How to Install Composite Decking

Installing Direct Decking Composite Decking Boards Now comes the fun part! With a well-built base and the right tools (and favourable weather) your new deck could be ready to use by dinner time.

Just ensure children and pets stay well away while the power tools are going. We also recommend wearing goggles, mask and gloves to protect yourself from injury. And always follow the usage guidelines for any tool.

Recommended tools: • An electric saw – any saw will do but finer teeth will give a more professional finish. If you’re fitting boards diagonally you’ll need a mitre to ensure a good fit • An electric drill – you’ll find the job goes faster if you predrill the joists and then use a screwdriver bit to screw in the screws • Tape measure • Pencil TOP TIP: When working with our Premium Wood Effect boards, a strip of masking tape over the saw line can result in a neater cut We supply stainless steel fixing clips that allow the boards to expand and contract without warping or twisting. These clips can’t be over-tightened and automatically ensure the correct space is left between each board for drainage. Each one is fixed to the joist with a single wood-screw (supplied).

Getting Started

Step 1 Fix Starter Clips to the edge of the base leaving a 20mm gap between the clip and the wall. You’ll need a Starter Clip at the end of each joist

Step 2 Slide the first board into the starter clips, making sure it is fitted into each clip

Step 3 Slide a Middle Clip under the first board on each joist leaving the two hooks and screw hole visible. Screw each one into place.

Step 4 Add the next decking board. Repeat.

There’s no need to remove the decking board and no need to tighten the hooks. They are designed to let the board expand. ©Direct Decking 2020

0800 6123 996 | sales@directdecking.co.uk | Factory Lane, Brantham, CO11 1NH

Meeting in the Middle If your deck is longer than your decking boards you’ll need to join them up. There are a number of ways you can do this - the only ‘rule’ is that you leave a 5mm gap at each join to allow for expansion and drainage.

Option 1 A straight line – just carry on decking!

Option 2 A staggered line – will hide a multitude of sins if your boards aren’t exactly the same length

Option 3 Use a length of board the right way up or flipped over to the smooth side. This breaks larger decks up into different areas and works really well on decks that aren’t a simple rectangle but are L-shaped or go around corners

Finishing Up We sell trim to match all our decking boards which can be used to hide the base and hold the last board in place or, if you started on the outside edge and worked towards the wall, to cover any remaining gap. The trim is thinner than a decking board so can be used on curved edges. Fix it to the frame using wood screws – make sure you predrill to prevent pressure splits - and make the holes slightly elongated to allow the Trim boards to expand.

For a really smart finish use our matching Screw Cap Covers.

Cut ends of our Standard Grooved Decking Boards can be hidden using matching clip-on End Caps.

©Direct Decking 2020

0800 6123 996 | sales@directdecking.co.uk | Factory Lane, Brantham, CO11 1NH