Which board to choose for the terrace. Terrace board: selection rules. Is it really expensive

Construction on a suburban area is not limited solely to the construction of a residential building. Associated buildings are also being built for recreation, storage and ancillary work, for which appropriate building materials with the necessary characteristics are selected.

Materials used outdoors require solid strength, durability and resistance to environmental influences. Therefore, for the construction of such buildings as terraces, gazebos and open areas, the highest quality material is chosen. And first of all, this applies to the floor covering, which is under greater load in comparison with other elements of the structure.

decking

For the flooring of buildings located in the open air, the reliability of the material is extremely important. Therefore, for the manufacture of the floor, as a rule, boards from solid wood are used. However, more recently, a new building material has appeared that has better characteristics.

This is a WPC terrace board that has all the advantages of a natural material without any of its disadvantages. High performance characteristics are successfully combined with ease of installation and no costs in the process of use. WPC production volumes are growing every year, for example, one of the leaders in the production of WPC in Russia, Smart Deking, produced only 10,000 m2 per year in 2008, and in 2016 already about 60,000 m2.

The production of WPC involves the use of two types of raw materials - wood (mainly chips) and polymer. This combination made it possible to achieve unique strength and durability of the material.

What to choose: decking made of natural wood or WPC?

To understand which is better - wood-polymer composites or solid wood, it is necessary to consider and compare the characteristics of both materials.

The durability of WPC boards is about 40-50 years, while solid wood - about 15-20. But only if the wooden board is properly impregnated with all protective agents. At the same time, the tree requires not only the initial treatment with varnish or paint, but also the periodic renewal of the coating. In this regard, a WPC terrace board is not only more convenient, but also profitable in operation, since it does not require additional care during use.

The main advantages of wood-polymer composite

In addition to durability, WPC has a number of additional advantages that determine its use as a floor covering for buildings located outdoors:

How much does a WPC board cost?

It makes sense to separately mention the cost of the WPC. At first glance, a facade board made of wood-polymer composite seems prohibitively expensive. However, if you consider the fact that a significant part of the cost of additional consumables simply will not be required, in the end it turns out that WPC decking is quite profitable.

In addition, the installation of flooring is so simple that it can be done independently without the involvement of a specialist. The board is laid on almost any substrate, with the exception of waterlogged soil. However, after a high-quality drainage system is carried out, this problem is solved.

Is it really expensive?

WPC board, the price of which is slightly higher in comparison with the array, perfectly compensates for this disadvantage with its resistance to environmental influences. This material does not swell from high humidity, does not fade in the sun and does not dry out from high temperatures.

Estimated cost for wood-polymer composites varies within 300-470 rubles. per linear meter, depending on the manufacturer and brand of the product. Another factor affecting the cost of a board is the type of wood used in its manufacture. The more valuable the wood, the greater the amount that will have to be paid for the material for construction.

Terms of use for WPC boards

Even such unpretentious material to the conditions of use has its limitations in operation:

• WPC terrace board is not used in places with constant high humidity without access to wind and sunlight. Decking must be periodically ventilated. Otherwise, even this building material may become moldy.
• It is absolutely unacceptable to use composite decking while constantly in the water.
• And the last limitation. Do not use the material in rooms where frequent and large temperature changes are possible, for example, in a steam room. This may cause the board to warp.

I must say that although wood-polymer composite decking practically does not fade in the sun, slight discoloration is still possible.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that the rather high cost of a terrace board made of wood-polymer composites will fully pay off later due to the durability of the material. While the solid wood coating will become unusable much earlier. Therefore, we can say with confidence that the future belongs to the WPC.

This is a wood material used in the improvement of the local area (terraces, garden areas, patios, gazebos), decks on ships, piers and piers, parking lots, etc. A terrace board is made from natural wood or from waste from woodworking enterprises (sawdust, chips, wood flour) with the addition of a polymer binder.

Types of decking

In Russia most often terrace board is made of larch. The material of this tree is perfect for use as a decking board. People have known about the properties of this tree for a long time. When wet, larch becomes like a stone. By the way, the city built in Italy on the water (Venice) stands on wooden piles made of Russian larch.

Terrace board can be made from cedar wood or from species of exotic trees- these are sequoia, teak, iroko, paduk, thali, ipe, yarra, azobe, garapia, bilinga (badi), okan (denya), kumaru, merbau, afromosia, massaranduba.

With regard to the conservation of exotic species of such trees, for example, in Brazil (the main supplier of exotic timber), there are a number of measures to prevent excessive deforestation. Forests are certified according to the FSC system and there are owners of these forests. Forestry enterprises are annually inspected for illegal or excessive logging, and if violations are found, the owners are severely punished.

Terrace flooring is a continuation of the house and is maintained in the same style and color. Or harmonious combinations of the color of the house and flooring are selected. The tone of larch wood is quite light. But, what is good, this wood lends itself to tinting. At the moment, there are many shades of tinting to meet consumer needs. The wood of exotic trees can be of different colors and shades: dark brown, red, burgundy, brown and light brown. It is possible to choose the color you are interested in.

The manufacturing technology of heat-treated wood is as follows: the wood is heated to almost 200 degrees Celsius using steam. Steam simultaneously changes the chemical properties of the material. The result is highly environmentally friendly wood, in which there are no harmful chemicals such as varnishes, paints, etc.

Even the ancient Vikings knew how to process wood with the help of singeing with fire. After that, the tree became almost indifferent to the negative effects of the environment.

In our time, the technology has been improved in Finland and Germany, which have developed a technology for the thermal treatment of wood with steam.

Thermal wood, unlike the usual wood, reacts much more evenly to moisture surges, has higher thermal insulation properties, resistance of thermal wood to rotting and mold formation is an order of magnitude higher. After steam treatment, the original texture appears on the surface of the wood. Also, thermowood has a pleasant color and pattern.

In the manufacture of thermal wood, the following trees can be used: pine, larch, oak, ash, beech, hornbeam and others.

This is a man made material., obtained on the basis of resins with various fillers, organic or mineral: fiberglass, sawdust, shavings, wood flour, etc. Organic or mineral fillers are filled with a binding material - it is polyethylene, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride. Cereal starches, waste paper or leather production can be used.

WPC is dyed in production, by adding dyes to the mass, or it can be painted after production with various paints and enamels.

Mostly, terrace board is made corrugated. This profile shape allows you to achieve an anti-slip effect (anti-slip). The board may be smooth, but if some water gets on its surface, you can slip on this flooring. With a corrugated board profile, this is practically impossible. Moisture, when it hits the corrugated surface, is distributed evenly between the ribs. When a person steps on such a board, the shoes are in contact with the ribs of the profile, and not with water.

Dirt, small branches and dry leaves, of course, clog between the ribs. You can clean the deck board from such contaminants with a jet of water under pressure, for example, from a garden hose.

How to distinguish a quality decking board

The production of high-quality wood-polymer composite requires stable secondary raw materials. When using low-quality secondary raw materials, the ingredients are mixed unevenly, which in turn affects the performance of the final product.

A sign of the use of low-quality secondary raw materials are numerous inclusions of multi-colored dots or stains on the cross section of the WPC profile.

If the manufacturer violated the manufacturing technology, then a sign of this may be a wavy appearance of the surface. On the cut of the board, significant “bloating” of the inner surfaces is noticeable.

Places of laying

How is the board selected according to the place of its laying?

Primarily, pay attention to the hardness index of the decking board. If this indicator is not indicated anywhere in text form, ask the sellers.

For example, on a balcony, loggia and in places where the traffic is not high, you can lay a decking board of not very high density. There are still places that do not require high density indicators from the board - these are places near pools, for example. People there usually go barefoot.

But remember the denser the board, the less moisture it absorbs, as well as the abrasion of a denser board is lower. If you put a board with a low density in places of high attendance and patency, "tracks" will be noticeable over time.

For places where people walk in rough shoes, a high-density board is required- these are gazebos, garden paths, a terrace near the house.

If this is a decking board made of solid wood, then boards from Ipe, Kumaru, Massarandub, etc. are suitable for highly passable places.

Laying a deck board takes place in several stages. From the beginning, you need to prepare a solid foundation. To do this, a layer of turf is removed from the ground, a pillow of sand and gravel is covered and rammed. Laying directly on the ground is not recommended, so paving slabs are often used at some anchor points.

Logs are laid on the tile, which are fixed with a dowel and a stainless steel screw with a countersunk head or through perforated tape. The recommended distance between the lags is 40-50 cm when laying longitudinally, and no more than 30 cm when laying diagonally. The logs will serve as a support for the future terrace. Do not forget to leave 20 mm technological gaps from fixed limiters, whether it be curbs, gutters, house walls.

In difficult relief areas with ups and downs, adjustable supports are used.

There is one more nuance when laying - this is a slope of 1-1.15% of the total length in the longitudinal direction of laying the terrace board. The slope is necessary so that the water on the boards does not stagnate and drain.

After the work on preparing the base is completed, we begin to lay the boards. The boards are mounted using special hidden fasteners, similar to brackets.

They are made from stainless steel. Fixed with self-tapping screws. Thanks to such fasteners, the required gap between the boards is 5-7 mm. During operation, the boards can change their dimensions under the influence of the environment. Also, thanks to such gaps, the space under the flooring is ventilated and water is drained. This is the so-called suture method of installation. There is also a seamless method of laying decking, but boards can be laid in this way if there is good through ventilation of the space under the decking.

Decking care

After laying, it will not be superfluous to walk along the boards with protective compounds. It is not uncommon for a vaunted decking that does not require maintenance, etc. faded in the sun, mold and fungus multiplied in the wood fibers that make up the decking. Some WPC boards warped under intense heat. Laminated boards peeled off after 9 months. Therefore, it is recommended, even for decking, to use protective oils and impregnations that will contribute to resistance to fungus and mold.

We do not claim that all decking is of this quality, but nevertheless, there have been cases of damage.

Behind the terrace board made of solid wood, care is also required.. After styling, also apply a protective layer. Approximately once every 5 years, the protective composition needs to be updated. And then, the terrace board will last from 50 to 100 years.

Brands

In terms of popularity among WPC decking buyers, the following brands can be distinguished: Holzdorf (Ukraine), Dumadeck (Belgium), XylTECH® (France), Lignatek (Russia), PREMIER (Russia), ECODECK (Russia), Polywood (Russia), FlooStrong (Russia).

A fairly large number of factories for the production of wood-polymer composite and products from this material have been built in Europe and the USA. In Russia, the production and market of WPC is still in its infancy. So while the main share of consumption falls on imported products. However, according to analysts, Russia has significant reserves of domestic WPC consumption and market growth is expected in the near future.

Pros and cons

Material	pros	Minuses
Wood-polymer composite	- moisture resistance - water resistance - resistance to insects and putrefactive bacteria - a wide choice of decking colors - additional protective treatment is required to a lesser extent	- significant elongation (up to 6 mm per linear meter) of the terrace board in the sun - greater (compared to natural wood) heating in the sun - the price varies depending on the color of the board
natural wood	- moisture resistance - water resistance - resistance to fungus and mold - resistance to insects and putrefactive bacteria (exotic wood) - wood can be tinted, you can choose from a variety of proposed color options - corrugated anti-slip surface (anti-slip) - frost resistance (depends on density, the higher the density, the more frost-resistant the board) - resistance to dirt, it is enough to rinse with water from a hose under pressure - the ability to choose the price category of the terrace board	- possible natural defects underlying its sorting: knots, resin pockets, cracks, initial deviations of geometric dimensions, warping (the higher the type of wood, the less such defects) - changes in geometric dimensions in the transverse direction of the fibers in thickness and width (slight fluctuations) - additional competent protection with antiseptics or paints and varnishes from the negative effects of the external environment is required - it is required to take into account the moisture content of the decking at the time of installation - it is necessary to lay either with gaps for ventilation and drainage of water, or provide ventilation under the boards
heat treated wood	- environmental friendliness (no chemicals are used in the production) - reacts much more evenly to moisture fluctuations (the moisture content of wood is reduced by 40%) - has better thermal insulation properties - resistance of thermal wood to rotting and mold formation - the service life of thermowood is increased by 25 times (compared to untreated wood) - thermal wood is less susceptible to deformation from environmental influences - beautiful appearance with original wood texture, nice color and pattern	- low resistance to ultraviolet radiation - fragility - specific smell - during mechanical action, you need to work in gauze bandages so as not to inhale the resulting dust - to increase the service life, you still need to use protective equipment - relatively high cost

Properly selected material for the construction of the terrace and competent installation allow you to create the perfect cover for a space of any scale and purpose. Wood-polymer composite (WPC) is a modern material for the construction of terraces, verandas, open gazebos, park areas and locations of any scale. WPC decking combines the best characteristics of natural wood and modern polymer:

• tactile-attractive texture and color of the natural massif;
• resistance to moisture, scratches, shock and abrasion;
• ease of care.

Benefits of WPC decking

Looking for long lasting decking? Choose a deck made of wood-polymer composite (WPC). WPC is reliable and practical, will last for many years without requiring special care, painting and antiseptics. WPC board is suitable for any design, as it has a pleasant texture of natural wood and a rich color palette.

Doesn't slip

Complies with environmental regulations

durable

Easy care

Does not need impregnation

Doesn't rot, doesn't mold

Not damaged by insects

fire resistant

Moisture resistant

Withstands weight up to 2000 kg/m2

Does not fade

splinter ruled out

Before choosing a WPC decking board, we recommend that you find out what criteria should be followed when choosing. The company's specialists, together with experts from the Research Center "DPK" (research center for the study of polymer composite compositions), have prepared several tips for buyers.

Choosing the right material

Which deck board to choose? The main criterion is the design purpose. If you buy a board for a home veranda, this is one thing, if for a terrace in a park it is a different situation, since in both cases we have completely different operational loads. Based on this, several types of surfaces are determined with different technical indicators and configuration features.

• Home Standard designed for areas with a small load: home terraces, private piers and piers, etc.) The board from this segment is easy to mount.
• Professional Standard- a segment of composites designed for medium / moderate loads in residential and public locations. Strength characteristics are higher than those of the Home Standard segment. Decking is made on the basis of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and PP, and is used in the construction of private facilities, decking in restaurants.

Which flooring system is suitable: "seamless" or "seamless"?

• Seamless laying can only be used in places with full through ventilation under the flooring, otherwise there is a risk of deformation, mold, fungus, and a decrease in the life of the structure.
• The suture system is used in any ventilation conditions. By the way, you can mount the WPC with gaps (seams) to create a perfect imitation of natural wood flooring, which is laid in this way.

How to determine how high-quality raw materials a manufacturer uses?

The surface of high-quality WPC terrace boards has a smooth appearance, the geometry of the product is uniform and symmetrical.

Strong deformation of the profile indicates a violation of the technological process in the manufacture of goods and reduces strength, therefore:

• on the end sections, you need to check the absence of voids, “bloating” of the inner surface;
• the profile should not have wavy bends;
• in places of breaks and cuts there should be no extraneous inclusions (they are usually gray, greenish or dirty blue), streaks - this indicates impurities of low-quality secondary raw materials.

With a direct inspection of the goods, you can convince how high-quality board you are offered.

Recommendations for the installation and operation of WPC decking

Alexey Popov Technical Director of GC "Terradek"

1. Observe the clearances specified by the manufacturer for the length and width of the board and flooring. Wherein:
   - the gap across the width of the board between adjacent boards must be at least 4 mm;
   - the gap along the length of the board is calculated as 3 mm for each linear meter of the board (for example, if the board is 4 meters, then the gap at the end joint is calculated as 3 x 3 mm = 9 mm)
2. Ensure adequate ventilation of the underfloor space.
3. Provide a sufficient slope of the terrace base and decking (at least 1%) for drainage from the surface of the deck and from the space under the deck.
4. When mounting the supporting frame on a concrete base ("concrete screed"), ensure free water flow under the logs in all directions.
5. In places of drain funnels and other drainage under the flooring, organize inspection hatches for timely cleaning of the space under the floor.
6. Use only fasteners recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Do not fix the deck board to the base using the method of through fastening with a self-tapping screw.
8. Use the material in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and in accordance with the conditions of use: for places with high operating loads (eg: restaurant terrace), use only materials for commercial use.
9. Do not use WPC log as a supporting structure and on open terraces.
10. Do not lay deck boards longer than 3 meters on a terrace longer than 6 meters.
11. In the places where the boards are joined along the length, use its own terminal for each end of the board and rest the board on its own log.
12. When mounting the bearing base of the terrace on point supports (adjustable plastic supports of the Support type, screw piles, columnar foundation, etc.), mount the bearing base by tying into the frame in accordance with the "Installation Instructions".
13. Entrust the construction of your terrace only to professional builders with a good reference list.

More detailed installation instructions can be found here.

Date: 2014-10-02 00:00:15
The name "terraced" indicates that we are talking about coatings intended for open buildings. Terrace boards cover the floors of rooms and other buildings that are not protected from external natural influences, including gazebos, slopes to water bodies, etc.

Unlike conventional boards used for indoor flooring, deck boards need to be more resistant. Not any wood can withstand rain and frost, rough soles and no less rough devices used for care.

In our country, terrace boards are sold, as a rule, from resistant tree species:

Sequoias;

Larches.

Other types of wood can also be used, but only after pre-treatment, which should be repeated periodically.

Under the influence of external factors, the floor covering installed outside the premises is subject to deformation. In order to compensate for this phenomenon, longitudinal grooves several millimeters wide are cut on the terrace boards from the inside.

Often, shallow grooves are also cut from the outside of the board. But in this case, they serve as a protector, reducing the likelihood of injury when moving on a wet, slippery surface.

The price of such a terrace board made of natural wood mainly depends on the country of origin, the type of wood and the quality of its processing. It can be unequivocally argued that a terrace board made of natural wood is not a very cheap pleasure, because. high-quality wood has always been in price, and if we add to this its additional processing and constant care during operation, then not everyone can afford the amounts.

Wood-polymer composite

Wood-polymer composite (or WPC) has appeared relatively recently. In fact, it is a product of mixing plastic and wood waste. WPC combines the advantages of natural and artificial materials. Terrace boards made of WPC have undeniable advantages over wooden ones both in terms of technical parameters and price.

Judge for yourself, wood-polymer composite:

1. Does not crack, does not deform when the environmental parameters change.

2. Not edible for insects.

3. Does not require additional processing during the entire service life.

4. It has good mechanical strength, which allows you to install massive pieces of furniture on the floor.

5. Does not change the original color under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, precipitation, heat and frost.

6. Non-flammable.

7. Easily machinable.

The appearance of WPC was preceded by an attempt to replace wooden terrace boards with plastic ones. However, plastic was quickly abandoned. He heated up in the sun to such an extent that he burned his legs. In addition, the plastic lost its original properties and became brittle.

Wood-polymer composite, unlike plastic, is not able to cause inconvenience when walking on it with bare feet. He "does not suffer from fragility."

Perhaps the most important advantage of the WPC is the cost.

Giving preference to terrace boards made of wood-polymer composite, you:

Save money;

Get high-quality and wear-resistant flooring;

You get the opportunity to equip the flooring without the involvement of unauthorized persons;

Repeatedly hear admiring reviews of relatives and friends visiting your home about a successful purchase;

You will be happy to walk on the solid corrugated surface of the terrace flooring.

Where to buy a deck board?

You can buy a WPC terrace board both in building materials stores and at the lowest prices directly on the manufacturer’s website: zavoddpk.com. Most young buyers prefer the second option. Without leaving your home, you can choose the desired size, color, texture, discuss the details of the transaction with an online consultant and resolve other issues.

Older people, as before, prefer to inspect the product before purchasing it and make sure of its quality. By the way, on the same site zavodpk.com you can order samples of the products you like for free or check with the manager for the addresses of partner stores closest to you.

We hope that the information received will allow you to make an unequivocal right choice.