Composite Decking Concealed Fixing Clip System from Futurewood

Futurewood offers the CleverDeck composite wood decking as an environmentally friendly, cost effective and low maintenance alternative to timber.

How Futurewood's Clipping System is Changing the Game

Decking designs for composite decking are only as good as the actual implementation. Futurewood's decking system has been tried, measured, tested and executed with successful results. This success is repeatable among builders who have gained an indepth knowledge of the product and its proper usage either with the aid of Fixing Guidelines, consulting with a Futurewood representative or through experience.

One could argue that the success of a construction material lies in its installation and implementation. It is the same with Composite Decking. Treating a composite decking board like natural wood may mean that you end up with an installation that does not meet your expectations.

Let's agree to disagree, Composite wood is not natural timber and should not be treated as such. So, what's the preferred way to install composite decking according to Futurewood?

Nailing vs. Gluing vs. Screwing

If you're a fan of carpentry shows, where they finish working on projects in record time by wielding nail guns, electric screwdrivers and wood glue with precision, you might be in for a surprise.

Concealed Fixing Clip System from Futurewood
Right off the bat, nailing is not recommended when it comes to composite decking while wood glue or any type of glue is unnecessary for Futurewood composite decking.

Screwing into the CleverDeck is not necessary as the simple to use clipping system makes screwing into each board redundant. However, on the off chance that decking designs specify boards to be screw fixed into the structure, there are several points to consider.

The CleverDeck Composite Decking requires predrilling and countersinking with the required screw length set to a minimum of 60mm.

Butt joints are fixed with two screws that should be placed a minimum of 25mm from the outside edge of the board and the end of the board.

Remember to set drivers to a low or medium torque when screwing into Clever Deck and generally, any composite decking. Screws should not be "overdriven" into the decking.

In recap, nailing and gluing are both out of the question, screwing is optional but not recommended, not only from a functional perspective but also in terms of safety and aesthetics.

So, what's really the best way to install the CleverDeck composite decking?

Clipping

Manufacturers have found a way to fix composite wood on to the sub frame without any risk of cracking or the need to see the fixings by developing a purpose made installation clip. In the case of CleverDeck, sophisticated clipping systems such as the NewTech Deck Clip System enables concealed, safe, noninvasive installation. Standard NewTech Deck Clips are supplied with blackened stainless steel screws for screwing to either timber or steel joists.

As well as the standard clips for regular boards there are a range of other clips including; special purpose clips called Starting/Finishing clips that are used to secure the first and last boards laid on the deck. Antiwalking clips that stop board creep and special clips for securing breaker boards to the sub frame. There is a complete range of decking clips to cover all installations that every builder should know about when using CleverDeck.

Another great advantage of using New Tech deck clips is that this system allows you to easily unscrew the clips and lift up individual decking boards as required. So if you had to install something under the deck or repair something already installed under the deck like a leaky pipe unscrewing the clipping system provides simple access.

For more information on installing CleverDeck with NewTech Deck Clips and Anti Walking Clips, you may visit Futurewood's online Fixing Guide.

It's important to know how to install CleverDeck as it not only saves you from unnecessary maintenance costs and increased installation time, but it also allows you the peace of mind of having up to a 10 year warranty against rotting or attack from termites or white ants, something that you can't get with natural timber.

Knowledge is power. Do not let unfamiliarity stop you from looking for a more sustainable, more cost and time efficient and lower maintenance material than natural timber.

Futurewood offers the CleverDeck composite wood decking as an environmentally friendly, cost effective and low maintenance alternative to timber. Visit their website today.