installation guidelines - eva-last usa · decking installation guidelines 8. deck installation 1....

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INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

CONTENTS

1 Introduction

2. Storage and handling

3. Expansion and contraction

4. Cutting

5. Spans and supports

6. Ventilation

7. Fasteners

8. Deck installation

9. Installation diagram

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Decking installation guidelines

CONTENTS

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1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing Eva-Last® decking. In these guidelines we aim to assist you in successfully completing an installation that will

last as long as the Eva-Last® decking products themselves.

• The purpose of this guide is to help you adhere to all Eva-Last® warranty specifications and create a durable, long-lasting

installation.

• Please note the limitations of this guide:

o This guided intended only for Eva-Last® single level square decks.

o The person using these guidelines should already have a basic understanding of deck building practices.

o Decks must be built in accordance with federal and local bi-laws and building codes.

Please bear in mind that decks of varying shapes may require different calculations and techniques. Please do not hesitate to contact

Eva-Last® should you need any technical assistance at any stage of your build.

Basic components of a deck

1 - Foundation

2 - Bearer beams

3 - Joists

4 - Decking

5 - Fascias

6 - Clips

7 - Screws

8 - Structural poles

23

4

5

6

7

1

8


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• Boards should be stored undercover.

• When storing boards on site, a pallet should be used. Or the boards should be on a flat surface.

• A groundsheet may be used if there is no other option.

• Boards should be securely packed. Do not over-stack.

Boards are long and heavy. Care must be taken when lifting. More than one person may be required dependent on the length

of the board.

Boards are available in 2.9m and 5.8m lengths. In oder to avoid boards from being damaged during transportation, it is highly

advisable that you transport the boards in a vehicle long enough to hold the boards without bending them. We recommend

that 6m long trailers and trucks should be used for transportation. Boards must be secured properly before transportation.

2. Storage and handling

Transportation

The extrusion process Eva-Last® employs utilizes incredibly high pressures but low rates, resulting in products that are generally

more dense than wood. The HDPE component of the material make-up is susceptible to slightly greater expansion and

contraction than traditional timber. This is partially mitigated by the intersection of bamboo fibres and mineral particles present

throughout a product’s profile.

The total change in length will depend on the total change in temperature and the length of the profile. The total change in

length of a 5 800 mm profile over a temperature change of 30°C will be (on average) approximately 8.7 mm. Compared to

timber, Eva-Last® composites experience more expansion and contraction. Timber is typically more susceptible to irregular

activity, such as twisting, and larger deformation due to moisture absorption. Eva-Last® products have an absorption rate of less

than 0.2 % and the movement of composite is more uniform. As a result, Eva-Last® profiles will remain more true to their form.

The homogeneous movement of composite is easily accounted for during installation. The anticipated change in length can be

accommodated for using expansion gaps at either end, or at both ends depending on the intended design, by employing the

intelligent Hulk hidden fastener system. To optimize the size of the expansion gaps, the maximum expected temperature range

- in relation to the installed ambient temperature - should be calculated and the corresponding change in length calculated.

3. Expansion and contraction

Boards expand at 1.5 mm / m of composite deck board

When leaving an expansion gap for each board one should compare the current installation temperature (ambient) to what

is a common maximum or minimum temperature for that site. If you are installing at 06:00 in the morning in the middle of

winter it will be close to the minimum temperature the board will experience, as a result the board will be the ‘shortest’ it will

ever be at installation. As the temperature rises the board will expand. When its get to the peak temperature in the middle of

summer the board will have moved to the ‘longest’ it will ever be. The difference between the longest and shortest positions

of the board dictate the required size of the expansion gap. But the starting position of the expansion gap will depend on the

starting temperature or installation temperature. Therefore, boards installed closer to the minimum site temperature will have

to have a relatively larger starting expansion gap. Boards installed closer to the maximum site temperature will have to have a

relatively smaller starting expansion gap as the boards will ‘shrink’ as the temperature decreases.


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Original lengths (m)

Minimum length (m)

Maximum length (m)

Installation gap during coldest parts of the day (mm)

Installation gap during the warmest part of the day (mm)

Estimated expansion lengths (mm) over a temperature difference of 25oC

1000

998.5

1001.5

1.5

2000

1997.0

2003.0

3.0

3000

2995.5

3004.5

4.5

0

4000

3994.0

4006.0

6.0

5000

4992.5

5007.5

7.5

5 800

5791.3

5808.7

8.7

2 meter composite deck board

2 meters

1 meter 1 meter

1.5 mmgap

1.5 mmgap

An installation can take place over a few days resulting in varying installation temperatures depending on the project site,

the boards may experience differing heating and cooling rates. Therefore will expand and contract at varying rates. Once

installation is complete, leave the installed boards to acclimatize before cutting them to the desired length.

Breaker boards (boards laid at 90° to the rest of the deck) can

be used to create a border around the deck. This will aid in

controlling expansion resulting in better aesthetics. Noggins

will need to be used to support the breaker board. The breaker

board will need to be top fixed to these noggins.

Breaker boards can be used to control board movement, and give the illusion of straight lines.

Hulk Fasteners are designed to controle expansion and contraction.

Additional supports are necessary for:

1. Double joists Butt joins 2. Noggins Breaker boards 3. Ring beams Deck edges


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The choice of structural material will effect the life span of a deck. Make certain that local building codes are followed. When

installing a deck board, ensure that board ends are supported and securely fastened. Boards should not be allowed to overhang

more than 25 mm.

5. Supports and spans

Diagonally installed boards

Joist spacing for boards at different angles to joist.

Standard Span

300 mm 300 mm 260 mm 212 mm 150 mm

350 mm 350 mm 303 mm 247 mm 175 mm

400 mm 400 mm 346 mm 283 mm 200 mm

450 mm 450 mm 380mm 315 mm 225 mm

500 mm 500 mm 433 mm 354 mm 250 mm

60o 30o45o90o

1. Measure 2. Mark 3.Measure 4. Cut

• Ensure that the board is properly supported and horizontal before

cutting.

• The board may pinch the blade, or crack if the board is not properly

supported.

• Measurements should be taken when the board is flat to avoid

inaccuracies.

• Use a pencil or chalk to mark boards,

• For capped boards, use chalk or a water soluble marker .

• Use a sharp blade to cut composite.

4. Cutting

Measure twiceCut once

Support block

Sharp blade

Never measure or cut a bent board


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In order to avoid structural problems as a result of rot or corrosion. Attention should be paid to the ventilation of the deck.

Deck board gaps, gaps between fascia boards, and ground clearance is vital to ensuring that your deck can breath and last for

years to come.

• Install a 12 mm gap between the deck structure and the wall for drainage.

• Leave a minimum ground clearance of 300 mm.

• Ground clearance over concrete of 40 mm.

• Install a drainage gap at the bottom of your deck and do not block off with fascia boards.

6. Ventilation diagram

40 m

m G

AP

fo

r ve

ntila

tio

nG

AP

S b

etw

een

bo

ard

s m

ay a

ssis

t

A properly ventilated deck, allows for proper air movement, clearing any additional moisture in the air.

By sealing off a deck, condensation and evaporation can occur naturally, causing a constantly wet environment, that may harm the substructure beneath, which in the long term may harm your WPC decking.

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Eva-Last® has developed a range of fasteners that are specially designed to securely fasten the deck boards to a substructure.

The coating employed for our HULK FASTENERSTM ensure the fixing system supports your deck throughout its lifespan.

7. Fasteners

Screw type

Timber framing screw

Z-point clip screw

Composite deck screw

Metal top fixing screw

Tech screw

Torpedo clip screw

Stainless steel Carbon steel Dimensions

4.2 x 40 mm Clip screw for timber

Top fixing screw

for metal

500

500

75350

75350

200

TX30

TX30

#1 HTX (II)

TX20

TX20

#1 HTX (II)

Top fixing screw for

timber

Timber framing screw

Clip screw for metal

Class 4 Tech screw

5.0 x 63 mm

M5.0 x 44.5 mm

M6.0 x 80 mm

4.2 x 40 mm

M5.5 x 25 mm

Application Units per box Units per m2 Bit

N/A

N/A

22

22

45

45

3501050

For all HULK screws no pre-drilling is required. For fastening deck boards onto metal frames thicker than 2 mm, pre-drilling is advisable.

Fastened. For life.

S9 clip TX bit HTX bitPlastic clip Socket hex

HULK decking clips offer a fast and simple installation solution. They are

designed for use with HULK screws to provide a hidden fastening system that

gives a clean, neat finish to your deck installation.

For every HULK package, excluding those containing

Class 4 Tech screws, contains a fastening bit for your

convenience.

Eva-Last® specialised fixing systems

HULK bitsHULK decking clips

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8. Deck installation

1. Top fix your first board using a composite deck screw.

2. Insert a hidden fastener into the groove of the deck board and fasten it into the appropriate structure.

3. Insert the next board, at an angle. Engaging it with the previous hidden fastener and pressing down.

4. Insert and fix the next line of hidden fasteners. Clip the subsequent board into the hidden fastener. Repeat this step until the second-to-last board.

5. Top fix the last board with a composite deck screw.

Note: Pre-drilling may be required when top fixing.

Minimum of 30 mm to any edge. Maximum overhang of 25 mm.

Hidden

fastener

Top fixedTop view

Installation using a grooved deck board: When you install your first board, it is necessary to fasten the first board firmly to

the structure, before using hidden fasteners.

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9. Installation diagram

Description

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Maximum joist spacing

Expansion gap between butt joins

Gap between boards

Ventilation gap between deck and wall

Minimum deck height

Hidden Fastener

Top Fixing

Ventilation under Fascia boards

Grooved Deck board Solid Deck Board Fascia Board

HULK FASTENERSTM composite screw

40 mm

1.5 mm per metre(Remember double joists on any butt joins)

450 mm

5 - 6 mm

12 mm minimum

Halo clip and screw

5 - 6 mm

300 mm

12 mm minimum

N/A

N/A

N/AN/A

450 mm 450 mm

Specifications

H


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Fastened. For life.

Treasure a greener tomorrow

Made from recycled materials

No trees felled

No staining or varnishing No toxic chemicals

Reduced impact on landfills

Reduced global footprint

Eva-Last® is a globally trusted brand known for its durable and environmentally friendly productrange. We offer ultra-low maintenance and highly weather resistant alternatives to timber;reducing the impact on our forests.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that products come from responsibly managed

forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. The diverse fauna and flora who share our

forests are given the time and space to recover from our use of their environments.

Eva-Last® provides superior alternatives to timber ensuring a greener future.

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installation guidelines - eva-last usa · decking installation guidelines 8. deck installation 1....

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