FAQs

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  • Do NewTechWood Decking Boards Contract and Expand?

    NewTechWood, like all wood plastic composite products, will expand in the hotter ambient temperatures and contract in the cooler temperatures. The degree of expansion will largely depend on the type and ratio of timber & plastics used. NewTechWood profiles will expand around 1.1mm per metre from a 15°C to high ambients. Our hidden fix systems allow for this natural expansion & contraction to occur without affecting board creep or the design of the deck. When installed properly, taking into account the ambient temperature at the time of installation and leaving a sufficient but not excessive gap, the spacings between the boards should always be negligible. If you’d like to catch up with one of our NewTechWood experts, to discuss further, please get in touch and we’d be happy to arrange.

  • How close to the corner does a pedestal need to be positioned to take the corner load?

    Your corner pedestal should be placed as close to the corner as possible, without the pedestal base disc protruding outside of the footprint of the deck.

  • Structural: have a fascia required on the vertical face of the sub-frame. How is this fixed on?

    It depends on the height of your deck and the width of the fascia board. If just one 138 mm wide board, then one screw is enough to face fix directly onto the aluminium joist. If using two or more boards, then you will need to place vertical “tabs” at the appropriate length and spans, fixed with the angle brackets, to screw your fascia board into.

  • When fixing the aluminium joists cut down as bridges, how many angle brackets should I use?

    You only require two angle brackets per bridge. We suggest off-setting them to fit one on each end, and one on each side of the bridge, to give symmetrical support.

  • How frequently do I need to install bridges between the joists if I use StructurAL?

    There is no specific measurement. This is for the installer to decide what is required to hold the joists straight & true and thus create the desired square space for applying to the deck. We would suggest using one bridge every 3000mm.

  • Does a NewTechWood composite deck cost more than a timber deck?

    In the short term, it does. However, when you compare the maintenance, material, time and labour cost on traditional timber decks every year the costs really add up. In less than three years, you will be able to see all the time and money you would have saved by using NewTechWood composite timber.

  • Is NewTechWood composite timber maintenance free?

    NewTechWood requires No Oiling, No Sanding, No Painting.However, no product is totally maintenance free! Normal sweeping and cleaning is still necessary to clean off debris and dirt, and to keep your deck looking at its best. NewTechWood’s fully capped colour technology coats the boards with a high stain and fade resistant layer. This also makes the boards waterproof, so there is no need for any labour that would be necessary with regular timber.

  • Will NewTechWood composite timber fade because of exposure to the sun?

    NewTechWood’s superior technology gives the boards great Ultra-Violet resistance. When installed, cared for and maintained properly in the residential exterior deck environment, NewTechWood products provide fade resistance. However, no material is fade proof, especially when the materials are exposed to years of UV Exposure and the elements. NewTechWood warrants that the boards are resistant to colour change from light and weathering exposure as measured by colour change in excess of 5 Delta E (Hunter) units. Further references: Care & Maintenance Guide; Warranty.

  • What joist spacing is required when installing NewTechWood decking?

    Due to varying climatic conditions in different countries, joist spacing may vary.For the Australian recommendations, please refer to the Profile Tables on the specific Decking Product pages of the website, for each specific board profile. Generally, for Australian residential installations it is 350mm maximum span for the Metro Range; 450mm maximum span for the Terrace Range; and 400mm maximum span for the Coastal Range.The recommended spans for both Residential and Commercial installations are listed on the Decking Product pages’ Profile Tables.

  • Is it easy to work with NewTechWood composite timber?

    Yes! You can cut, nail, drill, screw, and rout NewTechWood with standard woodworking tools. The density of NewTechWood is greater than timber that’s why we recommend using carbide tipped blades and bits. (Note: refer to the NewTechWood Installation Guidelines for routing restrictions.)

  • Will my NewTechWood deck scratch?

    NewTechWood has an outer capping of polymer that encapsulates the board in an impermeable layer of protection that provides scratch, stain and fade resistance. Normal activities incurred in day to day living will not scratch your NewTechWood decking. However, like timber, or any other surface, excessive activities can damage the surface. Skateboarding, dragging heavy furniture, dancing in stiletto heels are some of the activities which may cause the capping to scratch, abrade or chip. To ensure your deck looks as good as new for as long as possible, we recommend fixing pads under your outdoor chairs to stop the constant dragging wearing away the capping over time. Unlike timber decking, composite decking cannot be sanded back.

  • Will my boards still be protected from the elements when I cut them and the ends are exposed?

    It is recommended that you apply a clear sealant to any exposed ends or cut edges to protect against moisture and swelling.

  • Where is NewTechWood made?

    NewTechWood is an American family-owned company, which began in Houston, Texas. They then built their own, quality controlled, manufacturing plant in China. The American owners now manage the complete manufacturing process on site. Manufacturing in China enables them to provide top quality products at an affordable price.

  • Does NewTechWood cladding meet Australian building standards?

    Whether or not any building product meets an Australian building standard depends on the application and the class of building on which it is being installed. For this reason, it is best to consult your architect, or Planning Officer at your local authority, for the particular standard(s) you need to meet. This will determine how it is to be constructed/used to ensure it meets the required Standard(s).

  • What fire rating / energy efficiency rating does NewTechWood decking have?

    BAL Fire ratings and energy efficiency ratings are not absolute values specific to a particular product, but apply to the way in which the product is installed, or the system of building in which the product is an element. NewTechWood Decking has a BAL 29 bushfire rating. Refer to the Materials Safety Data Sheet downloadable from our website.

  • What fire rating / energy efficiency rating does NewTechWood Cladding have?

    BAL Fire ratings and energy efficiency ratings are not absolute values specific to a particular product, but apply to the way in which the product is installed, or the system of building in which the product is an element. NewTechWood Cladding does not have a BAL bushfire rating. Refer to your building engineer as you may not require a BAL rating, and may be able to be used with an engineered, fire-rated system in place. Refer to the Materials Safety Data Sheet downloadable from the website.

  • Is NewTechWood impervious to mould?

    Yes! NewTechWood has mould inhibitors that prevent mould growing on the inside of the board. Surface mould can still happen, however, it will never penetrate the board itself and is easily washed off.

  • Will NewTechWood engineered timber last forever?

    Not forever, but it sure feels like it! NewTechWood uses only the highest quality materials for engineering its composite timber boards. Years of engineering have been spent to ensure the correct blend of components go into NewTechWood products. NewTechWood will hold up to the test of time.

  • Does NewTechWood get hotter than timber?

    NewTechWood decking boards will get hotter than timber in direct sunlight. It is comparable to concrete on a hot day. Consumers should test the product in barefoot scenarios to ensure suitability.

  • Does NewTechWood have a warranty?

    Yes! There is a 25-Year Limited Residential Warranty, a 10-Year Limited Commercial Warranty, and a 25-Year Limited Stain Warranty. In addition, a 2 year Labour Warranty is provided specifically to assist with the installation labour costs in replacing damaged NewTechWood boards. Refer to the Warranty document for the conditions, and for claim procedure. It can be downloaded from the website.

  • Is NewTechWood asbestos free?

    Absolutely. Our product is manufacturer certified AND we have had our NewTechWood tested right here in Perth, Western Australia, following the recent asbestos scares in the building industry.

  • Does NewTechWood decking utilise hidden fasteners?

    Yes! NewTechWood decking has grooved boards, which are designed specifically to be fixed using the NewTechWood “Hidden Fix System”.

  • Do I need to use the Hidden Clip system when installing NewTechWood decking?

    Yes, it is recommended. The clip system is designed to allow the boards to expand and contract. If you top fix the boards there is no allowance for this movement UNLESS you pre-drill and follow the special instructions in the official NewTechWood Decking Installation Guidelines – see point below. All WPC (wood plastic composite) expands and contracts in varying temperatures. The NewTechWood Clips allow the boards to move accordingly, so that your deck will last for many, many years.

  • Can I top fix my NewTechWood Deck?

    We recommend using the hidden clip system, but if you must top fix, in order to avoid voiding the warranty, the installation must be as per the official NewTechWood Decking Installation Guidelines, downloadable from the website. The clip system is designed to allow the boards to expand and contract. If you face fix or top fix the boards, and if there is no allowance made for expansion and contraction, the boards may buckle and warp. For those who prefer the “look” of top-fixing, if you top fix your deck, then you must pre-drill and counter-sink each hole slightly larger than the screw to minimise potential problems. This should eliminate the possibility of the cap layer from ‘mushrooming’, and other potential problems when top-fixing.

  • Are NewTechWood deck boards prone to static?

    All composite decking can be prone to some level of static. In fact, static build-up is a natural occurring phenomenon that can occur with many plastic products. Dry and windy environments or higher altitudes where the humidity is lower may make this even more apparent; this all varies depending on the climate and age of the decking. Also, some people are more susceptible to static shocks than others. It is similar to the charge you may receive off your car door on a dry day. It may be a good idea to avoid metal railing and chairs as static shocks may occur more often. A potential way to lower the amount of static shocks occurring is to apply an anti-static product on your deck or use anti-static mats before doorways. NewTechWood’s products have been tested against EN 1815 – Assessment of Static Electrical Propensity and have received values under the maximum standard of 2Kv.

  • Do you need to have a pedestal placed directly underneath when using a joist connector?

    No, you don’t need to have a pedestal directly underneath a join when using the joist connector, as long as you’re adhering to the maximum span table for the pedestals, it can hang in the space in-between unsupported & be structurally sound.

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