Terrace board is a modern material used for arranging the floor both indoors and outdoors. There are only two of its main varieties: natural and composite. The first type is made of wood of different species. The most popular is the larch board. According to its performance characteristics, it differs little from oak, but it costs a little cheaper. The dimensions of this type of decking are usually standard.
Advantages of a natural terrace board
In the production of this type of material from larch, an array of certain dimensions, quality and weight is used. Such a board differs from the usual one only in that its front surface has a corrugated texture. In the manufacturing process, this material is treated with antiseptic agents. The advantages of it can be attributed primarily to the fact that it is completely not damaged during the cleaning of snow with a shovel in the winter. In summer, the terrace larch board does not slip at all. Also, the advantages of this material include increased strength and resistance to adverse environmental factors: temperature extremes, humidity, etc.
In addition, the aesthetic appearance is considered the advantage of a larch terrace board . Wood of this grade has a very beautiful texture. In addition, a terrace board of this type is laid in a special way - with small gaps, which gives the floor a special charm. The dimensions of a larch terrace board are about the same as for a regular floorboard. It can be used not only on verandas and in arbors. Very often, they trim the paths adjacent to the house, pool, summer kitchen, etc.
Standard dimensions
Most often, a standard terrace board is used for arranging floors and paths. Its dimensions are standard. Width is 140 mm, length - 4 m, thickness - 27-28 mm. However, if desired, you can order or find on sale material and other dimensions. Sometimes for some reason it is more convenient for the owners of suburban areas to use lamellas, the length of which is, for example, 2 meters, 3, 5 or 5.5.
Also very popular options are a cheaper larch terrace board with a thickness of 20 mm and more expensive by 35-45 mm. Sometimes, when finishing the floor of the verandas and arbors, wide material is also used for 165 and 190 mm or, conversely, narrow - for 90 or 115 cm.
What determines the cost
The sizes of an atypical terrace board, therefore, may be different. In direct proportion to the size is the cost of this material. They sell it not with cubic meters, like an ordinary board, but with square or linear meters. So, a standard 140 mm lamella with a length of 4 m can cost from 800 to 1600 rubles. per 1 m 2 depending on the quality of the wood.
When calculating the material necessary for arranging the floor on the veranda or in the gazebo, it should be borne in mind that such boards are laid with a gap of about 3-7 mm.
Installation methods
A terrace board is mounted, the dimensions of which are quite convenient for assembly, just like an ordinary floorboard on pre-laid logs. The distance between the latter should be about 40-70 cm (depending on the expected load). Logs are raised at least 10 cm above the ground. This space is necessary for rainwater runoff and ventilation. If this gap is not left, the lags will quickly rot.
Actually fixing the board itself can be done in two ways: open or secret. In the first case, stainless steel screws are used. With this fixation technique, the assembled floor looks riveted, which is very unusual and original.
With the secret method of attachment, special metal clips with spikes are used. In this case, the boards are screwed with screws from the end. The gaps between the elements are left so that water does not stagnate on the terrace or porch. Before assembling the floor, as well as after it, the board is covered with special oil-based products for wood. Every few years of operation, this operation should be repeated.
Board made of polymer composites
The material made of larch is durable and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, this board is absolutely safe in terms of ecology. However, it costs a lot. Meanwhile, there is a similar material on the market, even more durable and moisture resistant, but less expensive. It is a terrace board made of polymer composites. It yields to larch material mainly only in terms of environmental safety.
Modern terrace polymer board: dimensions
This type of material is made from sawdust and polymers. The mass is squeezed out of a special installation in the form of a corrugated hollow plate of ideal geometry. The colors of the composite material can be very different.
The standard dimensions of a polymer deck board are 140x4000 mm. That is, they are exactly the same as the material from larch. The only thing is that its thickness is usually a little less (20-23 mm).
Mounting Features
There is a terrace board made of wood-polymer composite, the dimensions of which are standard, in the region of 300-400 rubles per linear meter. The required amount is calculated taking into account gaps, the width of which can be 4-7 mm. Mount it in the same way as it is made of natural material - that is, on special secret clips. The difference is that at the end of the assembly in this case, no additional oil treatment or any other means is required. Caring for polymer material is also much easier than for a terrace board made of larch or some other natural material.
Thus, you now know what the standard sizes of a larch and composite decking are. Both of these materials are mounted elementarily. And, although the price of a terrace board is quite high, it’s worth buying it for your veranda or pergola. After all, it will last much longer than the usual sexual or edged. And in any case, such a finish looks much more solid.