How to install a Composite PREMIUM deck ?
Our Composite PREMIUM products are delivered with installation principles. We advise you to carefully read our instructions and scrupulously follow the installation procedures indicated.
We reserve the right to inspect any deck in case of dispute or before honoring the warranty of our product. Any deck not conforming to our installation principles will have its warranty voided, and cannot engage our responsibility for any reason whatsoever. The 20-year warranty against termite and fungal attacks applies to boards and joists, invoice date being proof, and is limited to supplying replacement products.
How to maintain a Composite PREMIUM® decking?
BOARD MAINTENANCE for Composite PREMIUM® decking
Composite PREMIUM® boards require no special protection (no treatment products). Periodic cleaning is necessary and helps maintain the boards in good general condition.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE RULES
When?
It is essential to wash your deck once a year, ideally in spring.
How?
Use a scrub brush – always work in the longitudinal direction of the boards and wash with water and diluted mild detergent (dish soap) – Clean the spacing between deck boards using a metal blade to maintain good water drainage.
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW “GROOVED” AND “TEXTURED” DECKING BOARDS
Composite wood decking boards from the Natural range undergo color evolution during the first months following their installation (see box below). During this period, yellow stains and moisture halos may appear on the boards. These stains are perfectly normal and will disappear with weather exposure provided they are well exposed to UV and rain. Once the transition period has passed, the color of the boards will be close to the original color and durable.
Although these stains and moisture halos disappear naturally, it is possible, if desired, to eliminate them using a water jet and a scrub brush working in the longitudinal direction of the boards.
THE ORIGIN OF THIS TRANSITION PHASE
The color evolution of the boards comes from a natural reaction of the wood under the action of UV and weather. UV induces yellowing of the boards and rain naturally cleans this yellowing. Uniform UV exposure allows this phenomenon to last 4 to 5 weeks for decking boards. Note that this transition phase may last longer if the boards are installed in sheltered or semi-protected areas (vegetation, covered areas…), which we therefore strongly advise against. If deck installation is done a few days apart, it is normal to observe a color difference between the first boards installed and the last. This difference will naturally fade after homogeneous UV exposure of the products.
REMOVING SPECIFIC STAINS AND SCRATCHES
| Type of defect | Duration of phenomenon | Cause | Action(s) to take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease stains. | These stains may fade over time, even disappear. | Mainly food-related: BBQ, oil, ice cream, etc. | To completely eliminate a grease stain, it is advisable to act quickly after the stain appears: – Sprinkle Fuller’s earth on the stain and leave for ~12h. Repeat if necessary. – If the stain persists, use a gasoline-based composite wood stain remover and apply Fuller’s earth on top for ~12h. This treatment may slightly lighten the board but the color will become uniform again over time. |
| Scratches. | Permanent. | Gravel, sharp objects, etc. | Since Composite Premium board material is homogeneous throughout, it is possible to sand the scratched surface to eliminate the scratch. The sanded area will be slightly lighter after sanding, but this color difference will fade after UV/weather exposure. NOTE: this method is suitable for all our products except textured boards (sanding removes the surface pattern), Carbon boards (reinforced color surface layer compared to the core) and co-extruded boards (special surface coating not suitable for sanding). |
Good to know | TECHNICAL INFO
Co-extruded and non-brushed boards cannot be sanded in case of marks or scratches. Consequently, they must be stored and handled with great care.
WHAT TO ABSOLUTELY AVOID
– Do not use Composite PREMIUM® deck products indoors or in sheltered areas: For the color transition to occur, we recommend not using our products indoors or in areas closed to UV and weather. Good weather exposure is necessary for easier cleaning. For this type of semi-sheltered projects, it is strongly recommended to choose our co-extruded range.
– Do not use pressure washers.
– Do not use solvents.
– Do not apply oil stain, paint or protection/reviver/renovator products to the board surfaces.