Green Shield’s craftsmen continue to build amazing decks.
