The terrace is an open building, which can stand next to the house or on the territory of the personal plot. Since this structure is exposed to the adverse effects of various climatic conditions, it is necessary to use special material for its decoration.
One of the most popular in this area is a WPC deck board. Installation, operating instructions, as well as material features must be found out before starting work. In this case, it will be possible to arrange the terrace floor on your own. WPC boards can be selected in high quality.
general characteristics
A terrace board made of wood-polymer composite (WPC) is called decking. This is one of the most popular options for decorating the terrace. The material is made on the basis of wood chips, flour and thermoplastic polymer. Natural material makes up about 80% of the total mass. 20% are synthetic components.
Fine wood is ground and then thoroughly dried. Special synthetic components improve the performance of the presented finish, contribute to high-quality mixing of chips with polymer.
Compared to natural wood, the presented material has several advantages. It is strong, durable, not afraid of various weather conditions. However, the price of a WPC decking remains consistently high. The cost of 1 m² decking is 2-4 thousand rubles. Wood can be several times cheaper. However, this does not prevent WPC boards from gaining popularity every year.
Performance characteristics
The price of WPC decking is quite high. However, the material does not lose its popularity. This is due to a number of operational qualities of such boards. They are flexible, which allows you to give the finish an appropriate shape.
The material is characterized by extraordinary durability and strength. It has been in operation for several decades. Such a floor can withstand heavy weight. It is operated in the temperature range from +70 to -50º. Moreover, the surface is not subject to mechanical stress. Chips, scratches do not appear on it.
Caring for such a finish is simple. The material is not afraid of the effects of household chemicals. The surface of the board repels dirt. This provides her beautiful appearance for a long time. The material presented also repels moisture. Therefore, it is used to decorate not only terraces, but also baths, pools, etc. Even unprepared people can mount the presented material. The appearance of the finish will be invariably stylish, elegant.
Preparation for installation
Laying of a deck board from WPC is carried out according to the established technology. Knowing the step-by-step instructions, even an unprofessional master will cope with such a task. First, you need to carry out preparatory work. To do this, you need to make a solid foundation. It should be even, smooth.
The basis is made of cement screed, wooden beams. They are covered with a layer of waterproofing. The soil is covered with a special material that will impede the development of plants under the foundation. The design slope should be 1.5-2%.
The bars of the base must be mounted parallel to the descent of water from the surface of the material. If this is not done at the preparatory stage, subsequently it will be necessary to create a drainage system. The space under the lags must be ventilated. Between the boards you need to make gaps. This will ensure good air circulation. Dampness, fungus, destruction of the base will NOT appear.
Frame
The polymer deck board from WPC is assembled on a frame. To do this, you need to make lags. To do this, use support bars or boards. Logs should be firmly fixed on a concrete base. The distance between each structural element should be about 35 cm. For sections in which the load will be maximum, take a step of 25 cm. At an angle of inclination of the profile of 45 °, the distance between the logs is 20 cm.
It should be noted that the tree is able to expand and narrow under various environmental conditions. If the terrace is long, it is necessary to leave a gap between the joints of the lag. The gap is 5-10 mm.
The distance from the structural elements of the frame to the walls of the building, borders, fence should not be less than 20 mm. This will ensure the stability of the system in all weather, climatic conditions. At the junction of the WPC boards, you need to install wider lags.
Choosing a mounting method
There are two options for installing a terrace board of the type presented. In the first case, small gaps are made between all structural elements. In the second case, a seamless terrace board is used. In this case, there will still be gaps between the decking. Only they will be practically invisible.
The seams between the boards are made specifically to provide high-quality drainage. Water will not stagnate on the surface of the material. With thermal fluctuations in ambient air, the boards can expand and contract somewhat. Seams compensate for this movement.
When mounting boards with a seam, a stainless steel kleimer or special plastic clips are used. The seam in this case is 4-5 mm. If the terrace is built in the open, this option will be preferable. If there is a roof and walls at the extension, you can make a seamless connection of boards. The distance between them will be 1-2 mm.
Installation Start
Seamless decking is most often used indoors. Therefore, for an open terrace, it is necessary to create gaps between the decking elements. Boards are mounted perpendicular to the frame. At the same time, the street should not be colder + 5º.
Installation begins from the wall of the house (or other fixed structure). The profile in this case can be diagonal or deck. In the first version, the boards are located relative to each other at an angle of 45º. In the second, they defend parallel to each other. If the terrace is large, each subsequent row is shifted to half the length of the previous board.
The first board must be screwed to the supporting element of the frame. For this, starting clips are used. They are fixed in the center using self-tapping screws. Holes for fasteners must be made in advance. The ends of the boards must be attached to the supporting frame.
Installation of subsequent boards
After the installation of the first profile, the entire finish of the floor, steps from the WPC deck board is assembled . They are installed using special plastic clips or clamps made of galvanized steel or stainless steel. Installation is carried out in places where logs are suitable for the boards. At the same time, the installation is done butt. The gap between the structural elements should be about 8 mm.
The clips must be screwed in specially prepared recesses. For this, screws are used. This will allow you to make the same clearance in accordance with the length of the decking. The last board is cut before installation to the required size.
The material is fixed at an angle of 45º. After the above steps are completed, all protruding ends must be cut off. To do this, use an ordinary grinder.
Expert Advice
Installation instructions for decking from WPC should be carried out exactly in accordance with existing building codes. In order for the final result to be good, it is necessary to take into account a few more nuances. Experts recommend not neglecting the established standards regarding the distance between all structural elements. Otherwise, the system will deform, the life of the finish will be significantly reduced.
Boards are stacked in one direction. Otherwise, the finish will look unaesthetic. When installing the frame, it is better to use lags made of composite material. In this case, the finish will last longer. The foundation is best made from concrete screed.
Fasteners must be tightened with medium force. If the screws are installed too weakly or, conversely, strongly, the coating is deformed. The decorative appearance of the finish is violated.
Terms of Use
Clearly following the instructions for installing a decking from WPC, as well as fulfilling all the requirements for the operation of such a finish, you can significantly extend the life of the decking. There are a number of features that must be considered by each owner of a terrace made of this material.
WPC boards should not be flooded for more than 4 days. Otherwise, they are deformed. The surface of the boards can be washed with ordinary non-abrasive detergents.
Having considered the features of such a material as a WPC deck board, installation instructions , you can independently arrange the floor on the terrace or other similar object.