CONSULTATION » Decking boards " Mistake

Typical mistakes in terrace construction

Wood decking is not rocket science. Nevertheless, there are a few mistakes that can occur again and again when building a wooden terrace. Here's what they are and how to avoid them.

Fault: Insufficient ventilation

Consequence: If the terrace is not well ventilated from below, waterlogging will form. This can lead to a variety of problems: floorboards can warp, screws can break and the durability of the wood is significantly reduced if it is not allowed to dry well again and again.

Solution: Plan ventilation profile at the edges of the terrace. Increase the construction height with pedestals or counter battens. Also plan joints with facings, if necessary use a perforated plate instead of floorboards. Do not fall below a distance of 1,5 cm to fixed structures (house wall, curbs). Water should be able to drain off the subfloor. This is possible with crushed stone, gravel and grit or a sufficient incline. Avoid water blockage: Create air space under the substructure with terrace pads so that water is not blocked in its flow direction.

Fault: Too few screws

Consequence: Due to its high density, hardwood can develop enormous strength. If the plank has too much leeway, it can buckle and warp. In addition, the screws can break.

Solution: Screw the planks at the beginning and end and observe a maximum screw spacing of 50 cm. Leave the board ends protruding by a maximum of 8 cm.

Error: substructure short-lived

Consequence: The substructure is not as durable as the decking. In case of doubt, the terrace must be renewed, although the decking would have lasted for years.

Solution: Top covering and substructure should have a similar service life. The resistance class provides information about the durability of a type of wood. Top covering and substructure should not be more than one resistance class apart.