08/14/2026
Due to PT lumber varying in height, we router our joist bottoms to exactly the same height where they will sit on the beam. The template is just a piece of oak 1x8 with a lip screwed to it.
I measure from the ledger board to the middle of the beam, set my template on the joist to that number (there is a mark on the template) and router about 8 inches. The router bit is a flush-trim bit.
You can get away with not doing this on PT decking decks but with PVC decking, it shows every little dip and hump, so you need to get your framing as flat as possible.
I order extra lumber and hand-choose the best looking ones. I then crown them the same way before the routering begins.
We have a bit of an assembly line going here, my helper takes it and applies end-cut sealer and leans it up for me to install shortly after.
