Composite Wood decking - BKK

[RAZZELL]

Any advice for brands for composite decking in the Bangkok area, and what sort of price to pay?

 

Also, any recommended contractors and/or estimated price per sqm to fit?

 

RAZZ

[Crossy]

Inovar Novadeck seems to be the most available, you can check prices on the Homepro website, you may wish to sit down first.

 

We just completed a simple deck for our above-ground pool, to ease access for us oldies. 

 

Rather than the composite we used Conwood decking, it needs the same sub-structure (about 300mm joist spacing) and is a LOT cheaper per m². It's hardly light weight mind and does require painting (the pre-coloured stuff seems to be special order and long lead).

 

We put ours on a steel sub-structure, wood is too attractive to the local wildlife (or too expensive if it's not). Steel is strong, cheap, readily available and we already had the tools (chop-saw, welder, angle grinder) from various other construction jobs (sheds, chook house, car-port etc.).

 

Can't help with a contractor I'm afraid, ours is a DIY (with family labour) job.

 

[RAZZELL]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Inovar Novadeck seems to be the most available, you can check prices on the Homepro website, you may wish to sit down first.

 

Yeah, I see what you mean! ????

 

https://www.homepro.co.th/search?q=inovar

 

What's the difference between the solid version and the one with the "holes"?

 

Also, I am tempted to get smooth rather than grooved decking.

 

In the UK most people lay it with the grooves face upwards for "grip" - although from research this is wrong and the grooves are actually for airflow and drainage? ????

 

RAZZ

[sometimewoodworker]

20 minutes ago, RAZZELL said:

In the UK most people lay it with the grooves face upwards for "grip" - although from research this is wrong and the grooves are actually for airflow and drainage?

If they lay it that way up they are stupid. The groves reduce that area for water to be trapped between the board and substructure. There may be boards with narrow groves in the top surface for grip, but the few wide groves should be facing down.

 

there are some plastic products that can be placed either way up but they have multiple narrow grooves 

 

Quote

3 reasons why smooth decking facing up is the wise choice every time;

 

1. Wood is a naturally fibrous material that isn’t slippy underfoot, even when wet. In fact, the fibres in wood lift when exposed to water and provide more grip not less. Mildew or algae on the other hand is a slippery substance that forms on surfaces including wood in damp and dark conditions. It’s this algae that you slip on, not the wood. Reeded or ribbed decking creates more surface area for algae to start growing on, the grooves in effect provide a protected and shaded area for algae to develop in unhindered. Smooth surfaced decking meanwhile has no such grooves or ruts for algae and mildew to form in, making it much less likely to become slippery. Additionally the increased surface area of ribbed decking boards take up to twice as long to dry as smooth, surfaced deck boards.

2. Reeded or ribbed deckboards are presented and sold as being anti slip or pro grip by design. This is not true. In fact, because of the grooves, they present less contact area for your foot to grip onto. It can also be painful to walk barefoot on a ribbed, reeded or castellated deck. Smooth decking on the other hand presents the maximum contact area for your feet and is far more comfortable to walk on.

3. Reeded, deep castellated or ribbed decking attracts, traps and holds dirt in the grooves promoting damage from damp and algae growth. Ribbed decking is difficult to clean properly without resorting to chemical treatment and a jetwash, whereby you are forcing yet more water deep into the grooves to remove stubborn dirt from the internal corners of the grooves or reeds. Once again with smooth surfaced decking boards there are no such problems, dirt and blemishes are easy to sweep clean in any direction from the smooth surface.

In summation, apart from showing off the beauty of the wood in your deck, smooth deck boards are safer to use with less surface area for slippery substances to grow on and more surface area to grip to. In addition, smooth decking is easier to maintain, repair and will last far longer than ribbed decking. 

 

Edited February 27, 2020 by sometimewoodworker