A project of installing composite decking is an investment for your house because it will increase the value of your property, improve the quality of the space you have outside, and continue to look good for many years to come. Composite decking, in contrast to timber and other materials used for decking, requires relatively little maintenance, will not become grey with age, and will not splinter, fracture, or warp.
Poor installation is one aspect that can limit the lifespan of even the greatest composite deck, so it is important to avoid this. You need to make sure that your decking is correctly built on a stable and well-made support structure using the appropriate equipment and fasteners if you want to have a deck that is of good quality and will last for a long time.
The construction of an outdoor deck is a common do-it-yourself job that even an inexperienced homeowner with some basic carpentry skills should be able to complete successfully. The installation of a deck made of composite materials is not identical to the installation of a deck made of lumber and there are several significant distinctions between the two.
Advantages of Composite Decking
The traditional use of wood for decking has a number of drawbacks that are significantly mitigated by the use of composite decking. Wood flour, plastic, and several chemicals that provide stability go into the production of composite decking. This combination provides the owner of the deck with a masterpiece that requires little to no care and will endure several decades longer than a wood deck would over its lifetime. The color of composite decking will not change over time as a result of sun damage, and it does not require painting, sealing, or staining. In addition to being slip- and splinter-proof, it is incredibly simple to clean with only some soap and water over the course of many years.
Additional benefits of composite decking include the fact that it does not absorb or give off moisture, which is a benefit that, on its own, will help prevent insects from infesting your deck. You will not have to worry about the material cracking, warping, or separating like you would if you had a wood deck because you do not have to worry about the absorption of moisture.
There is no reason for you to be concerned about the installation of a composite deck, although the possibility exists. The installation technique for composite decking is exactly the same as the process that would be used for installing a deck made of wood, which is one of the most significant advantages of using composite decking. In the same way that you would assemble a wood deck using tools like screws, nails, saws, drills, and hammers, you would assemble a deck out of composite material using the same tools.
Do’s:
- Utilize the proper tools: Because of the presence of plastic in their composition, composite boards are denser and more brittle than timber boards. As a result, blades that are specifically designed to cut through timber can quickly get dull. Cutting blades made of composite materials are purpose-built to maintain their edge when working through decking boards made of composite material.
- Maintain a sufficient ground clearance: Having an adequate ground clearance under your deck enables enough airflow, which in turn helps to keep your deck at a comfortable temperature. When it comes to some products, ensuring that the warranty rules are followed also requires having the appropriate amount of ground clearance.
- Construct a reliable support structure: The support structure for your decking should be able to carry the weight of your deck in a comfortable manner and should be buried into the ground in the appropriate manner. Because your support structure will most likely be made of timber, it is essential that the support stumps be properly treated to ward off termites and prevent moisture damage.
- Always use the appropriate fasteners: Certain composite decking boards already come packaged with specifically developed installation solutions. It is essential to ensure that you use these fixes in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Be sure to pre-drill and countersink the holes in the top fixing system before inserting the screws. If it is a top-fixing system. If you fail to counter-sink your holes in composite boards, which are not fibrous like timber, the boards can mushroom up over the screws, which increases the probability that the board will split or shatter.
If you keep these considerations in mind, you should be able to significantly increase the likelihood of reaching a conclusion that you will be pleased with.
Don’ts:
- Utilize a nail gun since composite boards need to have holes pre-drilled in them. The use of a nail gun will significantly enhance the likelihood that the boards may split. In point of fact, nails should never be employed in any construction project. Over time, the nails that hold composite boards together can start to become loose due to the natural expansion and contraction of the boards. Always be sure to use screws of a good grade to prevent problems like these from occurring.
- Different times of the day call for different cuts on the cutting boards: It is recommended that you cut all of the boards at the same time of the day to guarantee that the lengths of the boards are consistent. This is due to the fact that boards will expand and contract depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment.
- Construct your structure straight onto the ground or the grass: As was noted before, having appropriate ground clearance is vital for a few different reasons. You should also avoid building straight onto the soil or grass because this will not produce a sturdy ground framework to support the decking.
If you keep these dos and don’ts in mind, you may reduce the amount of time and effort you spend maintaining and repairing your deck, which will allow you to get the most use out of it for many years to come.
