La Crescent , 55947

Why are you replacing the deck boards? If it is because they are rotting then you need to take a probe and check the joists, girder beams and ledgers to make sure they are not also deteriorating. The number one problem we see is the ledger against the house was not originally flashed correctly and the water gets in between the ledger and the ring joist of the home. When that rots, the deck falls down! Saw this two weeks ago on a 24'x16' deck in Holmen when during a gathering the deck disconnected from the house and fell over. Luckily it is only 3' above the ground and no one was hurt. If you are just upgrading the appearance, I would still check the super structure out carefully, but then the main concern is what are you going to replace it with? treated lumber is inexpensive ($1 sf), but requires regular maintenance to stay nice looking. Composites are less maintenance but end to be expensive ($4-5 sf). The best and most expensive are the full pvc decking products like Azek ($5-7 sf) that have a great system for fastening that leaves no screw holes and do not stain or turn gray like the composites. Need a bit more expertise on installation due to expansion but not that difficult.
Mark Etrheim Mastercraft Homes Inc, 781-7200