DECK INSTALLATION TRACK AND METHOD

1 . A method of installing 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.

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:

displacing a snap-fit element while snapping the decking board into position.

5 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

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

6 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

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

7 . 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.

8 . The method of claim 7 , comprising:

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

9 . The method of claim 7 , 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.

10 . The method of claim 7 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.

11 . The method of claim 10 , 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.

12 . A track for decking; comprising:

a base element having a first end portion, a second end portion opposing the first end portion, and at least one attachment element for attaching the track to a joist;

a first snap-fit element coupled to the first end portion of the base element; and

a second snap-fit element coupled to the 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.

13 . The track of claim 12 , wherein:

the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a first decking board; and

the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a second decking board.

14 . The track of claim 12 , comprising:

a third snap-fit element coupled to the first end portion of the base element; and

a fourth snap-fit element coupled to the second end portion of the base element; wherein:

the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a first decking board; and

the third snap-fit element and the fourth snap-fit element are configured to retain a first end portion of a second decking board.

15 . The track of claim 12 , wherein:

the at least one attachment element comprises a through-hole; and

the through-hole is configured to allow a fastener to be set into the joist at approximately a ninety degree angle relative to a top of the joist and a top of the base element.

16 . The track of claim 12 , wherein:

at least a portion of the first and second snap-fit elements comprises a hardened steel.

17 . The track of claim 12 , wherein:

at least one of the first snap-fit element and the second snap-fit element is configured to be displaced while a user snaps the decking board into a retained position.

18 . The track of claim 12 , wherein:

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

19 . The track of claim 12 , comprising:

an elevating element configured to maintain the decking board elevated relative to the attachment element after the decking board is snapped into a retained position.

20 . The track of claim 12 , comprising:

a plurality of central snap-fit elements attached to the base element between the first and second end portions of the base element; wherein

the first snap-fit element, the second snap-fit element, and the plurality of central snap-fit elements are configured to maintain a consistent spacing between each of a plurality of decking boards.