Melbourne is the second-most populous city in Australia, and also in the geographical region of Oceania. Its metropolitan area is a collection of 31 municipalities. Needless to say, construction work goes on in Melbourne by way of building new houses and commercial complexes, or by way of renovating older buildings to make them look sprucer and more modern.
Decks and fences are bound to be a part of many of these buildings, and builders always prefer to use the latest technology in making them. Therefore, a guideline for installing composite decks will significantly help those engaged in the field. Futurewood is one of the reputed companies that cater to installing Composite Decking in Melbourne.
Installation
There is not too much difference between installing traditional decks and composite ones. The basic tools required for composite deck installation are a drill, circular saw, jigsaw, measuring tape, sledgehammer, ordinary hammer, framing square, putty knife, chalk line, and end nippers.
Once the equipment is ready, correct deck measurements should be taken, because planks have to be cut based on this measurement. For cutting the planks, a circular saw or power mitre saw can be used. If a hole is to be bored through the plank for making a downspout, it is best to use a jigsaw.
After getting the planks ready in the correct size, they need to be set correctly on the deck with the help of a putty knife. It is important to ensure that the decking boards sit parallel to the deck’s outer edge. The boards have to be fastened with screws to those corners which are nearest to the house. The spikes can be driven in using a hammer and it is best to use fasteners that will remain concealed from view.
A plastic tapping block can be used to protect the edge of the planks and get a tight seam between the planks. After this, the screws are to be driven into the fasteners and joists. Once the screwing is done, the next step is to cut into shape the second decking plank after measuring its size against the concealed fasteners in the first plank. After securing that one, the planks have to be laid one after the other, until reaching the end of the deck and securing the last one.
Fitting
To construct a deck the right way, a person should be thorough with the job of fitting.
How to qualify as a composite decking fitter
A decking professional should be thorough with all aspects of decking. These aspects will include selecting the right tools, correctly using the tools, measuring the deck accurately, cutting the planks accordingly, and fitting them seamlessly.
There is a preponderance of installation tools in the market nowadays, and a fitter should know how to choose them to suit his requirements correctly. Even screws should be chosen meticulously to make sure that they fit into the decking boards with full precision. The fitter should also be thorough with the different sizes into which planks have to be cut.
Manufacturers do their job correctly and make sure that the material they produce can be cut and fixed easily.
Factors to consider while hiring a composite decking fitter
· The experience of the fitter in the field of composite decking, and their level of know-how in the latest developments in the field.
· Their charges for the service.
· Proof of earlier works done by them, if any, and the quality of those works.
· Flexibility factors like the novelty of the idea, time required to finish the job, and the hours they are ready to work, can also be taken into consideration.
Bottom Line
The process of composite decking is becoming increasingly popular, as more and more manufacturers enter the field. For buyers, the quality of a product will always be the primary concern in choosing a product, and this criterion will help them to make the right choice.