Composite boards are a recently popular alternative to the materials from which terrace floors are created.. Gradually plastic board begins to displace wood, as it is more resistant to moisture. The advantage of boards made of composite materials is also the relative ease of their installation..
Composite is a material, which is a mixture of wood flour and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This combination allows you to give the panels the texture and appearance of exotic woods, and at the same time makes them durable and resistant to mold and mildew. Composite deck boards do not require any insulation, and their installation is much easier, than regular boards. Together with beams and steel fasteners, composite boards create complete decking systems, which can be installed independently. Here's a quick guide on how to do it, how to do it step by step.
What do we need?
- hammer,
- Waterpas,
- drill,
- Screwdriver,
- flat head dowels,
- jigsaw/hand saw/circular saw for PVC or chipboard,
- stainless steel screws.
Step I – Joists – placement and fastening
First you need to place the logs on the concrete screed. The distance between them should be 35-50 cm. Then we make holes in the joists, to attach them to the base using dowels. When it's done, we must apply the appropriate amount of decking around the posts or along the edge - where the boards join. If some of the joists lie across the direction of water flow, drainage slits should be made in them until 1 cm in diameter. We must remember, what needs to be left as well 1 see the gaps between the beams and the wall. Remember, that at the end you need to set the logs according to the level.
Step II - Attaching the Connectors
To begin laying the board correctly, you need to screw the landing strip clamp to the first board in the space provided for it.. Then use it to secure the board to the joists. Depending on the type of system, which we buy, The installation method using special clips included in the kit may differ slightly. Most boards have special slots, into which the couplings are inserted. In this way, the boards are connected by a system of invisible mounting fasteners that are screwed to the joists.. The clips are designed this way, so that a seam of width is formed between the boards 1 cm.
Step III – Laying the boards
Using fasteners we lay the panels on our terrace, keeping in mind the distance between them, and also between them and the wall. If the plastic board, which ends the edge of the terrace, too wide, it needs to be cut lengthwise, keeping an eye on it, to leave the edges, thanks to which the board will be held on fasteners. If the panels extend beyond the edges of the terrace, we have to finish laying them out first, and only then determine the line, along which to equalize them.
Step V - Installation of trims
Since the cross-section of boards made of composite materials is not very attractive visually and is not protected from the penetration of dust and water into them, we need to install special strips on the edges (skirting boards). After we installed additional logs on the edges of our terrace, skirting boards are attached to them. The top edge of the profile should be at the same level, like the boards, and under it, there must be a gap, ensuring free flow of water. Now you just need to screw the protective strip to the joists and our terrace is ready! If you have any questions or want to see with your own eyes how to install PVC deck boards, watch the video for this article.
