Deck installation track and method

1. A method of installing and removing decking; comprising:

aligning a track for decking relative to a joist;

attaching the track to the joist; and

snapping a decking board into a retaining portion of the track after attaching, wherein snapping comprises pressing the decking board downward and causing a snap-fit element in the track to be displaced as the decking board is moved downward, the snap-fit element being unitary with a base of the track, the snap-fit element having a first flange extending upwardly from a base of the track, a second flange extending inwardly and upwardly from the first flange, and a third flange extending outwardly and upwardly from the second flange, the second flange and the third flange forming an inward protrusion;

allowing the inward protrusion in the snap-fit element to engage a recess in a side of the decking board, wherein the second flange abuts a lower portion of the recess and the third flange abuts an upper portion of the recess in the side of the decking board to removably retain the decking board;

pulling the decking board upwardly away from the track; and

allowing the inward protrusion in the snap-fit element to elastically displace as the decking board is moved upward to remove the decking board from the track.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the track comprises a base element, the base

element comprising at least one attachment element for attaching the track to a joist; a first snap-fit element coupled to a first end portion of the base element; and a second snap-fit element coupled to a second end portion of the base element; wherein the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain at least one decking board; the method comprising:

maintaining a direct line of site of the at least one attachment element while attaching the track.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein snapping the decking board comprises one of:

snapping an end portion of the decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element; and

snapping a central portion of the decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

using a base element to protect a substantial portion of the top of the joist from weather.

5. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

maintaining the decking board elevated relative to an attachment element using an elevating element.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

attaching a track comprising a plurality of snap-fit elements and a plurality of attachment elements; and

after attaching the track, snapping a plurality of decking boards into a plurality of retaining portions of the track.

7. The method of claim 6 , comprising:

using the plurality of snap-fit elements to maintain a consistent spacing between each of the plurality of decking boards.

8. The method of claim 6 , comprising:

attaching a plurality of tracks to one or more joists, each track comprising a plurality of snap-fit elements and a plurality of attachment elements.

9. The method of claim 6 comprising:

snapping an end portion of a first decking board into a spacing between a first snap-fit element and a second snap-fit element; and

snapping an end portion of a second decking board into a spacing between a third snap-fit element at the first end portion of the base element and a fourth snap-fit element at the second end portion of the base element.

10. The method of claim 9 , comprising:

maintaining a snap-fit to the first decking board while accommodating a longitudinal and transverse fluctuation in size of the first decking board; and

maintaining a snap-fit to the second decking board independent of the first decking board while accommodating a longitudinal and transverse fluctuation in size of the second decking board.