Name: WPC Installation and Direction Guide | PERTH Decking | Syntex America
Brand: Syntex America
SKU: installation-and-direction
Availability: InStock

This comprehensive installation guide provides detailed instructions for working with PERTH® WPC (Wood-Plastic Composite) lumber and decking materials. PERTH® WPC lumber offers outstanding workability and durability, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications.

Follow these professional guidelines to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and appearance of your PERTH® WPC installation. Proper installation techniques will maximize the benefits of this advanced composite material while ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Features

Cutting and Drilling

1. Blade Selection: For best results, use carbide tipped blades and router bits. PERTH Tip: Blades with fewer teeth (18-24 for 45cm circular saw blade) work best.2. Workability: PERTH® WPC lumber's workability is outstanding. Unlike wood, with PERTH® WPC lumber you won't need to be concerned about grain direction or knots.3. Drilling Technique: When drilling large or deep holes, periodically lift the drill out of the hole to draw the shavings out.

Handling

1. Weight and Flexibility: PERTH® WPC lumber weighs more than wood and it's more flexible. Special care should be taken when handling.2. Storage: When storing PERTH® WPC lumber at the job site, be sure to place on a flat surface.3. Stacking: When stacking units, supports should start at each end and be spaced 60cm on center. Supports should line up vertically.

Installing

In most installations, a span of 60cm on center using a minimum of 3 joists will provide excellent results. Please refer to Table 1 of PERTH® Decking Span Chart (1) and Table 2 of PERTH® Decking Span Chart (2).1. Fasteners: Stainless steel or nickel-plated nails or screws are highly recommended to take full advantage of the durability of PERTH® WPC lumber.2. Nailing: More force is required to drive a nail into PERTH® WPC lumber than regular wood. Hold nail while hammering until it is driven 1.5cm to 2cm. Hitting a nail with full force when it is not driven in may cause it to fly out. Nail guns work very well with PERTH® WPC lumber.3. Pre-drilling: For cold weather installations or when using wood screws or lag bolts, pre-drilling may be necessary. Do not drill holes any larger than 3/4 of the screw/bolt diameter.4. Mushrooming: Most screws will cause PERTH® WPC lumber to 'mushroom' up over the screw head. Simply tap down with a hammer to hide the fastener or pre-drill to reduce the 'mushroom' effect.5. Wide Boards: To the kind of PERTH® WPC whose width is more than 10cm, two nails or screws should be used at the same position.Notes:<ul><li>When the angle of decking board to joints is just like Fig.1, see Table 2 of 'PERTH® Decking Span Chart (2)'.</li><li>Special applications or unusual loading conditions—such as hot tub installations—may require shorter spans. In these cases, obtain an engineering analysis before installation.</li></ul>

Gapping

Gapping is necessary to allow for drainage and cleaning and also to allow for the slight thermal expansion and contraction of PERTH® decking.Width-to-Width: For width-to-width gap required is 6mm. For cold weather installations, 10mm is recommended.End-to-End: PERTH® decking must also be gapped end-to-end, based upon the length of the board, the temperature at installation, the highest temperature expected during the year and the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion/Contraction (0.9 × 10⁻⁴).Counting the gapping of END-to-END: For L long PERTH® decking, the highest temperature expected during the year is Tmax, the temperature at installation is T, then the gapping of END-to-END is:Gap = L × (Tmax - T) × 0.9 × 10⁻⁴EXAMPLE: A PERTH® decking long is 2 meters, the temperature at installation is 10°C, the highest temperature expected during the year is 40°C, so the gapping of END-to-END is:= 2000 × (40-10) × 0.9 × 10⁻⁴ = 5.4mmImportant: PERTH® decking must always be installed properly gapped and directly on joists. Do not attach PERTH® decking to any solid surface or water tight system such as sheathing, waterproof membranes, concrete, roof systems or patios.

Cleaning

1. Mold and Mildew: For stains caused by mold, mildew, berries and leaves, conventional deck washes containing detergent and sodium hypochlorite work well.2. Rust and Dirt: For rust stains, ground-in dirt and grime, use cleaners containing phosphoric acid which are commonly available in home centers and hardware stores.3. Oil and Grease: For tougher stains, such as oil or grease, scrub with a detergent containing a degreasing agent as soon as the stain occurs. PERTH Tips: A light sanding with a medium grit sandpaper works well in removing grease stains that have been allowed to set. This area will weather again as it did after installation.4. Drainage: Periodically clean out expansion gaps between PERTH® boards with a flat tool to ensure proper drainage.

Installation and Direction

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