Planning a terrace from A-Z
As a specialist in decking accessories, it is not only our job to support you with suitable products and installation instructions, but also to provide you with the necessary background knowledge about decking construction. Our new series is dedicated precisely to the topics that relate specifically to regulations and standards for terrace construction, so that you can benefit from professional knowledge on professional implementation throughout your projects.
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Usage classes of wooden floorboards
Despite numerous maintenance-free alternatives such as WPC or BPC, decking boards made of solid wood are still very expensive. still very popular. The feel and grain of the wooden floorboards in particular are often decisive for the Purchase decision. When looking for the right decking board, it is not only the texture and color but also the durability of the type of wood is important. Tropical hardwoods are therefore often used. But the origin and therefore the The sustainability of a floorboard is currently more important than ever, which is why the importance of domestic woods such as larch is growing,
Douglas fir or even thermowood in pine and ash is becoming increasingly popular.
The service classes (SC) provide information about the weather resistance and durability of a plank, whereby the treatment and type of installation have a strong influence on the SC in addition to the natural material properties of a wood species. These factors can favor an approximately comparable classification of native woods with tropical species. Specifically, these factors include modification processes of the wood structure through thermal treatment, as with our thermo-woods, or through special processes with bio-ethanol, as is the case with Kebony®. Below you will find an example of a comparison of the usage classes of tropical hardwoods with thermally treated Thermo wooden floorboards when installed professionally.
Example GK3: Classification of decking boards e.g. made of pine, larch, Douglas fir Laying the boards without spacers means classification in the lower usage class 3.2. By using spacers (Terraflex/Terrafix/Clipper), the same planks are upgraded to the higher GK 3.1 and are therefore comparable with the durability of many tropical hardwoods.
Are you still looking for the perfect floorboard for your patio? Then browse here.
Rear ventilation and constructive wood protection
In order to achieve a long service life with the choice of a more sustainable plank , sufficient ventilationis also necessary so that air can continue to circulate and facilitate the regular drying of water droplets. Therefore, if the installation height does not provide sufficient clearance, it is essential that this is provided by a sufficient joint spacing of at least 7 mm. Joint sealing tape should also be dispensed with in this case for the reasons mentioned and is therefore more suitable for use with weather-resistant WPC boards.
Finally, in addition to ensuring sufficient air circulation, preventing waterlogging between the planks and between the planks and the substructure is also of significant importance. This is because waterlogging provides ideal conditions for rot and fungi, which inevitably leads to a much shorter shelf life. This process can be counteracted with the help of spacers such as Terrafix, Terraflex and Clipper, which are designed to drain water away from the floorboard. When laying wooden floorboards on a wooden substructure, it is also advantageous to use protective tape to additionally protect the contact points from waterlogging.Experience has shown that the resulting constructive wood protection in accordance with DIN 68800 leads to a 20 – 30 % longer service life .
Visible vs. invisible fastening of wooden floorboards
In addition to the type of wood chosen for the decking, there is another fundamental decision to be made that is closely linked to the properties of the boards: The fastening method. Visible screw fixing from above is still very common when laying wooden decking, which may be due to uncertainty when choosing fixing aids. It is not uncommon for the experience of previously installed decking with the classic fastening method to prevail, even if this can lead to complications in the long term, e.g. due to insufficient wood protection, an uneven joint pattern or screws shearing off.
However, this does not mean that planks with a stronger swelling and shrinking behavior are unsuitable for invisible fastening – on the contrary. Wood species such as Accoya or Bangkirai do not have to do without an even and screwless laying pattern. You benefit from the very flexible properties of our clipper, which prevents screws from shearing off. In addition, the Clipper is particularly suitable because of its groove-independent mounting, which is mainly intended for thicker, ungrooved planks in widths of 90-150 mm. Terraflex is the ideal choice for grooved wooden floorboards, such as Thermo wood, with a lower swelling and shrinkage behavior, depending on the groove wall thickness in the N6 or N9 version. Thanks to the guide groove and screw channel, both fasteners can be installed particularly time-effectively in combination with our aluminum substructure system.
When it comes to fastening hardwoods such as Garapa or Massaranduba, we recommend the use of Terrafix in conjunction with suitable screws for visible fastening and a sufficient joint spacing of at least 7 mm. Also remember this joint spacing for the longitudinal joints of the decking boards.
Regardless of the fixing method, to achieve an aesthetically pleasing end result, the ends of the boards should be cut cleanly before installation. It is important that the planks are cut and processed under the same conditions. This also includes the moisture content of the boards at the time of installation, which should not be excessively damp or too dry in order to be able to utilize the play of the fasteners in both directions. The average moisture content of wooden floorboards in our Central European climate is usually around 18-20%.
Finally, compliance with local building regulations and recommendations such as “Fachregeln 02BDZ” and the plank manufacturer’s installation instructions is crucial for successful installation. For a guide to the right fastening, you can find further information on laying real wood floorboards here . Further helpful technical information for laying wooden floorboards can be found here.
Standard-compliant construction of substructures
To ensure that the decking can also benefit from the durability and quality of its materials, a stable and above all torsion-resistant structure is essential. This prevents the substructure from shifting or warping even when centrifugal forces are exerted during use. There are several options for making the substructure torsion-resistant, depending on the initial situation, i.e. the substrate. Below you will find four common examples that are used in terrace construction and are also recommended by the relevant regulations. For more information on professional decking construction, e.g. on the topics of drainage, professional substructure or wind suction load, you will find it here.
Care and maintenance
Wood as a material has many advantages, such as a pleasant feel, a natural flair and unique grain patterns. However, the susceptibility of the material also requires a certain amount of attention so that you can enjoy these qualities in the long term. It is therefore important to regularly remove moss and algae from wooden decking to minimize the risk of slipping. If necessary, you can also clean your wooden decking beyond this, e.g. with a garden hose and a soft brush. You should then reseal the surface to protect it from moisture and mold. If possible, however, the wooden floorboards should only be oiled once a year after spring cleaning, as otherwise an increased patina can develop, which contributes to an increase in slipperiness.
You should avoid using cleaners that are set too hard or hard bristles in order to avoid loosening particles from the surface, which then make it easier for dirt or plant organisms to settle.
For optimum preparation during installation, the end edges of the planks, which are cut immediately before installation, should also be treated with an end edge wax to reduce moisture penetration. This contributes to better durability and more even swelling behavior.
