Wood-polymer decking - features and use of the material. Do-it-yourself polymer composite terrace board: selection, installation, care Polymer chipboard

Terrace board made of wood-polymer composite is intended for outdoor use in any climatic conditions, with the most intense loads. Composite decking is designed for flooring in gazebos, terraces, piers and piers, in the gallery and in summer cafes. WPC decking is used for covering ceilings and walls, areas near the pool, as well as for arranging entrance groups. Thanks to the balanced composition and high-quality components, polymer board for terraces lasts up to 50 years!

Production

Decking made of wood-polymer composite is produced by extrusion, pressing or casting: in the process, the thermoplastic polymer is mixed with wood flour with dye and stabilizing eco-additives. Products based on polymer thermoplastics are an improved WPC group: thermoplastic wood-polymer composite (WPC).

The picture shows the ideal composition of WPC decking.

Polymer

In addition to PVC, cheaper polypropylene or polyethylene is also used as a thermoplastic polymer, however, it is polyvinyl chloride that is the best component:

• Environmentally friendly material: PVC is used in medicine, including for the transport of blood and organs.
• Density exceeds PP and PE: the flooring is tougher, stronger and has increased wear resistance.
• Fire safety: polyvinyl chloride does not support combustion, does not emit toxic toxins when heated.
• Color fastness: PVC practically does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, in contrast to PP and PE.

Wood flour

Shredded wood of various species, mainly conifers, is used. To reduce the cost of the final product, waste is also used: seed cake or rice husks. If the content of wood flour exceeds 60%, then the board becomes brittle due to the lack of polymer compounds. In addition, such decking is not moisture resistant: wood particles absorb moisture, the coating swells and deforms.

Other additives

To improve performance, a small amount of modifiers is added to the composition.

The color and texture of the decking is determined by the addition of a certain dye to the composition.

Dyes and modifiers in aggregate should not exceed 15%.

Differences between WPC and natural wood

We offer a table - comparative characteristics decking made of WPC and wooden deck boards:

Characteristic	Composite material	Natural wood (no heat treatment)
Texture	Uniform color or wood imitation	Natural wood species
Protection against insects and pests
Burnout under ultraviolet light	Insignificantly	Color changes over time
Moisture resistance		Deformed
Fire hazard	Non-flammable material	Combustible material
Update	Does not need	Regular processing required
Exposure to salt water, alkalis, acids
Environmental Safety	Does not contain volatile toxins	100% natural material
Slip, splinters
Mechanical strength
Frost resistance	Yes, down to -70 ° C
Residual moisture, no more

Wood-polymer board for terraces in all respects surpasses other types of flooring for outdoor use, while the cost is identical and even cheaper. However, it is important to consider that all characteristics described in the article are valid only for the original WPC decking. Due to the popularity of polymer decking boards, there are many offers on the market, and most of them are low-quality materials at a low price. Demand quality certificates and buy floor coverings in trusted stores!

Application of polymer decking

We invite you to the Polov showrooms: see samples, ask related questions about operation and installation to managers, order accurate delivery and installation at a convenient time for you!

With the onset of spring and warmth, many owners of private houses begin to think about how to transform their terrace, or simply make it. Despite the importance of the foundation, the terrace covering plays an important role, because it is it that takes the whole blow external environment and mechanical damage. Therefore, the choice of material for creating a terrace floor must be approached very carefully. Decking (wood flooring) for an open terrace should have a lot of advantages. One great option is composite decking.

What is this material? Why is it so good as a decking? What are its features, characteristics and pros? How to install such products? You will learn all this from this article.

Manufacturing of wood-polymer composite

First, let's look at the production of the material. Decking made of wood-polymer composite is a finishing material that is made by mixing different types of wood and monomers (substances that form polymers). Due to this mixing, a unique material is obtained that has improved properties and is ideal for a terrace. It has both the positive qualities of wood and polymers. WPC or thermo-wood is an excellent alternative to expensive decking materials.

Material production is automated. In special factories, the process consists of the following steps:

1. Wood delivery and crushing.
2. The process of drying lumber (wood chips).
3. Selection of components and correct ratio. The most successful combination of wood and polymer is called 1 to 1.
4. Compression of raw materials and formation of lamellas for the terrace.

After that, quality decking products are obtained, which have many positive qualities... All thanks to the composition and production technology. And what exactly is included in the composition of products, except for wood and polymers? Here is the list of components:

• sawdust - from 40 to 70%;
• binding components such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride - from 30 to 60%. Sometimes the binder can be grain starch and waste paper;
• chem. additives, including UV stabilizer, pigments and some fillers - about 5%.

The quality of the finished product at the output depends on the percentage of all components. The system is simple: if there is more organic filler (sawdust), then the decking will have a better appearance; it is rather difficult to distinguish lamellas from natural products. But at the same time, the composite board will not boast of durability and moisture resistance. And if there are more polymers in the composition, then the opposite is true.

Advantages and characteristics of WPC

Now let's look at why the material has won so many hearts. Recently, it is gaining more and more popularity, even though it is not 100% natural wood. It's all about the benefits of a composite board. What are they? Composite board has the following advantages:

Note! The material, like all wooden products, has a minus - a high degree of flammability. Therefore, in the event of a fire, the decking will flare up rather quickly.

As you can see, such composite boards have a lot of advantages. Therefore, if you buy such material for decking, then be sure of its quality and reliability. And what about the characteristics of wood and polymer products? They are as follows:

• let's start with the dimensions of the products: they are produced with a thickness of 2.2-2.8 cm, a width of 13.5-14.5 cm and a length of 1.5 to 6 m;
• the density of the composite board is from 1 to 1.3 g / cm 3;
• flammability degree - G4 (burns strongly);
• water absorption - no more than 5%;
• weight of 1 m of composite board - from 1.6 to 3 kg;
• heat resistance - from +80 to -50 ° С;
• tensile strength - 20 MPa;
• withstands a maximum load of 800 kg / m 2;
• when pressed, it is deformed by 0.3-1 mm.

But, the question arises: what to look for when buying a composite board?

How to choose a decking composite board

For those who come to the store for a composite board, it is important to understand that the choice depends on several factors. This includes the composition of the material, its structure, size, appearance and the firm that is engaged in production. Let's start with the composition.

If the ratio of materials in it is 70 to 30 (sawdust and polymers), then it will be difficult to distinguish a composite board from a natural one. However, strength, usability and moisture resistance deteriorate. The service life of the material is no more than 7 years. A 50 to 50 board is optimal solutionin which natural beauty, strength, moisture resistance and durability are at their best. And at 40 to 60, the board is colder and resembles plastic.

Now about the structure. Boards can be solid or with voids. High quality and durable - one-piece composite boards. They are used in places with possible heavy loads, such as a garage, parking lot or technical area. Hollow WPC is also suitable for a terrace. It is cheaper and will last no less.

But the appearance of the board is a purely personal decision. The color and structure should be chosen to match the style of the entire building. It is important that the terrace fits into the overall landscape and does not disturb it. Inspect the board to make sure it is evenly painted and free from defects. There should be no blotches or color pigments on the material.

And finally, we want to draw your attention to manufacturers. It is important to choose the company that has proven itself over the years and has many positive reviews. Here is a list of verified brands: Volga-Decking, Mirradex, Thermory, Westwood-Polymer, Legro, Woozen and Bruggan. How is the composite board installed? Let's find out.

Installation of a composite board

It is noteworthy, but despite the fact that the composition and characteristics of the products differ from the usual terrace board, its installation is no different. The fastening method can be open or closed. You can see this in the photo.

For a comfortable stay in the fresh air, you can attach a terrace to the house, where furniture will conveniently be placed, and a light roof will protect you from the weather. And if earlier exclusively natural solid board was used for the terrace flooring, then with the development of technologies, materials on a natural basis, connected with stable thermoplastic polymer composites, became available to the developer. For the device of terraces, manufacturers offer materials with balanced performance properties and a variety of appearance, and the prices for a decking made of wood-polymer composite make this unique material available to a wide range of consumers.

What is wood-polymer board?

Composite wood-polymer board (also called WPC), used in construction as a decking, means in English terminology a wooden deck flooring, terrace or platform, is a product made from a mixture of wood flour of various types of wood and various thermoplastic polymers with additives with interesting properties:

• Practically non-slip, even when completely covered with water;
• Resistant to mold and mildew;
• Not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet rays;
• Possesses high strength and ability to withstand loads up to 550 kg per sq.m .;
• Low abrasion and color of the WPC material in the mass, which guarantees the preservation of its appearance for a long time;
• Simplicity mechanical processing and floating mount, which facilitates the installation process;
• The absence of delamination of the material ensures safe operation, protecting against possible injuries;

The composition of the terrace wood-polymer board includes several components that affect its physical and chemical characteristics and, of course, the cost of the finished product.

Wood flour of coniferous and hardwood wood, the amount of which determines the strength and linear stability, the ability to resist moisture and putrefactive bacteria, the appearance of the coating and its durability. Some manufacturers add quite a significant amount of sunflower husks, buckwheat or rice to reduce the cost of production. The antiseptic properties of such WPC are sharply reduced, which leads to a decrease in the service life.

The amount of filler included in the wood-polymer composite varies from 30 to 80%. A larger number shifts the characteristics to the side natural wood with all its disadvantages, and less, while improving water resistance, leads to a deterioration in the appearance and a decrease in the anti-slip properties of the surface. The optimal ratio of polymer and filler makes the decking beautiful, similar to a natural board and very durable, providing a service life of 10-15 years or more.

As a polymer binder, manufacturers use various thermoplastic materials - PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene or polystyrene, which affects the cost and performance of decking. To improve consumer properties, up to 5% of special additives can be introduced into the WPC composition, which change the technological properties of the material.

What does the price depend on?

The price of a decking made of a wood-polymer composite depends on the components used, the appearance of the material, the thickness of the finished product and the amount of raw materials required to produce a unit of product.

Component cost

As a filler, wood flour is introduced into the WPC, which consists of specially processed fibers of various wood species. To make a high-quality decking, flour is used with grinding into fractions from 50 to 450 microns. Larger particles, as well as the use of untreated sawdust and grain waste to reduce the cost of the final product, leads to a deterioration in the quality and loss of appearance of the wood-polymer composite.

When using the more common and cheaper pine or spruce, the price of decking is somewhat reduced compared to models in which more durable larch, oak or beech are used. The difference in cost can be up to 15%, which naturally reduces the cost of the final product without significantly reducing the service life.

When extruding the material during the manufacture of a decking from a wood-polymer composite, fibers of any wood species under the influence high pressure acquire a high density without the presence of pores and voids, affecting the absorption of moisture and the durability of the finished product.

The average price of one ton of wood flour suitable for the manufacture of a composite is $ 180-200, and how much it will be required depends on the type of polymer used, which has a more significant impact on the costs of WPC production.

For example, the price of polyethylene, currently the main polymer used in the production of WPC, is in the range of $ 500-600 per ton, and polypropylene, which exceeds it in terms of strength, is about 25% more expensive, which naturally affects the cost of the finished product. If we add to this difference the cost of melting more refractory polypropylene, then the difference in the cost of decking can reach 30%. One may ask why much cheaper polyvinyl chloride is used less and less, the strength and wear resistance of which practically does not differ from polypropylene, and the price in the form of raw materials is $ 300-350 per ton. It's all about environmental requirements. When heated, PVC releases a significant amount of chlorine harmful to living organisms.

The amount of plastic introduced as a binder into the decking affects the appearance, strength characteristics and the price of the decking board received by the consumer. According to the experts of the German company Advanced Extruder Technologies AG, the optimal flour / polymer ratio for PVC is 60/40%, polyethylene - 70/30% and polypropylene - 80/20%.

How do size and appearance affect the price?

As you know, any product in the store is "greeted by clothes." Decking is no exception, price different models which can vary significantly depending on the structure and appearance.

The price for traditional models 148 mm wide and 25 mm thick with a corrugated surface and colors that imitate various types of wood is about $ 5 per running meter for a model of domestic manufacturers and can reach $ 10-15 for similar products from famous foreign manufacturers.

A higher price distinguishes models of decking made of wood-polymer composite with imitation of the texture of natural wood due to a more complex production technology. An inexpensive WPC decking with an embossed surface is offered for $ 6-7 per rm. meter, and the price of exclusive models, which are almost impossible to distinguish from natural wood of valuable species, can reach $ 20-25 for the same amount of material.

The width of the boards offered to buyers for the device of a terrace platform is almost the same and has little effect on the price, but the increased thickness and the absence of voids can increase the price of similar models by about 10-25%.

A little about the manufacturers

Wood-polymer composite decking is produced by more than 30 companies located all over the world. Our market is dominated by WPC products offered by European countries, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Chinese and domestic manufacturers.

• Composite decking offered by the German company WERZALIT, which does not require additional fasteners, is the standard among similar coatings, and you can buy it by paying $ 65-90 per sq. m.
• Other European firms are not lagging behind the leader. The German company Deck Mayer, the Belgian Twinson and the Italian ICMA San Giorgio produce high-quality decking using the most modern equipment.
• High-quality extruded decking at affordable prices is produced by some Chinese companies working in close cooperation with a European manufacturer. Fengye Holding Group, a joint Austrian-Chinese company, produces quality products under the Sequoia brand.

It is known that the ideal floor for a home is made of wood. Such a coating is natural, completely safe for both people and pets, in addition, it is beautiful and aesthetic. If you want your home to have a unique atmosphere of comfort and warmth - feel free to make a choice in favor of wooden floors. They harmonize perfectly with wooden windows, doors made of this material also perfectly fit into the overall design concept.

Natural wood floors are usually grouped into four broad categories:

• Massive board;
• Parquet board;
• Block parquet;
• Terrace board.

The first two options are - classic flooring, a tribute to tradition. They are laid in living quarters. Moreover, solid wood is often used in commercial buildings - offices, shops, shopping centers.

Alas, it is not always possible to lay parquet and solid wood on the floor. The bottom line is that this material is very susceptible to temperature and humidity changes.

For example, you should definitely not lay parquet in a bath or bathroom. On open terraces, in saunas, such floors will not last long, their quality will quickly deteriorate - at first the coating will deform, then it will start to rot from direct and intense contact with water.

In this case, the most correct solution is a decking wood-polymer board or decking.

Let's talk more about decking:

1. When compared with other types of floors, terrace board is represented by a limited number of species;
2. A parquet board, for example, is made from different types wood;
3. For the production of decking, only 7-9 breeds are used.

How decking differs from a simple wooden floor

• First of all, it is worth noting moisture resistance. This property of a terrace board is often absolute;
• The raw material for decking is mainly exotic wood;
• Such material is not at all afraid of any negative influences from the outside;
• The wood-polymer decking board is not afraid of fungi and mold, insects are not afraid of the material;
• It does not fade, does not darken over time (even if it is under intense sunlight for a very long time) - a very valuable item for a board with which open areas were sheathed;
• Terrace board with its structure is somewhat reminiscent of an array;
• It is durable, has a large thickness;
• Grooves are specially applied to its upper working surface - so that the slip resistance is maximum;
• This is necessarily done when a terrace wood-polymer board is installed in saunas, baths, on terraces: wherever the material is in contact with large volumes of water.

Unlike a solid board, a terrace board from the bottom side is not equipped with special compensators. They lay this material on logs, and fasten it on self-tapping screws.

About materials

The species used for the production of decking have the following qualities:

• Resistance to decay
• Hardness
• Are not afraid of damage by various fungi, insects

That is, exotic woods are used.

If we list the most popular “ exotic", you can note:

1. Brazilian teak (kumaru)
2. Burmese teak;
3. Puinkado;
4. Balau;
5. Banker.

They are all very beautiful in color - any exotic wood has rich shades, has an expressive, beautiful texture.

Due to the fact that any exotic wood is very expensive, many people often buy larch decking. This deck is unique in its kind, made from traditional wood species.

Since larch is widespread in the Russian Federation in sufficient quantities, it is much more affordable at a price when compared with exotic decking.

Larch known for:

• Once upon a time, ships were made of such wood;
• That is, the waterproof qualities of this material are not in doubt;
• Larch can be tinted in various shades (which cannot be said about exotic species);
• Thanks to all this, everyone can choose exactly such a floor for their room that will perfectly match colors interior.

What about wood-polymer decking board? A polymer composite material is made from a mixture of plastic and wood. Thanks to this, the products have decent qualities that are ideal for any decking.

You can safely lay this board in commercial premises - where it is of natural origin flooring nobody cares.

Decking made of natural wood is an ideal solution for cladding floors in damp rooms or somewhere in an open space.

Terrace board from solid thermowood

It is no secret that material such as decking is regularly exposed to different influences from the environment.

It can be:

• People;
• Ultraviolet;
• Moisture.

Therefore, a competent choice of breed for a terrace is only part of the task, correct installation is also an important component of the whole process. It should be remembered that thermowood is a living tree, it is not plastic (which cannot be said about a wood-polymer decking board), therefore, decking from an array of thermowood is subject to slight expansion.

But, if we compare with larch or thermos, or some exotic species, the expansion of the thermo-ash is predictable and not at all significant.

You should know the following about tremwood:

1. After being completely wet, the material releases moisture;
2. Then it returns to its initial humidity value;
3. It takes only 6 hours for this;
4. Cannot dry up;
5. This is due to the fact that conditions cannot arise in the environment that would have an impact on the moisture content of the thermowood (which is very low);
6. On average, humidity is 6%;
7. For exotic wood or larch, this figure reaches 12%.

When mounting a deck made of such material, leave gaps between the boards:

• If the width is 10 cm - the size of the gap: 2-3 mm;
• If 12-13cm: 3-4mm;
• At 15-16 cm: 6-6 mm;
• 18-20 cm: 8-9 mm.

Advantages of the thermal ash and the use of oils

This material does not crack, does not rot. The service life of the board is approximately three decades. In addition, your terrace, finished with this wood, will always look neat and tidy. Especially when the material is placed on a flat surface - you can get it if you use it.

The board is not subject to significant deformation. All you need to do is to treat the terrace with special oils every couple of years, especially in order to slightly refresh the tone. The board itself is distinguished by a dark shade (retained to its full thickness), if you do a shallow sanding, the boards will look like they are completely new.

If any clear oils are used, even with UV filters, the thermal tree will fade. However, this can be said in general about any wood.

Only tinted oils should be used to cover the front surface - this is necessary to protect the board from possible burnout.

Laying decking

You already have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat a wood-polymer decking board (and a thermal tree) is. Now is the time to talk about how these elements generally fit.

How to lay a deck board, the video below clearly demonstrates the whole process. We advise you to watch the lesson even for those people who have rich construction experience behind them - for sure, you will learn something new and useful for yourself.

Everyone knows that decking is a very popular material in our time; it is used both for flooring and outdoors. Today you can buy a decking board without any problems - for this it is enough to visit any large or specialized hardware store. The material is made from different woods - the choice is rich here. What should you know about the styling procedure?

Primarily, decking has two types of profile:

1. Fluted;
2. With a smooth surface.

The material will serve you for decades if you take good care of it, but correct installation is also important - this should be remembered.

• Terrace wood-polymer board needs air circulation, so one should not forget about the gaps during work;
• When the lumber is installed, it deforms slightly - so the gaps can be closed;
• This situation should be corrected so that there are no problems in the future.

To make it less complex, consider recommendations for laying decking:

• If it is assumed that your flooring will be more than six meters, it is recommended to choose a terrace board, the length of which is 300 cm. The gap between the boards in this case is left at 9 mm. You should not worry - part of the gap will necessarily close within a year due to material deformations.
• If your flooring is over 12 meters, it should be divided into sections to make your job easier.
• In order to prevent deformation of the entire structure or some individual zones, it is not recommended to use elements that are less than 200 cm long when laying the terrace board.
• In the case when you install a terrace board between two structures that are stationary (for example, it can be walls), be sure to leave a gap between the materials and the stationary structure itself during installation. A gap of 15 mm is enough.
• If the wood-plastic decking board is installed at an angle (let it be 45 degrees), you must also leave a gap of 9 mm. The fact is that the boards, due to which this angle is formed, must be fixed - mounting clips will help with this. In addition, it must be remembered: such a structure should be mounted on two lags.

What else can you say about the installation of decking? If these works are done correctly, the result will delight you for at least ten years - or even more. Thus, if you are going to equip the covering with a decking board, be sure to heed our recommendations - it will definitely not be superfluous.

Methods for mounting decking

To carry out the installation of a terrace board, there is different ways:

• Closed;
• Open.

The most common is the latter. It is done as follows: a wood-polymer composite (a decking board, which contains a plastic binder) or a conventional solid wood deck is simply drilled to the logs, this procedure is done from the front side. To ensure fastening, use special self-tapping screws (which are coated with an anti-corrosion coating).

Holes must be made in the board before the mounting procedure. This measure is taken so that the material does not crack when screwing in the screws. The coating, which was made by an open method, is usually called " riveted”, Since the screw heads recessed into the solid remain visible in any case.

Concealed installation of a terrace board:

This type of mounting is gaining popularity lately. In this case, they do this:

1. The terrace board is connected with metal plates;
2. These plates are already coated with an anti-corrosion agent;
3. Further, with self-tapping screws, the boards are simply screwed to wooden logs.

The essence of this method is that the fastener connections themselves are hidden from prying eyes - the heads of the screws are not visible!

Like any wood, decking needs maintenance. To keep the flooring always looking perfect, its surface is periodically washed. For this, the usual detergents.

Remember that you should not wash your decking with sand; it is also better to refuse those detergents that can easily damage the top layer of the material.

How to choose a WPC decking board correctly

If you decide to equip a terrace, veranda or area around the house, it's time to think about how to achieve the optimal combination of aesthetics, practicality, and high performance.

All the stated conditions are met by a decking wood-polymer board. In general, decking is traditionally made from natural wood (most often from larch). But new technologies are making their own adjustments - wood-polymer composite is spontaneously gaining popularity.

What do we know about wood-polymer composite (decking with plastic binder)?

• WPC decking with its appearance is absolutely not inferior to wooden material;
• Has the same woody, pleasant scent;
• At the same time, the performance characteristics are higher;
• The service life of WPC decking is also longer;
• Some modern manufacturers are so confident in their product that they give a lifetime warranty for WPC decking!

Nowadays on the market of finishing and building materials decking is presented in a wide range. The most important thing is not to make a mistake when choosing.

We bring to your attention a video: wood-polymer decking and its features. Be sure to read the video, perhaps while watching you you will find answers to many questions.

What to look for when buying?

Appearance, colors

The material can be either monochromatic or have a pattern, which, in turn, naturally imitates the structure of a tree. A simple example is the products of the Woozen brand: it is practically indistinguishable from a board made of natural solid wood both by touch and externally.

1. Imitation wood fibers so high quality that the hand feels even a slight roughness, which is characteristic of natural curved boards.
2. These fibers do not abrade even when the flooring is used very intensively.
3. The color is resistant, does not fade in the sun.
4. The substances that are responsible for the paint are not applied over the boards - they are added to the wood-polymer composition even at the stage of forming the products.

Wood-polymer composite (decking, where plastic was used as a binder) contains components that prevent decay, moisture absorption, fungal infection, warping - they must be added.

Hollow or solid

It is known that decking is:

• With voids inside
• Corpulent

In the latter case, decking will be heavier, but more durable. Such material is more expensive. If you are going to install the floor on a closed veranda, you can safely use a hollow deck board.

If you want to build outdoor flooring, it is better to opt for a full-bodied decking - you will definitely not go wrong. In such a situation, it is really better to overpay.

Composite and its composition

As part of the WPC, from which the terrace board is made, wood flour, as well as plastic (that is, polymer), must be contained.

The optimal ratio of ingredients is 50% flour, 50% polymer binder.

If the wood is more than 50%, the performance characteristics of the wood-polymer decking board may be lower, in addition, in this case, the material will be in to a greater extent susceptible to insect damage. The service life will also decrease.

Warranty period

Many manufacturers give a fairly long warranty period for their products: 10, 20 and more years. It is assumed that during this time the material will not rot or begin to deform. Cracks also will not appear, the color will remain the same.

The longer the warranty period for the WPC is given by the manufacturer, the more confident he is in the quality of his products. That is, it is a really reliable indicator of the quality of the material.

A popular technique for arranging a veranda, terrace, porch, garden paths or a platform near the pool - laying lamellas made of wood-polymer composite. Wood imitation flooring is visually appealing, adds coziness to the area, and landscape design individuality and style. An important advantage of finishing is the ability self installation terrace boards. To implement the conceived project, it is necessary to choose the right decking and follow a simple installation technology.

Terrace board: production technology and composition of polymer decking

"Polywood" - modern finishing material, in the manufacture of which is used different breeds wood, pigments, polymer additives and fillers that improve the quality characteristics of decking. The so-called "thermo-wood" has become a worthy alternative to natural wood sawn timber.

The decking board production process is fully automated and consists of the following main stages:

1. Wood supply and crushing.
2. Drying of wood chips.
3. Selection of components and dosage. The most successful is the ratio of wood and polymers - 1: 1.
4. Pressing material and forming terrace lamellas.

The decking includes the following components:

1. Organic filler (wood, sawdust) - 40-70%.
2. Binding materials (polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride) - 30-60%. Very rarely, grain starch, waste from paper processing, etc. are added as a binder.
3. Chemical additives (UV stabilizers, pigments, fillers) - about 5%.

The percentage of components determines the quality characteristics of the finished product. The more organic content, the better the decking looks - it is difficult to distinguish the coating from natural wood. However, the moisture resistance and durability of the material deteriorate.

Technical and operational characteristics of the polymer composite

WPC has excellent performance characteristics:

• aesthetic appearance and the possibility of using the material when arranging various structures;
• environmental friendliness - there are no formaldehyde resins and lead in the composition;
• the finishing surface does not slip;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• high content decking organic matter exudes a woody smell and has good tactile qualities;
• the material is easy to maintain - it does not need varnishing, painting;
• due to the presence of polymers, the composite does not rot and withstands high humidity;
• resistance to temperature fluctuations and corrosion;
• ease of handling, laying and dismantling a terrace board with your own hands;
• the operating period of the decking is more than 30 years.

Averaged specifications wood-polymer composite:

• dimensions of lamellas: thickness - 2.2-2.8 cm, width - 13.5-14.5 cm, length - 1.5-6.0 m;
• water absorption - up to 5%;
• density - 1-1.3 g / cc;
• heat resistance - from -50 ° С to + 80 ° С;
• indentation deformation - 0.3-1 mm;
• tensile strength - 20MPa;
• flammability class - G4 (highly flammable material);
• weight 1 running meter products - about 1.6-3 kg.

Selection criteria for decking

A choice should be made in favor of one or another WPC by comparing the main criteria: material composition, product structure, dimensions, appearance and manufacturer's company.

Material composition... The wood / resin ratio affects the appearance and durability of the board:

• 70/30 - decking is difficult to distinguish from natural wood. But a large proportion of "flour" from wood reduces the strength and practicality of the coating. Water resistance deteriorates and the surface wears out over time. The service life is no more than 7 years.
• 50/50 is the optimal ratio, which preserves the natural decorative effect of the tree and the functionality of the polymer filler.
• 40/60 - the material becomes "colder", giving the impression of ordinary plastic.

Before buying, it is important to clarify which polymer was used to create the decking:

1. Polypropylene or polyethylene. Materials with these components belong to a single class. Disadvantages of WPC: low wear resistance and strength, flammability and a rather slippery surface (even in a dry state). In addition, sun exposure decreases the bursting resistance dramatically, and the coating can be damaged when walking in heels. Plus - the cheapness of the product.
2. Polyvinyl chloride. PVC-based board has a low flammability class, resistance to abrasion and UV rays. The surface lined with such a decking does not slip, therefore the material is recommended for the design of piers, pools and saunas.

Product structure... Distinguish between solid boards and with voids. Solid WPCs are more durable and high quality. The material is recommended to be used for flooring outside the aisles of the room, where shock loads are possible (falling of heavy objects - stones, metal objects). For example, in technical areas, in garages or parking lots.

For laying the floor on a closed veranda, a hollow board is suitable. For coatings with a medium load, it is better to choose a type of hollow WPC with cylindrical voids.

Important! To reduce slipping when arranging an area by the pool, porch or path from a terrace board with your own hands, you need to choose models with a textured anti-slip surface "anti-slip".

Appearance. The coloring of the decking is selected taking into account the design of the existing elements and the general style of the structure. Finished flooring must blend in harmoniously with the landscape adjoining territory, garden and artificial reservoir design. It is necessary to inspect the "polywood" and make sure that the board is painted evenly - the surface should not contain color pigments and various inclusions.

Manufacturer company... A positive reputation and good feedback consumers were won by composites of foreign and domestic brands: Legro, Mirradex, Bruggan, Relazzo Classic, Thermory, Grinder, Woozen, Ecodek, Volga-Decking, Thermo Wood and Westwood-Polymer.

Review of popular decking manufacturers

Leader in the plastics industry Rehau produces lamellas Relazzo classic... The company's products are manufactured using a special corporation technology from wood fibers, polypropylene, mineral and biological additives. Decking Rehau is used in all climatic zones.

Hungarian KDP Legro has a double-sided, indelible surface. Material composition: 50% - wood, 45% - polypropylene, 5% - adapters. The board is covered with a protective layer and is recommended for places with high traffic.

Woozen - terrace board of the South Korean company LG. During the production, the embossing technology is used, which allows to achieve an exact repetition of the wood.

Volga-Decking (Russia) presents on the market a solid and hollow composite board. The product is 65% wood, 30% polymers and 5% additives. The cost of the material is less than foreign analogues.

Westwood polymer (Russia) sells WPC decking under the Terrapol brand. Advantages of decking: affordable price, a wide range of shades and excellent quality.

Methods for mounting decking

Fastening the decking is done in one of the ways: open or closed.

Open method requires the creation of holes along the length of the lamellas. Self-tapping screws treated with an anti-corrosion coating are suitable for fixing, which will prevent rust. To prevent the composite material from cracking when screwing in the self-tapping screws, the board is first drilled to the support beams. The screw heads are recessed into the board and covered with plugs. The cover, laid out in an open way, is called “riveted”.

Council. It is necessary to maintain a gap of about 3-5 mm between the decking lamellas, since the WPC expands when heated.

Private method implies the use of special brackets. Concealed installation is best done on a flat concrete base. The surface should have a slight slope so that moisture does not accumulate under the logs. Advantages of the method: visual appeal of the coating and maintaining an even gap between the lamellas.

DIY decking board mounting technology

Required materials and tools

Before laying the decking board with your own hands, you need to draw up a sketch of the site for facing with decking. The drawing should display the length and width of the site, the direction of the boards (diagonal, straight, transverse). When calculating the amount of material, it is important to provide a margin of about 10%.

To install a decking board with your own hands you will need:

• boards;
• logs 40 * 27 mm;
• initial and intermediate brackets;
• strips for finishing the ends;
• corners;
• stubs;
• self-tapping screws 6 * 70 mm.

From the tools you need to prepare:

• saw or jigsaw;
• pencil, tape measure, square, building level;
• electric drill;
• screwdriver;
• rubberized hammer.

Foundation preparation

The decking is laid on a flat and solid base. For example, wooden beams, cement screed, slab, concrete beams or hard surface covered with artificial canvas.

The following requirements are imposed on the rough base:

• the prepared surface should have a slope of about 2 °;
• in the absence of an inclined water flow, it is necessary to equip a drainage system;
• the height of the concrete screed must be at least 10 cm.

Important! Installation work carried out at an air temperature of more than 2 °. Before installation, the purchased boards must be laid out on a flat substrate and left to "adapt" for one day.

When arranging a terrace on the ground, the base preparation technology includes the following stages:

1. Mark out the site - put pegs around the perimeter of the site and pull the string. You can mark the boundaries with sand.
2. Check the levelness of the section and level it. Tamp the soil.
3. Cover the prepared surface with rubble with a layer of about 8 cm.
4. Pour sand 5 cm over the rubble.
5. Apply a reinforcing mesh over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe site.

Installation lag

Support beams can be made of wood-polymer composite, wooden beams or metal profiles... The thickness of the logs should be at least 4 cm. Hardwood logs are suitable for creating a frame. When operating the terrace in the open air, the support beams must be treated with an antiseptic.

Terrace board: DIY laying. Lag installation scheme.

The distance between the joists depends on the direction of laying and the expected loads:

• with parallel placement - 40-50 cm;
• diagonal installation at an angle of 45 ° - 25-30 cm, 30 ° - up to 20 cm;
• if a high load is assumed, then the distance is reduced to 15-20 cm, with an average - 30 cm, and with a low - up to 50 cm.

It is necessary to take into account the properties of the decking to narrow and expand. On the terrace at the junction of the lag, a gap of 10 mm should remain. The distance from boards to fences, walls and curbs is 20 mm.

"Sheathing" with decking and finishing

Decking board laying procedure:

1. Calculate the location of the lags, so that at each end of the WPC there is a support beam.
2. The first lamella is fixed from the edge of the platform perpendicular to the lags. The ends of the decking are fixed to the supporting frame.
3. Place the bracket under the board and screw it to the support beam.
4. Insert the adjacent decking lamella into the clip and fix it with a screw to the lag.
5. Carry out the flooring of the entire terrace in the same way and trim the edges of the boards.
6. Frame the end sides with a WPC corner.

When finishing a large area, the installation is carried out "at a run" - each next row moves by ½ the length of the previous lamella.

Laying a deck board with your own hands: video

Features of assembling steps from a terrace board with your own hands

Recently, when arranging a porch, a terrace composite board has been increasingly used. For decoration, in addition to the standard set of decking, you will need:

• edge profile - for decorating the end of the steps;
• special clips for fixing the WPC to the structure frame;
• end strips when using hollow boards.

Arrangement of a porch from a decking board with your own hands is performed on a concrete base, steel or wooden frame. When erecting a frame structure, the lamellas are attached directly to the frame, and when "sheathing" a concrete base, a lag will be required.

Installation procedure on concrete steps:

1. Logs are mounted across the steps - parallel to the descent from the stairs. The step of placing the supports is 40 cm.
2. The layout begins with the supporting frame from above while maintaining a gap between the lamellas - 2 cm.
3. The first board is fixed to the frame with a starter clip. Subsequent elements are interconnected with connecting clips.
4. The riser is designed with an L-shaped corner.
5. At the end of the installation of all boards, close the joints with a decorative strip.

Arrangement of steps with a terrace board with your own hands: video

Maintenance of structures made of wood-polymer composite

Polywood is not whimsical in service. The lamellas are cleaned with a soft-bristled sponge or brush along the board. To remove stains, use detergents without bleaching agents. In winter, a crowbar or metal shovel should not be used to remove snow and ice.

Oil stains, cigarette marks, scratches and minor bumps can be sanded with sandpaper.

Scope of decking: a selection of photos