Frequently asked questions

Do I have to have gaps between my deck boards?

Gaps between deck boards are essential for the longevity of your deck. They not only let water escape and room for expansion and contraction, but the most important reason is to allow airflow under the deck. Airflow under a deck decreases the humidity which will cause your substructure and boards to rot. On timber decks closer than 300mm to the ground a minimum gap size of 6mm is required. Most composite boards now come with hidden fixings which set a consistent gap.

How do I get that lovely silver look of old timber?

All timber exposed to UV, will develop the silver colour if left unsealed. However, this also reduces the life of the timber. As the timber dries out it will split and splinter along the grain, allowing more moisture into the board which in turn causes rot.

Engineered Bamboo is different to timber in that it is fibrous and doesn't have the same graining issue. As long as the bamboo has been manufactured correctly, it will maintain its structural integrity whilst developing the silver colour.

Can my external deck be raised to be level with my internal floors.

When should I use an aluminium substructure?

Most new decks are constructed using Treated Pine, however as the current trend to ulta-low decks has developed, it has become necessary to develop new materials to protect the deck from insect attack and rot. The closer the deck is to the ground, the less airflow there is. The lower the airflow, the shorter the lifespan when using Timber. Aluminium has become the substructure of choice for low level decks due to its non-rusting properties.

An aluminium substructure also allows for the use of other materials such as tiles and artificial grass to be used as a finish material. It comes in long, lengths that are consistent and don't twist and warp. We recommend any deck with reduced airflow use a material other than timber for the substructure.

Decks

Certainly. As long as water can be channelled away from the house. The biggest challenge is to prevent windswept rain from coming through to the interior.