deck boards - starting from the house out

[MarkAndDebbie]

A couple of things I read seem to suggest that I should start my first course of deck boards at the edge away from the house and work toward the house. This seems backwards to me. What is the rational? Can I go the other way - house out?

[PEG688]

You have a full piece out at the end thats the rational to that.

I never start out it the end / away from the building.

I do figure out the board widths and the space and come up with a overall width of the deck, and lay out 'check points' as I go , then about 7 or 8 boards from the end I really pay attention to where I'll end and cheat some gaps if I need to.

Another way is to run the joist a little long and when you get near the end  , then measure and cut off the joist, add your rim and any trim when you closer to the end, less margin of error that way.     

[MarkAndDebbie]

Thanks. I'll start at the house and trim the joists.