Terrace board - decking. We lay WPC decking boards using technology. Is it possible to cut WPC trellises?

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We suggest using professional builders to install wood-polymer composite decking boards.

It is prohibited to use the product for other purposes, as columns, supports, beams and other load-bearing structures.WPC decking boards are intended for installation as flooring. The installation method is of great importance; incorrect installation can lead to a reduction in the service life of the material or to its damage. Please read the instructions carefully before installation, especially important pay attention to maintaining gaps between boards.

During storage and unloading, make sure that the decking is laid on a flat surface, preferably on cross beams along the entire length of the boards.
Avoid contact of the surface of the decking board with construction debris, etc.
Strictly follow the recommendations for installing wood-polymer composite decking boards, and also use the recommended tools.
If you have no experience in installing a terrace system, use the services of professionals.

Starring:

, 200mm*25mm
, 150mm*25mm
, 65mm*40mm
, 65mm*15mm

Preparation of the terrace surface

Before the beginning installation of WPC decking boards, make sure that the surface is continuous and level (maximum recommended deviation is no more than 5mm). In case of installation on a solid concrete base, to prevent the joist from breaking or bending when drilling, it is advisable to use a metal fastener made of galvanized or stainless steel to prevent rust.

Adaptation, preparation and checking of decking

Before installing the terrace, it is necessary to give the decking board time to adapt to the environment for 1-2 days. Place the decking on the joists. They should be located on a flat surface no more than 40 cm from each other.
Installation must be carried out by at least two people.
Do not install WPC decking boards at temperatures below 0°C.
It is prohibited to use WPC terrace boards as a support or base for balconies, stairs, etc. In such cases, special measures should be taken in accordance with existing standards. WPC decking boards can be laid on existing balconies, stairs, etc.
At the installation site, as with natural wood, it is necessary to ensure sufficient air circulation so that the space under the floor can dry properly. To achieve this, air must circulate at various points on the deck and a sufficient number of ventilation holes must remain open.
Deck boards may have some color differences due to the presence of natural wood particles in the material from which they are made. Such differences are found in the products of all suppliers of WPC decking boards. Slight color differences may occur in different production batches of products. Painting and brushing of product samples is not strictly prescribed. In this regard, it is recommended to use boards only from the same production batch within the same project. The color of the decking changes during the first weeks after installation. This is a natural process caused by a combination of moisture absorption and exposure to ultraviolet rays, which can cause color differences between previously installed boards and those that have not yet been exposed to sunlight. These differences will disappear over time. Due to the above, color differences are expressly not covered by our warranty.

Carefully check each WPC deck board before installation. An installed board that is damaged before installation (and is nevertheless installed) is not covered by the warranty! The guarantee in all cases is limited to the supply of replacement boards.

About expansion gaps (longitudinal seams)

Longitudinal seams when laying WPC terrace boards are necessary to ensure drainage (draining water from the surface of the terrace system), as well as convenient cleaning of the surface. In addition, expansion joints provide slight thermal expansion/contraction of the WPC decking profile during temperature changes in the environment.

When laying terrace decking, there are two installation options: seam and seamless.

Suture- formed during installation of the terrace using a stainless steel clamp or plastic clip. The seam size is 4-5mm.

This installation option is a prerequisite when assembling a terrace outdoors and in places of high humidity. This method ensures the maximum service life of the products.

Seamless- an option for constructing a closed terrace or installing decking in the premises. Fastening is carried out with a stainless steel clamp with a gap between the boards of up to 1-2mm. This method eliminates debris from entering the system, and also makes its appearance more attractive and convenient to use.

The main rules for installing WPC decking boards

CIRCULATION- it is necessary to ensure sufficient air circulation under the decking, and also to prevent direct contact of structural elements with the ground or grass covering
THERMAL EXPANSIONS- it is imperative to take into account the expansion along the length and width of all structural elements due to changes in temperature and humidity during operation
DRAINAGE- when installing the terrace, maintain a slope of the decking surface of 1-3% for better drainage.
INSTALLATION- installation is carried out at an air temperature not lower than 0ºС.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION OF WPC TERRACE BOARDS

To assemble a terrace, you need the necessary set of tools that will allow you to quickly and efficiently install a terrace system made from WPC decking.


Wood saw	Pencil	Roulette

Email drill	Kiyanka

INSTALLATION OF WPC TERRACE BOARDS

Installation of mounting joists made of WPC

WPC installation logs should not be too long, the recommended length is 3 meters. The step between the central axes of the rows of joists should be 33cm, maximum 35-40cm. The logs should be installed with a small gap at the ends. The gap between the ends of the support beams should be 20mm.

The joists should not be considered as a supporting structure, they themselves should rest on something along their entire length, with the exception of cases where the deck is mounted on pedestals (supports). Between the pedestals it is necessary to maintain a distance of no more than 40 cm (center-to-center). The logs must not be embedded in concrete, glued or otherwise attached to each other.
The logs must not be in the water.
The logs are laid with the grooved side down and the groove up. The groove allows you to install the screw with the clip exactly in the center of the mounting joist.
The logs are laid at a distance of at least 10 mm in length and width from any fixed structure. There must be a gap of at least 20 mm between the lags.
Condensation and water flow along the deck boards, i.e. perpendicular to the joists. Therefore, gaps should be left between the cross joists to ensure good drainage.
Rigid fastening of the joists to the base is not allowed. To press the logs, it is necessary to use brackets made of stainless steel or aluminum, at intervals of about 1 m.
The ends of each board should rest on the joists. Secure the ends to avoid any possible deformation under the board's own weight, and to avoid the risk of the board breaking when loaded on the lip. When laying boards longitudinally, both edges should rest on separate parallel logs.
If the logs cannot be attached to the base (for example, on the roof), they can be laid and fixed on pedestals (supports) located at a distance of no more than 40 cm from each other (center-to-center). In this case, aluminum joists should be used instead of conventional wood composite joists. Make a frame (frame) from aluminum joists (placed perpendicular to each other) to prevent the boards from sagging towards the center.

Expansion gap

Be sure to leave room in advance for the linear expansion of the boards. In places where the decking is installed next to a wall, the gap between the edge of the decking surface and the wall should be from 20 to 30mm. Taking into account the thermal expansion or contraction properties of the main decking profiles made of WPC, the recommended length for the main decking profiles is 3m.

Fastening the board with a clamp. Assembly of the terrace.

Before screwing the screw into the mounting joist, it is necessary to make a hole of a smaller diameter with a drill, no more than ¾ of the diameter of the screw.

To fix the board more tightly and evenly, use a mallet. Tap the side closest to you to create an even gap along the entire length of the main profile.

Where the ends of the main profile meet, use double rows of support joists so that each end of the board rests on its own support joist. The width of the gap between the rows of support profiles should be from 3 to 5 mm.

When laying the last row of the board, where the edge cannot be fixed with a clip, it is allowed to screw in a self-tapping screw/drive a nail into the side of the main profile of the board - at a distance of 2-3mm from the edge.

If the length of the main profile extends beyond the last row of support joists, then the length of the part of the decking protruding above the joist should be less than 2 cm. Otherwise, deformations, breaks or other defects associated with the weight load falling on such places are inevitable.

The final stage of installing the terrace is edging the terrace with a wood grain corner or an end strip around the perimeter. The corner or strip is fastened with a self-tapping screw.

Installing trim corner or end strip

The corner and end strip are used to finish the perimeter of the terrace. They improve the appearance of the terrace flooring, hiding the appearance of the structural elements. Unlike the corner of the wood panel, the end strip does not have a protrusion on the surface of the terrace.

Make sure that the joists at the edge of the deck are at least 5mm longer than the boards.
Saw off a corner or end strip to size and place it along the edge of the flooring, maintaining a distance of at least 5 mm between the board and the plinth.
Screw them tightly to the joists using long stainless steel screws.

The main dimensions used when installing WPC decking boards (summary table)

Description of sizes	Unit		Note
Distance between logs for decking boards made of WPC “Dekin Standard”, 150mm*25mm		No more than 33	If the load on the deck increases (vehicle entry, a large number of people, etc.), the distance between the logs must be reduced to 15-20 cm.
Distance between logs for decking boards made of WPC “Dekin Prestige”, 200mm*25mm		No more than 40	If the load on the deck increases (vehicle entry, a large number of people, etc.), the distance between the logs must be reduced to 20-25 cm.
Expansion joint distance for seamless installation (stainless clamp)
Expansion joint distance for seamed installation (plastic clip)
Distance between WPC terrace boards, with longitudinal joining			Calculation of the distance between the ends of the board: Board length - L, Maximum temperature of the area - Tmax, Installation temperature - T Calculation method: L = (Tmax - T) L* For example: board length is 2 meters, installation temperature is 10, maximum annual temperature is 40, the distance between the ends should be: L = (Tmax-T) L = (0.9 10-4) (40-10) 2000 = 5.4 mm.
The distance between the logs in the longitudinal direction (from the end part, when connecting the logs end-to-end)		at least 20
Distance from the WPC joist to a wall or other obstacle			Calculated based on the total length of the terrace, 1 mm gap per 1 linear meter of decking
			Base slope 1 cm / 1 m.p.
Attaching the log to the base using self-tapping screws or dowel-nails in increments			You can use steel mounting tape or steel mounting angles
Fastening the corner or end strip with self-tapping screws			Attach to the working side of the board (after drilling holes) with stainless steel self-tapping screws
For end and corner connections of corners and decorative strips, the required gap (necessary for thermal expansion)

OPERATION AND CARE OF WPC TERRACE BOARDS

For regular maintenance, use a brush or a high-pressure cleaner (max. 80 bar). When cleaning, clean the boards in the direction they are laid. Do not use an industrial high-pressure dirt cleaner, and to avoid damaging the boards, do not bring the water jet too close. If necessary, you can use a mild detergent. The use of solvents, stain removers, paints and polishes is prohibited under any circumstances.
To avoid the appearance of moss, make sure that the gaps between the boards are clean and water drains well. You can also prevent the appearance of moss by cleaning your decking regularly.
It is recommended to regularly rearrange flower pots and other items to prevent uneven aging of the decking.
Grease and oil stains are best and fastest removed using a household degreaser. Do not allow stains to dry or penetrate into the panel material. If the stain is dry, remove it thoroughly with a high-pressure cleaner and sand in the direction of the grooves. After some time, the discolored area should even out in color.
Scratches can be removed using a wire brush. First, wet the boards as much as possible to prevent discoloration. Gently walk along the entire length of the board to remove any scratches. The resulting slight discoloration will fade over time.
In shaded or partially covered areas, damp spots may appear, which will disappear over time when exposed to ultraviolet radiation or bad weather conditions. This will not affect the actual quality characteristics of the board, so any complaints or claims in this regard will not be considered. This effect will disappear over time, but it cannot be completely avoided. You can speed up its disappearance by brushing.

NOTE

In the case of using WPC decking boards for gazebos, terraces, etc. It is not recommended to use wooden joists, since the thermal expansion of logs made of natural wood differs from the characteristics of materials made of WPC, which can lead to a violation of the geometry or integrity of the terrace flooring.
At the junction of the ends of the terrace boards it is necessary to lay two parallel support logs. That is, the edge of each board rests on its own lag.
During installation, We recommend installing each next row of boards in a “running start” with the joints offset by at least 1/3 of the length of the board.
If during installation you used wedges between the boards and walls, then don't forget to delete them.
End of the board must lie on the log and attached to it with a clip or clamp.
It is not recommended to attach the corner to the edge of the step, since it performs more of a decorative function. We recommend installing an aluminum corner on the edge of the step.
To avoid coals getting onto the decking board (for example, from a barbecue), place a metal sheet under the grill itself.

PRINCIPLE OF INSTALLING WPC TERRACE BOARDS ON A PLASTIC CLIP

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT INSTALLING WPC DECKING?

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WPC boards are one of the most budget-friendly and practical materials for arranging floor coverings for terraces. Since decking is used relatively recently in private construction, many hire workers to install it. However, this is easy to do with your own hands, even without skills and with a minimum set of necessary tools.

WPC decking is corrugated planks (boards) consisting of a base - wood flour, a binding polymer element - polypropylene, modified additives and dyes. Decking is less aesthetically attractive than solid wood decking and does not have the natural wood texture. But this material is preferable in terms of budget - its cost is 1000-1500 rubles per m2, despite the fact that it does not require annual maintenance and renewal.

The advantages also include:

low hydrophobicity;
resistance to fungus, mold, rot;
wide range of colors.

Among other things, the installation of such boards can be carried out by a non-professional in the absence of skills and a large number of specialized tools.

Materials and features of their choice

For work you will need the following materials:

1. Terrace board. If WPC decking is chosen, then you should pay attention to the ratio of components in the composition; the performance characteristics of the future coating depend on this. This information must be contained on the packaging.

If there is much more wood filler than polymer, the decking “inherits” all the disadvantages of natural wood dust. It becomes more fragile, less moisture resistant and, accordingly, short-lived.

When polypropylene predominates, on the contrary, all wood properties are lost, and the board itself is more like a plastic plank, slippery and not attractive enough.

Therefore, for the Russian climate and from an aesthetic point of view, it is best to choose the middle option - 50/50.

ATTENTION! Please note that it is better to take boards with a small margin. If some planks are defective, damaged during installation or subsequent replacement/repair, it will be difficult to purchase decking that exactly matches the tone - for this, the material must be from the same batch.

2. Composite joists Excellent for home installation with a low load factor. They are resistant to aggressive external environments and are durable enough for private use.

ATTENTION! Although many resources say that logs can be made of any material, it is better to use WPC when installing similar decking, since the thermal expansion of wood and composite is different!

3. Fastening elements. It is necessary to prepare clamps. If you want to make a minimum gap between the decking slats of 1 mm, purchase metal clips (made of stainless steel), but it is best to take plastic ones - the gap will be noticeable (4-7 mm), but this improves the underground ventilation of open terraces. Special self-tapping screws are used, with an anti-corrosion coating.

4. Finish corner or end strips necessary as a decorative frame for the outer ends of the boards.

Every owner will have the tools necessary for installation. This is a standard household set.

During the installation of WPC you will need:

An electric saw - a miter saw for cross cutting or a circular saw for longitudinal cutting when fitting materials, or a jigsaw.
Electric drill.
A screwdriver (if you are comfortable drilling and tightening with a drill, you can do without it) or a screwdriver.
Regular bubble level.
Roulette.
Construction pencil.
Rubber mallet.
Carrying (extension) for working with corded power tools.

Step-by-step installation of WPC decking

Before starting work, you need to unpack the material and lay it on a clean, flat, dry surface for a couple of days. This is necessary for its adaptation to the environment.

Prepare all the required tools, once again calculate and mark the length of the materials. If everything is in order, you can begin installing the decking on the terrace.

Stage 1. Surface preparation

The base for decking can be different:

Cement screed or OSB (in covered terraces), pre-treated with waterproofing mixtures.
Compacted cushion of crushed stone-sand type.
Pile-screw design.

If there is no foundation, a crushed stone foundation is allowed, but only as a last resort. To do this, it is necessary to remove a layer of soil to a depth of 30 cm and cover the resulting hole with geotextiles. Then crushed stone is poured in and carefully compacted.

The arrangement of terrace flooring can be done on any suitable, dense base.

Before installing the logs, please note that it is necessary to provide a slope of at least 1-1.5 degrees for water drainage in the direction of laying the boards and appropriate elements for drainage.

Stage 2. Installation of lag sheathing for terrace decking

This is the most important and difficult stage. There are several basic rules for laying lags that must be taken into account before and during installation:

The joists are not the main supporting element of the terrace floor. They must be laid on the base, if not along the entire length, then at least on supporting elements (piles or logs), the center-to-center distance between which does not exceed 40 cm.
You cannot lay the space between the joists with heat-insulating materials - this will reduce the ventilation characteristics of the structure.
The logs are mounted on the base in a perpendicular direction relative to the laying of the decking.
Place the logs with the groove facing up, this will ensure correct alignment of the clamps.
When laying them, use a bubble level or level, adjusting the uniformity of the plane with backing elements under the logs.
Installation is carried out with a gap of 1 cm from any capital structure.
Fastening is best done with metal brackets in increments of approximately 1 meter, but screws can also be used. The main requirement is to screw them flush into the countersunk hole.
The distance between the logs is 30-40 cm.

Stage 3. Installation of decking

Installation starts from the wall. The linear expansion of the WPC is approximately 1%, so the gap between it and the wall should be about 2-3 cm. The decking can be attached to an open type. This is when the screws are screwed, after pre-drilling, directly into the “body” of the plank, and then their heads are masked with caps or tinted. However, this method is the least preferable due to its unattractiveness. Therefore, we will consider closed-type installation in more detail.

The starting row of clamps is screwed to each lag, strictly coaxially. Before screwing in, drill a hole in the joist 3/4 of the diameter of the screw.

The clamps are inserted into the grooves of the first starting board. To ensure that the WPC fits into the clips evenly and tightly, adjust it carefully with a mallet.

On the other side, insert the second row of clamps into the grooves, which are attached in the same way to the guides.

Then lay the next board and secure it with a clamp. This is how the entire installation is completed.

Stage 4. Finishing work

Before closing the ends of the decking, it is important to inspect the resulting structure again.

The end ends of the WPC decking are decorated with corners. To do this, cut the corner to the required length and screw it to the joists using long stainless screws.

For terrace elements with increased load (steps, thresholds) aluminum corners are used.

This completes the installation of the decking board.

Easy to use, but it is a mistake to think that it can be sawed and drilled like any other wood. WPC material differs from wood because it is made from a wood-polymer composite, that is, it consists of crushed wood and purified polymer. It is for this reason that decking differs from many other types of wood in its hardness.

So it can be difficult to saw WPC with ordinary discs. Standard wood has lower values of not only hardness, but also resistance. So, how to cut a decking board and is it possible to cut it at all?

If we talk about tools for working with decking boards, the choice depends entirely on the quality of the material, climatic conditions and simply working issues.

Cutting deck boards is, of course, possible, but it’s not so easy. Some masters of their craft will be able to cut even a figured shape from the decking. But not everyone involved in home construction is the same type of professional. So, in order to successfully saw decks and logs from WPC, you need to purchase special components:

circular saw, electric jigsaw;
saw with small teeth;
hard alloy discs and drills;
standard components such as a hammer, drill, screwdriver, etc.

Most of these tools are available to everyone who likes to decorate their home. In this case, it is necessary to focus on the choice of cutting discs and drills.

This is worth knowing: each sawn fragment of a decking board makes its length three millimeters shorter.

Preparing deck boards for cutting

Before you start cutting, it is necessary for the boards to undergo acclimatization. To do this, you need to leave the boards unpacked outside, and in the same place where the installation will take place.

This will reduce the likelihood that the boards will become deformed after installation. It is important to consider that acclimatization should take place at a temperature of 5 to 25 degrees, for 1-2 days. During this period, moisture, such as rain, should not come into contact with the boards.

Before starting work, the lags that will be used in the supporting structure are cut. If suddenly the logs are made of WPC, then it is usually recommended to drill holes there in advance. You need to drill holes on the joist using a drill.

Do not use a screwdriver for drilling joists. Because in this way the lag can simply be overheated, which will cause it to deteriorate.

The logs need to be secured at a slight slope, just like the decking boards themselves. A slope of 1-2 degrees is necessary to allow rainwater to drain from the stairs.

Sometimes deck boards are mounted to the joists, bypassing the connecting clip. To do this, you need to make holes in the boards. To avoid complicating your task, it is important to do this in advance.

Here's a little trick: it's better to make the diameter of the holes in the decking boards a little smaller than the diameter of the screw. This way you can avoid breaking the tightness of the fastenings. This will also save time during installation.

When attaching deck boards, you don’t need to tighten the fasteners too tightly, but you also don’t need to leave them loose. It is better to twist it with medium force. Because due to rigid fasteners, cracks may occur. A weakened fastener will contribute to the rapid loosening of the structure.

Terrace boards in our TerraDream online store:

Today, wood-polymer composite deck boards are widely used for arranging terraces, verandas, swimming pools and other premises. This material combines the positive properties of wood and plastic. Shredded wood and purified polymer give the material high strength and efficiency. From the outside, decking resembles an ordinary wooden deck board, but its properties are significantly superior to it. At the same time, it can be painted, varnished and other compositions. First of all, you should understand the question of how to attach a plastic decking board.

Before fastening, you should determine a suitable place for laying the decking board. So, for loggias, balconies and other places with little traffic, you can choose medium-density material. This type of decking board is also used when arranging the area near the pool.

Important! Moisture resistance directly depends on the density of the flooring. Density also affects wear resistance. If you install a loose deck board in areas with high traffic, the material may become deformed.

Laying the flooring directly on the ground is not allowed. The deck boards are fastened to installed logs. They will perform a supporting function. If the selected location has uneven terrain, then preference is given to adjustable logs.

To prevent water from accumulating during rain, but rather from draining, when installing the logs, it is necessary to organize a slight slope in one direction. The pitch of laying the lag will depend on the thickness of the product. If it has a thickness of up to 20 mm, then the step between the logs should be 400 mm. With a thickness of 25 mm, the pitch between the logs increases to 600 mm.

Advice! During the installation process, it is necessary to cut the material in order to adjust it to size. It is recommended to treat all cut ends with wax emulsion.

To secure the decking, it is recommended to use stainless steel fasteners and fastening materials. There are two known ways to attach deck boards: hidden and covered. As for the closed one, it is rarely used, although it has a number of positive aspects, in particular, an improved appearance after completion of installation work.

Required materials and tools

Regardless of the chosen fastening method, you should prepare tools and material for installation work. First of all, you should worry about the availability of the following materials/tools:

Support logs.
Intermediate and initial staples.
Galvanized self-tapping screws.
Plugs.
End finishing elements.
Set of drills.
Electric drill.
Screwdriver.
Roulette.
Level.
Pencil.
Hand hacksaw.

This is a basic set of what is needed when fastening larch decking boards. As for cutting decking, you can use a hand saw, but some experts successfully use an electric one. This significantly increases the pace of work. Before mounting the board, it is recommended to pre-make mounting holes. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the material will crack when tightening the screw.

Calculation features

There are a number of requirements and features that are important to consider before starting installation work. The technology requires a gap between the flooring and the wall. At a minimum, the gap should be about 8 mm or more. If it is necessary to join the board lengthwise, then an indentation should also be made between the end parts. There are even certain standards, namely, with a flooring length of up to 400 cm, it is absent, with a length of up to 600 cm, 3 mm, and with a length over 600 cm, 0.45 cm. A gap is also required on the longitudinal side, which is about 2 mm. The peculiarity of the fasteners used allows one or another gap to be formed in advance.

Preparation

Before installation, the used larch decking board must lie in the open air to get used to the local climate. To do this, you need to unpack the packaging and leave it under a canopy for several days. Before you start fastening, you should immediately decide which method you will use - closed or open.

If the choice fell on open installation, then self-tapping screws made of galvanized steel and with an anti-corrosion coating are required. Preliminary markings are made and all holes are pre-drilled. After this, all the screws are screwed to the installed joists.

As for the closed method, all fasteners will be hidden under the flooring. For this purpose, special fasteners are used, also called clips. Preference should be given to metal fasteners with anti-corrosion coating. About 20 clips are usually consumed per 1 m2.

Plus, you need to decide exactly how the board will be laid evenly, diagonally or otherwise.

Advice! You should choose the installation method that will result in the least amount of waste in the form of trimmings.

Frame installation

Having completed all the preparatory and calculation work, the first step is to install the base under the terrace board. The base can be metal/aluminum beams, wooden logs or cement screed, which must be treated with bituminous material.

Advice! The base should be covered with a special material. This will protect the finished coating from the germination of grass and other plants.

Before fixing the decking, you should consider a water drainage system. For this reason, the installation of the logs should be carried out at a slight slope. For one linear meter, the slope should be no more than 1 cm. With all this, there should be no accumulation of moisture not only on the flooring itself, but also under it.

Installation work

Below we will consider the option of attaching decking boards to logs made of wood-polymer composite. The essence of the technology is that the boards are laid perpendicular to the installed joists. Considering that a larger percentage of the composition in the decking board is wood, this material tends to expand and contract. As a result, it is necessary to leave a small gap between the lags in length of at least 10 mm and from the wall or other structures of at least 20 mm.

It is important to ensure that the entire floor covering is well ventilated. To do this, WPC logs are laid on supports made of metal or plastic. Plus, you need to make sure that each end of the wood-polymer board lies on the joist and does not hang down.

Advice! It is recommended to attach deck boards at a temperature of at least 5°C.

The first board should be fastened from a fixed side, for example, from a wall. The first board is secured with self-tapping screws at an angle of 45° to the support joists. The last board will be attached in the same way. Before tightening the screw, be sure to drill a mounting hole of the appropriate diameter. Each subsequent board will be fixed to the support joists using a special galvanized fastener. These clips can also be made of plastic. Their use allows you to create an equal gap along the entire length between the decking boards. For ease of installation, the board has a special groove into which the clip is fixed using a self-tapping screw. You should start attaching the clip from one edge and on each joist. But before that, it is important to make sure that the board is in place.

Advice! If you need to cover a large area, you can use the staggered installation method. In this case, each subsequent board will shift relative to the previous one by a certain distance.

During the installation process, you should not immediately get distracted and adjust each board to the size along the edges of the terrace. Afterwards, all protruding ends can be cut off in one cut with a circular saw. The result will be very beautiful.

Finishing touches

After all the work on fixing the turnkey deck boards has been completed, it is necessary to perform the final touch, which consists of processing all the ends. One way is to use a special decorative strip. To install it in the joist or end part of the board, you need to drill a hole for self-tapping screws to attach the plank. You can also use aluminum corners or special corners made of wood-polymer composite. Each decorative element should be secured in its place using fixed stops.

Common installation mistakes

During installation work, errors are made that affect performance characteristics. For example, in a hurry, people forget to make ventilation gaps between the joists along the entire length and between the walls. This may result in deformation of the laid flooring. Also, screws or self-tapping screws are clamped very tightly. Measures are needed in this matter.

Plus, the water flow is not properly organized. What’s even worse is that the flooring itself and the joists are installed strictly according to level. In this case, rainwater and other moisture will accumulate on the surface. Because of this, the decking board can absorb moisture. Although today there are types of decking boards that do not absorb moisture at all, they are quite expensive.

Violation of these rules can lead to irreparable consequences. Therefore, taking all precautions into account, the following should not be allowed:

Flooding of deck and joist structures with water for more than 4 days.
When cleaning the surface, it is unacceptable to use a metal scraper or spatula. They can damage the top layer of the decking board. It is best to use soft bristled brushes.

Conclusion

So, this article examined the features of how to install a decking board made of wood-polymer composite. Although the technology is not complicated, it requires attention. For this reason, we suggest that you further reinforce the entire theory with the prepared video material in this article.

WPC structures are very different from ordinary wood in terms of strength and resistance to external environmental factors. The wood composite also does not rot and cannot be damaged by pests such as fungi, insects, etc., which makes caring for the material incredibly simple.

Installation of decking boards can be done even without the help of specialists, the main thing is that the necessary tools are available.

Preparation for installation and operating rules

Before proceeding with direct installation, it is recommended to place the wood-polymer composite for two days in the area where the repair will be carried out. This action is necessary so that the WPC is at the same temperature as its future environment. It is highly recommended not to carry out any installation work in winter, at temperatures below zero degrees.

In order for the material to be well ventilated and last many times longer, small recesses should be made between the coating and the base at a level of 2-3 centimeters.

Before installing decking boards in dirty areas where there is sand, grass, or soil, they need to be thoroughly cleaned. The base for the composite is best concrete, and the components are certified.

When installing a composite decking board, there is no special meaning to the sides, however, you can choose which one will be laid on top, smooth or grooved.

Arrangement of logs and surfaces for laying boards

Installation tools:

Logs 40*27 mm
Staples (initial and intermediate)
Self-tapping screws
End strips
Stubs
Corners
Level
Tape measure, pencil
Screwdriver
Drill
Drill

Preparing the base

To maximize the life of a wood-polymer composite, good drainage is essential. The concrete base for laying needs to be at least 10 centimeters thick. For trouble-free precipitation, it is advisable to make a slight slope (1-2 degrees will be enough) parallel to the joists. After the concrete has dried, check to see if water is flowing. Otherwise, the liquid will begin to accumulate and create unnecessary trouble. If the base structure does not need to install logs along the drainage path, then leave small spaces between the logs (2-3 centimeters will be enough). Water will be discharged through it.

Let's watch the video, step-by-step work on laying decking boards:

When installing a wood-polymer composite on a roof, take a closer look at the waterproof layer. Fastener elements should have minimal contact with it. If the base has already been prepared and the drainage path has not been observed, cut channels 2 centimeters deep.

Installation of logs

Using anchor bolts, install the joists on the concrete base. The maximum distance between two logs is 40 centimeters. Maintain an expansion gap between the obstacle (wall, threshold, etc.) so that the material can expand during the warm season.

When installing logs in a diagonal position or at an indirect angle (1 degree of inclination is not taken into account), the distance between the pair must be reduced to 25 millimeters.

Please note: using logs or WPC as a supporting structure is prohibited!

Installation

The installation of decking boards is quite simple and obvious:

The board is placed on the log
The initial clip is placed on the joist using a self-tapping screw.
The WPC is inserted into the groove of the clip.

Each subsequent decking is installed in the same way. If you reach a point where the length of the boards is less than 0.8 meters, it is recommended to ensure the stability of the structure by using at least three support logs. The edges should not extend beyond the joist level by more than 5 centimeters. The distance between the WPC and the obstacle should not be less than 10 millimeters. Otherwise, when temperature changes occur, the material will expand, rest against the obstacle and become deformed.

Watch the video, installation of the board on the joists, detailed instructions:

If you plan to install decking boards for a large terrace, you have already purchased long boards, make sure that the ends of both sides rest on the joists and are well secured with clips. Don't forget about the gap between them.

Completion of installation

After the installation of the larch decking board is completed and all the elements are well fixed, it is worth taking care of the little things that will smooth out all the existing “jambs” and give the structure a more attractive look.

Watch the video, advice from the experts:

The first thing you should do is plugs. Installing end caps will give the structure a more harmonious look and close all the cracks at the edges.

If you find it unnecessary to buy special plugs, you can get by with a cheaper option - end strips. The planks can be easily matched to any color. The strips and plugs are secured using self-tapping screws.

Another option for hiding cracks after installing WPC deck boards is a composite corner. It is very similar in design to a plinth. But do not forget about compensation of gaps when installing them. When using elements of this type, you should leave a little more gap between the barrier and the end of the board.

After installing the plugs, remove shavings, dust and other elements, and wipe the surface of the coating with a slightly damp cloth.

Please note: improper assembly and operation of decking boards greatly reduces their service life. An ordinary board with proper care will last more than 25 years.

In most cases, decking boards are painted with high-quality pigments. Due to the use of lingin, like any natural product, they will slightly lose color in 3-4 months, but will remain the same original and textured. After this time, the color will remain and will no longer succumb to fading over the years.

Find components from one manufacturer

Decking boards made of wood-polymer composite, after installation by a professional, resist bad weather, sun, precipitation, and insects very well. No special care is required for this equipment.

The rough side of the material is not able to drive a rolling pin or anything else into the leg. Wood from the building material is used as flour, and the textures of the wood are created artificially.

Advantages

Persistence. WPC tolerates scratches, chips, household chemicals, stains, precipitation, warm and cold air, water, etc. well.
Strength. A floor made of this material can withstand a weight of one ton per square meter. Such a strong structure was achieved by modifying the composition of the material.
Durability. The minimum guaranteed lifespan is 25 years, taking into account temperature conditions within the range of -50+70 degrees.
Flexibility. During installation, the wood-polymer composite can easily take the desired position. To cover stairs, ledges, corners, etc.
Care. There is no need to paint the material or clean them with special means. They can be easily cleaned with a slightly damp sponge or microfiber.
Simplicity. Easy installation that even a person who has never held a construction tool can handle.
Appearance. A huge palette of colors and textures will satisfy gourmets with a broad design outlook.

And among the huge number of advantages, there is at least a small disadvantage. In this case, the disadvantage is the high cost of the finishing material. If you compare decking and regular wood, the difference in price can be 3-5 times.

Rules of care

The composite board should not be flooded for more than 4 days in a row.

When washing serious stains that cannot be wiped off with a regular floor rag, use cleaning products without bleach. Brushes can only be used with soft bristles. Strictly avoid using spatulas and metal, as there is a chance of damaging the surface and ruining the appearance.

Small irregularities or scratches can be smoothed out with fine-grained sandpaper.

Conclusion

Any person who knows how to hold a tool can handle the installation of decking boards, but it is necessary to maintain clearances and take into account the placement of additional devices. Don't forget to hide the gaps after installation. Cladding the walls of the site is perfect for those who miss nature near them and always want to be in an atmosphere that creates relaxation and tranquility.