Timber and Composite Decking News Blog

Care of timber and wood-based products on building sites

Care of timber and wood-based products on building sites

Timber is one of the most common materials on a building site - but is often one of the least respected. Bad handling and poorly organised storage are major causes of damage and wastage. The financial and environmental considerations of material wastage are covered in a new Wood Information Sheet, Care of timber and wood-based products on building sites, which details measures to prevent it.

Wood naturally contains moisture, the amount varying with.... to continue reading click here

Hardwood Decking Latest News

Exterpark Decking has launched their updated website. It is a comprehensive high quality decking website and is now available in Spanish, English, Russian and Italian.

The patented and truly invisible Exterpark has proved to be the specifiers choice when considering a one stop shop for selecting the finest decking for projects anywhere in the world.

2 profiles, 3 thicknesses, 10 hardwood species and composite decking to select from plus a whole range of finishing pieces,  fixings, pedestals, oil and professional advice.

Teak, Indonesian and rustic, Elondo, Ipe, Lapacho, Cumaru,

Merbau, Kurupay, Doussie, Kebony

www.exterpark.com 

Tube driver furious over “Timber Decking”

Perhaps the tube driver didn’t quite understand the irony when a professional timber Decking installation company quoted additional labour charges as the works were scheduled to take place during this year’s 2012 Olympics.

When the tube driver challenged the contractor about the additional charges the contractor said “Well, everyone else seems to be charging more so why can’t we, we don’t have Union representation as we are self employed and I see it only fair that when others are having a handout others should benefit too!”

The alleged story is wider spread than first thought; how are the very many trade companies going to cope whilst working in London whilst the Olympics are taking place, traffic will make it difficult to impossible during the games and parking will be a nightmare, even more so than it already is...

Buildbase chooses Hardwood Decking with Lyptus®

Builders merchant, Buildbase, has become the first national chain to stock Lyptus® Decking, the certified and sustainable hardwood product brought to market by Weyerhaeuser UK import partner, Woodlink UK. The first hardwood decking supply deal to be agreed by Buildbase, Lyptus Decking is immediately available and is the only hardwood product supplied as a stock item throughout its branch network.

Catapulted into the world stage following its use on the gold-medal award winning 'A Monaco Garden' at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Lyptus Decking has fast become a sought after hardwood decking product based on its strong environmental credentials and striking aesthetics. Having first seen Lyptus Decking at the GLEE launch last year, Buildbase recognized the benefits of sustainable supply and certified sources, which coupled with the success of the recent RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has led to a prompt roll-out of Lyptus Decking into 12 branches.

Grown on managed plantations in Brazil, which are fully certified to the national sustainable forestry standard, Cerflor and recognized by the international Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the eucalyptus trees used to manufacture Lyptus can be harvested within 14-16 years, compared to the 60 plus years it takes many tropical trees to mature. This faster rate of growth facilitates the sustainability of supply, as the plantations can deliver a greater yield in a shorter space of time.

Cyril Williams, Director, Woodlink UK, and comments: "Lyptus Decking is the result of significant investment, both in time and resource, to deliver a sustainable hardwood decking product that rivals non sustainable choices. Whilst the interest in Lyptus Decking post-Chelsea has been phenomenal, the key to its commercial success will be availability, and with the new agreement with Buildbase now in operation, the product will be readily accessible nationwide

Thicker Hardwood Decking and more choice for the UK deck installer

For years 21mm decking has controlled the market for the vast majority of suppliers of hardwood decking. This thickness will have a limited time span especially when constructed over a soft wood timber frame, this doesn’t make sense.

Hardwood decking has been misunderstood for many of the people that assume they are getting a better deal out of using hardwood – what about using a cost effective hardwood timber frame.

"By using a hardwood deck AND a hardwood frame your deck will outlast any other."

Let’s make decking sense, it’s time to change.

We want good value for money especially when purchasing a hardwood deck – we also want that investment to last a long time. For an increased performance and to guarantee a longer lasting deck why not increase the thickness? The labour will most certainly be the same so the increase in initial cost really would benefit in the long term....

Hardwood timber substructure and thicker hardwood decking is the way forward....what do you think?

Decking balcony collapses, 9 Injured, Latest Decking News

A deck collapse at a holiday house has left nine people injured and highlighted concerns over older balconies.

The group was at a party in Omaha, north of Auckland, when the deck gave way.

Three of them were flown to hospital by rescue helicopter.

Master builders say decks usually collapse because they aren't looked after or they're overloaded.

The deck collapsed without warning, those standing on it crashing two-and-a-half metres to the ground

"Having a few beers, the deck collapsed, fell down, all hell broke loose," says Michael Murray.

Three partygoers were taken to hospital by rescue helicopter after suffering serious injuries, at least one after falling through a ranch slider.

The deck was bolted to the house but snapped off the wall. Mr Murray says it wasn't caused by overloading.
"If you are saying nine is too many, a lot of people will be re-evaluating what they are doing on decks."

The home's owners say the deck was checked for safety when they bought the property nine years ago.

Click Here to watch the Decking News Colapse Video

 

The owner told 3 News his children had played on the deck last weekend - and he wouldn't have let them if he had any concerns about its safety.

But there were safety concerns over a second deck at the house - the owners were getting it repaired and had told people to stay off.

"It's a freak accident, we are just concerned that everyone's alright," says Mr Murray. "No point in getting angry."

The Auckland Council is now investigating the collapse but wouldn't talk to 3 News about it. We showed pictures of the deck to the Master Builders Federation - they noticed rotten timber, but say it's too early to pinpoint this as the cause.

Warwick Quinn says deck collapses are usually caused by overloading or poor maintenance.

"This might be old - looks like it was built in the '80s or '90s, but like anything it needs proper maintenance," he says.

Mr Quinn says anyone who's worried about the safety of their deck - or how many people it can safely hold - should call an engineer or builder.

from 3NEWS.CO.NZ

Decking search trends on Google

More and more information about decking is available everyday; customers knowledge is enhanced via the net and yet google search patterns seem to follow a certain trend. Since 2007 the internet users searching for decking has shown a marked reduction. Can it be that no matter what decking companies are doing to promote themselves, the searching public have lost or losing confidence in the products available.

Perhaps we should be providing education and sound uncomplicated advice about decking and its benefits more so that product advertising.......

Exterpark Decking is World Wide

Exterpark Decking appears to be the right choice

Exterpark, after the success of the Rambla del Mar in Barcelona and its six years in perfect condition, the Spanish manufacturer pioneer in outdoor decking fixing systems hidden and invisible, now has another iconic reference. This time the project is located in Hong Kong and particularly in the area of Kowloon. This is a public walkway on the waterfront overlooking the financial centre in an industrial area, a spectacular platform that looks contemporary and will do for many years.

An arena such as the newly opened gateway area has 2000 m2 Plus Exterpark Lapacho wood. This installation was key to enhancing the quality of life of residents and the city as a whole by providing it with recreational spaces of high quality.

Exterpark, another milestone that shows how the quality of the materials and the installation system is essential for a good and long-lasting result. Exterpark, quality and longevity

Always choose the correct timber decking for your project

Cost Effective Decking in Paris.

Designing and proposing a decking structure for a public place is a privileged task. Tell everyone what you have designed and they will look, show them where it is and they will seek it out. The success of a project is 5 to 10 years down the road; does it still look as it did? Is it still functional?

The flowing lines, the symmetry and the perfect balance of natural timber decking against the harsh concrete brings an added complexity to the design and softens the environment. To have this balance is an important part of the design, especially, if it is the public eye and will be for years to come.

From the design we have the balance of aesthetics against longevity, why design and construct a product that will need replacing in a short space of time? The balance is about creating a project that is perceived by the public that their money has been well and justifiably spent on this new project. The design is what people see first, then the material and finally how long it lasts.

Correct materials choice is sometimes more than choosing what fits the budget, is it going to look good in this environment? Is it going to last a long time? Is it going to bring value for money?

Is is the responsibility of the QS (Quantity Surveyor), the Designer or Client? Many projects have been systematically broken down in such a microscopic way to destroy the design and reduce the longevity, but, “that’s ok as we are now in budget”. Let’s use a cheaper product and get it installed quickly........perhaps we should think again.

To save 10-15% today will only bite you in the backside in 5 years time. When selecting a new timber decking product it makes sense to use the best and use it once.