Composite Installation Guides and Technical Details
Guides to Successfully Specify and Install Your NewTechWood Products
To ensure your NewTechWood project is completed with ease, we’ve collected technical details, our installation videos and instructional guides to help you achieve a premium result.
How to Install Your NewTechWood Composite Products
Our installation guides are designed to help you, or your contractor successfully install your NewTechWood product. We strongly recommend you thoroughly review the relevant installation guides prior to finalising your quantities or beginning installation.
If you’ve decided to hire a contractor for the installation stage, make sure they follow the installation and care and maintenance guidelines. Do not assume they know how to install NewTechWood products. Failure to follow the installation guidelines may void the warranty.
**If you have other building works happening on site at the same time, read the care and maintenance guide carefully as lime dust and concrete may damage your boards. It is recommended you leave the decking installation as the final task or provide adequate protection. If you have any queries at all, please contact your local distributor BEFORE YOU START your project.
Screening & Fencing Installation
NewTechWood Specification Details
NewTechWood Technical Details
Screening & Fencing Installation
Backed By a 25-Year Residential Warranty
Whilst we back our products with confidence, you can have peace of mind knowing we offer the most comprehensive residential warranty on all NewTechWood composite decking, cladding and screening products.
It is essential that installation is completed per the installation guidelines, using the recommended secret fix clip systems and joist spacing to ensure your new deck, fence, screening, or cladding is installed perfectly.
NOTE:
For commercial projects, a 10-year commercial Warranty applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.)
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?
In short, yes. 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.
Your install guide says we need to apply a clear sealer on cut ends and edges of the boards. Can you please advise what kind of sealer?
We recommend a product called ‘Crommelins Wet Look Paving Sealer’.
This should be brushed or rolled onto exposed ends, cut ends and ripped down boards.
It’s not compulsory, but we highly recommend it on installations around pools & spas.
It’s available from any local hardware store.
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.
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.
Should I use Butt joints layout?
This type of installation is a matter of a personal preference, and sometimes – budget. As long as the deck is installed by our Installation guide, it is covered by the warranty and it’s client/installer choice. We recommend using breaker boards instead of butt joins and on this deck our experts would have suggested running a breaker board from the corner of the alfresco wall to the brick pillar, which defines the space, eliminates butt joins and reduces the gaps required at the ends of boards. Best practice. But, in this particular case, it was a replacement deck, and you would expect that with the cost of new decking materials and labour they would not want to change too much with the existing frame. Breaker boards require a ladder joist to run under the board and need to be planned for when building the frame. Adding this as a retro fit is more/high cost.
Can I glue NewTechWood deck boards in place?
No composite should be glued due to the contraction and expansion requirements. However, for very small areas, such as around posts, you can use an appropriate adhesive (polyethlene based) such as Sikaflex.
Can I attach balustrades or pergola posts direct to the decking?
No. You cannot drill and attach direct on or through the decking boards for these types of support structures. Drill them direct to the sub-frame and then cut the boards around it.
What is the decking clearance required?
Installed on a sub frame over grass or dirt we recommend leaving a minimum of 100mm.
Installed on a sub frame over concrete or pavers, we recommend leaving a minimum of 40mm.
Can you attach NTW cladding direct to a fence/colorbond fence?
No, you can’t attach the cladding DIRECT to the colorbond fence – you have to attach it to a structural frame which can be attached to the fence, otherwise the colorbond fence is not strong enough to hold the cladding, plus the screws would go through the thin metal fencing and your neighbour wouldn’t be too happy about that. But put it up on a frame that way and it will be okay.
Are there any other fixing requirements for ceiling fixing besides the methods used for wall fixing?
There are some detailed changes between the wall and ceiling installation, the span sizes for example, an AW02 starting profile to begin the run rather than AW08 clips. This is all explained in the install guide.
Timber Batons onto brickwork generally around 30mm deep x 45w?
Yes, timber battens into brickwork or onto stud frames with the sarking sheet behind the battens as per the install guide. It is up to the installer to choose the batten however a Pre primed H3 Losp treated batten is our suggestion of at least 30mm depth.