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Discover the material of the future

Fitting and installation of WPC decking
Terafest Montaz
What does the installation process involve?

Of course, the correct installation of composite decking is of great importance. That is why it is advisable to choose an installation company whose staff have been trained in the specific decking system. However, this does not mean that a qualified professional could not install the decking themselves, using the installation instructions. At our factory, we can cut the material to the required length, so you do not have to pay for unnecessary offcuts.

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What to look out for when installing WPC decking
Preparing the substrate

The following are the recommended types of substrate: a properly levelled concrete slab, a compacted gravel and sand base, preferably with concrete supports (such as kerbs), a suitably selected waterproofing system (please consult your waterproofing supplier), and metal or wooden support structures. 

Ensure that the subfloor allows for water drainage. Joists and floorboards made of composite wood must not remain in constant contact with water. The substrate must be sufficiently stable to prevent it from settling over time. To ensure ventilation, the air gap between the underside of the board and the substrate must be at least 30 mm along the entire length. When using a 25 mm thick aluminium joist (AL – joist 25), ensure water drainage and ventilation of the decking surface by supporting the joist, e.g. with 3 mm thick levelling pads. 

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What to look out for when installing WPC decking
Before starting the actual installation

Composite panels should be stored on a flat, properly supported surface (to prevent them from bending, for example) and laid face down (so that they are not exposed to direct sunlight). Rain does not affect this material; however, if you plan to install the panels at a later date, it is recommended that you cover them with a waterproof tarpaulin. 

When moving the boards, please bear in mind their length and the fact that they are quite heavy. Please check that the boards and battens supplied are all the same colour.

For larger and more complex decking projects, you should draw up a layout plan showing the positioning and length of the boards and joists before starting the installation. Each section of decking board (even short ones) must be supported by at least three joists.

What to look out for when installing WPC decking

During installation

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Please take care not to stain or scratch the decking boards of your completed terrace by leaving tools, building materials, etc., lying around. This will save you time when cleaning later on. When marking out where to cut, please use a pencil or marker, which can be easily removed from the surface afterwards.

If there is a significant time gap between the installation of individual decking boards, you should be aware that slight variations in colour may appear between them; however, these will even out as the decking matures. 

     Terafest® joists are laid loosely on the subfloor, with the grooved side facing upwards and the smooth side facing downwards. They do not require anchoring or embedding in concrete. The maximum distance (gap) between joists (A), Fig. 2, is given in Table 1. When joining several decking profiles with different joist spacing, always select the lower value. Never exceed the specified values; otherwise, claims will not be considered. 

An expansion gap of at least 10 mm must be left between two adjacent joists, and an expansion and ventilation gap (C) of at least 10 mm must be left between a joist and a wall or other rigid partition (see Fig. 2 and Table 2). To compensate for any differences in height, levelling shims or levelling blocks should be used under the joists. 

The unsupported length of a Terafest® 50×50 joist must not exceed 300 mm. The length of unsupported overhangs must not exceed 50 mm. The length of the unsupported section of the Terafest® 50×30 lowered joist must not exceed 150 mm. The length of unsupported overhangs must not exceed 30 mm.  

Where possible, the joists should only be cut to the required length just before laying the final row of boards.   

Composite decking boards do not usually require a slope, but a slight slope of 1 cm per metre improves the self-cleaning effect, speeds up drying and reduces the formation of water stains.

One of the undisputed advantages of our composite is its flexibility. Unlike WPC materials containing PVC, for example, Terafest® panels can be bent using heat. This proves to be a huge advantage, for example, when creating terraces around circular or arched swimming pools.

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What to look out for when installing WPC decking
Once the installation is complete

Once the boards have been laid, we recommend rinsing the entire surface with plenty of water and/or removing stubborn dirt with a brush. Always brush in the direction of the boards’ grain.

The overall colour of the decking boards is also affected by the direction in which they are laid. The boards are sanded during production to expose and enhance the wood grain. If the boards are not laid in the same direction, boards of the same colour may appear darker or lighter. This effect fades over time. To aid orientation, the laying direction is marked with an embossed arrow on the underside of the boards.