Laying your composite deck effectively
With an appreciable visual aesthetic, the composite terrace seduces more and more people. If the technicians who master the installation, do not miss, force is to recognize that the price of such work is often out of reach. In order not to put one’s wallet to the test, it is better to do it yourself. If you are among the people who want to make their own terrace, then you are welcome. In the lines that follow, we will explain how to effectively lay your terrace composite blade. If you are in-experienced than you should hire a plumber.
Prerequisites
It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing composite boards. Thermal expansion is always a concern to consider when dealing with plastics. Composite blades are less stable than wood, so they tend to grow and shrink as a function of temperature. It is recommended not to install the delivered blades immediately, but to wait at least one day for the material to adjust to the weather. It is also not recommended to install during the winter. Woodworking saws can be used to work the blades. A fine tooth saw is the most appropriate tool for cutting blades.
Establishment of the support structure
Make sure the base is flat and stable. Blades must not be placed directly on the floor but must be attached to joists or suitable support. For a patio deck, we recommend an ordinary concrete screed. This base must be at least 10 cm thick and a slight slope to allow runoff of water seeping under the structure. The joists should be fixed to the base using screws that will be inserted into the joists.
They should be installed to create evenly spaced parallel rows, which will follow the slope of the concrete base, to allow water runoff. The spacing of the joist lines will depend on the angle of the slope, but it should never exceed 40 cm. A gap of at least 8 mm should be left between the ends of the joists and the walls. This gap will also be respected if you put two blades end to end.
Fixing the blades on the joists
The panels of a composite deck terrace are easily attached to the joists of the supporting substructure. It is strongly recommended to use stainless steel screws and T-shaped plastic clips. The work should start outside the area to be dressed. It will be necessary to place the first blade and to insert a screw every time it meets a joist. Countersunk screws of appropriate length should be used. It will then adjust the T-clips in the groove on the side and screw. Install the next blade by sliding it onto the clips used to secure the first blade.
Then secure it by adjusting another set of clips. Follow a similar process to install the other blades. As an alternative to using T-Clips, the panels can also be screwed directly into the support joists using platform screws. Unlike wood, composite flooring requires only one screw in the center of each blade.
Composite Blade Deck Finishes
Once the entire surface is covered with blades, all you have to do is hide the ends with longitudinal skirting boards and corner masks. Our baseboards can be screwed directly into the joists with wood screws. An interval of at least 8 mm must be maintained between the edge posts, the ends and the sides of the blades to allow adjustment during temperature changes. Angle trim can be applied after the contour tenons for a touch of refinement in the finish. To do this, we can screw them directly into the platform. We recommend that you do not completely close your deck to allow free flow of air and drainage.
As we see the laying of a deck in composite boards is accessible even to amateur handymen. You do not need a building professional to offer you the terrace of your dreams. These devices are provided in kit and their installation is a real breeze.
