Composite Decking Installation Hints & Tips

When commencing composite decking installation always keep the shallow groove which appears on one edge of each board consistently on the same side. As the fibres of the board are directional, this will ensure the sun casts a consistent shadow, giving a uniform shade throughout.

• Use the CONCEALoc^® bracket to fix the first and last board.
• For the neatest decking installation, pre-drill (but do not countersink) 4mm pilot holes when face fixing boards drive the screws until the head is flush with the surface of the board do not over drive
• TimberTech is easy to install with no special requirements. We recommend standard wood working tools and standard pressure treated softwood timbers for the sub frame. TimberTech can be drilled, nailed, sawn or routed, with no danger of rot
• Maximum span between joists 500mm for residential decks (VertiGrain)
• We recommend a 3 to 4mm gap between boards (CONCEALoc^® is designed to automatically create the 4mm gap between the boards)

EASYFIX

• Available in 2 heights: 10mm or 38mm
• Decide what height timber joists to use paying attention to the height of any existing door thresholds. Pressure treated 50mm wide soft wood timber joists should be used. You can select the height of timber joists to suit your installation – generally between 50 – 100mm high
• Push fit EasyFix shoes at gaps of 400mm down the length of the timber joists. We recommend 8 per m² for joists at 400mm centres on residential decks
• Layout the timber joists
• When making a butt joint in joists always leave a 15mm expansion gap and ensure the joint is supported by a vertical post
• Fix a timber joist noggin at intervals of 1.2m
• Use EasyFix packers to assist with levelling the deck

ORNAMENTAL HANDRAIL SYSTEM

• Whilst top and bottom rails are pre-drilled we recommend you pre-drill for all other fastener locations
• Check all components are included prior to assembly
• We recommend additional reinforcement is included for Handrail at first floor and above – a steel reinforcement rod can be pushed through the void in the Handrail profile and fixed into the vertical 90 x 90mm timber posts
• Ornamental Railing is 900mm high when positioned 100mm off the deck. Should you be constructing an elevated deck that has its deck surface 600mm above ground level, and the deck is subject to Building Regulations the handrail should be 1100mm above deck level. TimberTech supply a 3.6m baluster that can be cut into 4 equal 900mm lengths which increases the height of the handrail to the required 1100mm

TIMBERTECH RADIANCE RAIL

• Check all components are included prior to assembly
• If you need to cut RadianceRail components, cut slowly using a fine tooth saw blade to avoid chipping the surface and cut down through the white/black coating not up through it
• We recommend additional reinforcement is included for Handrail at first floor and above – a steel reinforcement rod can be pushed through the void in the Handrail profile and fixed into the vertical 95 x 95mm timber posts
• Should you be constructing an elevated deck that has its deck surface 600mm above ground level, and the deck is subject to Building regulations the handrail should be 1100mm above deck level. TimberTech supply a 3.6m baluster that can be cut into 4 equal 900mm lengths which increases the height of the handrail to the required 1100mm

Need further help with composite decking installation? See our list of decking installation Frequently Asked Questions.

The Complete Guide to Installing TimberTech Decking, Railing Systems and Decklites
Please note this guide is available in three product specific sections :

• Guide to Installing and Maintaining Decking and Dryspace
• Slip Resistant Properties
• Guide to Installing and Maintaining Railing Systems
• Guide to Installing and Maintaining DeckLites

Need further help? See our list of Frequently Asked Question