If you build or repair decks very often, you know how much time the little details can eat up. One of those details is keeping a consistent gap between boards, especially when store-bought spacers go missing right when you need them. This project turns chopped silicone spatulas and two simple household items into sturdy, reusable deck board spacers that can handle outdoor work without cracking or slipping around.
I love projects like this because they save money and solve a real problem with things you may already have at home. If you're a weekend DIYer, a homeowner replacing a few deck boards, or somebody who likes clever workshop fixes, this is a practical little make that comes together fast and earns its keep.
Materials
3 silicone spatulas, standard 10 to 12 inch kitchen spatulas
Instructions
1. Cut the silicone spatula heads into rectangular pieces about 1 1/2 inches long and as wide as the original spatula blade, aiming for several matching chunks from all 3 spatulas.
2. Fill a medium saucepan with about 2 quarts of water and bring it to a gentle boil on the stove.
3. Drop the silicone pieces into the hot water and boil them for 3 to 5 minutes, just until they soften and become easier to shape.
4. Lift out one softened piece at a time with tongs or a fork, then immediately clamp it between the flat gripping ends of a clothespin to compress it into a uniform spacer shape.
5. Use additional clothespins to hold more silicone pieces, keeping the edges aligned so the thickness stays as consistent as possible from one spacer to the next.
6. Let the clamped pieces cool completely for 20 to 30 minutes so they set in their compressed shape.
7. Remove the cooled silicone pieces from the clothespins and check the thickness; trim any uneven edges with a utility knife or sturdy scissors so the spacers are square and easy to slide between deck boards.
8. Test one spacer between two scrap boards or along an open deck seam, and set aside the pieces that give you the snug, repeatable gap you want.
9. Make a full set of matching spacers and keep them in your tool bucket so you can place several at once as you fasten each deck board.
Variations & Tips
For narrower gaps: Clamp the softened silicone more firmly and trim to your thinnest consistent pieces for tighter board spacing.
For wider gaps: Stack two softened silicone layers together before clamping if you need a slightly thicker spacer for wetter lumber or a different deck plan.
Batch-making tip: I like to prep all the cut pieces before I start boiling, because once the silicone is soft, things move quickly and it is much easier to work assembly-line style.
Consistency tip: Choose clothespins with similar spring pressure so your spacers compress to nearly the same thickness.
Job-site tip: Make at least 6 to 8 spacers so you can spread them across one board at a time; that keeps the line straighter and saves a lot of adjusting.
Storage tip: Keep the finished spacers in a small coffee can or zip bag with your deck screws so they are handy the next time you need them.
Picky-project tip: If you like everything to match neatly the way I do when I am getting a family meal table-ready, sort the finished spacers by thickness and keep only the most even ones for your main set.