Composite Decking FAQ
BuildDirect is pleased to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on a wide variety of our products. If your questions are not answered on this page, or you simply wish to speak with a Customer Service Representative, our customers can contact us toll free from anywhere in North America at 1-877-631-2845 or by email at customerservice@builddirect.com
Q. Why should I use composite decking?
A. Pravol composite decking has a long lasting life with a minimum of care and maintenance. It is a composite material of recycled wood fiber, LDPE and HDPE plastic and rice husk flour, but with no preservative chemicals to worry about, and no splinters that can cause painful slivers.
Q. How do I clean it?
A. You can clean your Pravol deck occasionally with a detergent or deck cleaner, a brush, and a hose to keep it looking fresh. Power washers can be harmful and only used with care.
Q. Will Pravol decking decay?
A. The plastic encapsulates the wood fiber protecting it from water and the elements that can swell or rot natural wood decking. Pravol comes with a 10-year limited warranty against decay and water damage.
Q. What span length can we do with Pravol?
A. The span can be up to 24” between joists for perpendicular application. We would recommend 16” for a strong and solid deck. For application on a 45 degree angle, a maximum of 12” on center will give the best result.
Q. How can I cut and nail it?
A. Pravol decking cuts just like wood with a normal tool such as a skill saw, and will accept nails or screws similarly to wood. The nails or screws should be applied at the thick support areas to ensure full contact and holding power.
Q. Do I need special tools?
A. There is no need for special tools. Regular woodworking tools are all you need for cutting and building a Pravol deck. Our installation instructions have a short list of simple tools that will help.
Q. What type of fasteners should be used?
A. This depends on the type of support structure underneath the deck. If you are using the new ACQ, ACZA, or CA-B treated lumber and using our Dacron coated steel clip system, please use stainless steel or coated deck screws as well. We do not recommend nails.To be sure of the correct screw fasteners please consult with your local building dealer as some fastening companies do have proprietary coating for this use.
Q. Is Pravol composite flooring fire resistant?
A. Pravol decking is fire resistant, but like wood, the product is not fire proof and will burn or melt at a high temperatures. As with other materials, caution should be taken to ensure BBQ’s and other potential sources of fire are safe.
Q. Can I obtain a sample of the decking?
A. Yes. Allow for a ground delivery of 5-7 business days at $15-20 US, and overnight 1-2 day delivery for a small premium.
Q. What colors and styles do you have?
A. Our Pravol decking comes in a Cottage Gray medium-gray color and a Cedar Brown. The style is a simulated wood-grain and has a textured surface reducing the slippery effect.
Q. How can I purchase Pravol decking?
A. You can call a BuildDirect representative toll free at 1-877-631-2845 and get a quotation for the product delivered to your driveway. If you area comfortable with the website, and know what you need you can buy on line, it is strictly private and secure.
Q. How accurate are the sizes?
A. Extrusion technology produces a very accurate Pravol product that will meet the most demanding size requirements. The thickness is +/- 0.5mm (1/50 ”) and width will be -0.0mm/+1.0mm (1/25”).
Q. How much expansion or contraction should I allow for?
A. This depends on the temperature range from the time of installation to what may be the maximum temperature expected. For the width gaps, a spacing of 3/16”- 1/4” is enough to allow movement and also make sure water and dirt will not collect. For the length gaps, we would recommend a 3/16” to 1/4” to protect against buckling due to expansion in hot weather.
Q. Will my color fade?
A. Pravol decking has UV protectors which will reduce the fading effect, however with all things, the color will fade somewhat over time.
Q. Can I paint my deck in the future if I want to change the color?
A. We do not recommend painting your Pravol deck because you will then face the same maintenance issues that you have with natural wood decks. Once painted, you need to continue the up-keep. Pravol composite decking is impregnated with a dye which will last the life of the deck.
Q. How long will my deck last?
A. Your Pravol deck will last many years depending, of course, on how much you use it. It has a 10-year limited warranty but since there is no decay or loss of structural integrity on this product, we believe it will last well beyond the time.
Q. What are my delivery options?
A. We can do the following:
- Residential delivery -This is delivery to the curbside/driveway of your residence. As indicated, the buyer is required to unload, and this normally requires a couple of persons. For one lift of decking, it is not a long job. Due to the dimensions of decking, lift gates are not possible.
- Commercial delivery – For this type of delivery, a warehouse location withaccess to a loading/unloading ramp anda forklift are necessary to ensure quick unloading of the product.
- Terminal pick up– You have the option of pickup at the nearest terminal to you, with the help of our trucking partner. Select this option in the “Select delivery type” pulldown menu at the checkout, and enter your zip code . You will need a good flat bed trailer/truck for forklift loading.
- Warehouse pick up– for our Pravol composite decking, if you have the ability to pick up at the warehouse select this option at the checkout stage of your transaction. This option also requires a good flat bed trailer/truck that can be loaded by a forklift in an industrial operation. Currently, warehouse locations for Pravol composite decking are in Tacoma, WA and York, VA.
In all the options above, please make note of the weights and dimensions of the product you are considering for your own reference.
Q. Where can I get further information on deck building?
A. There are many “how-to” books and websites that can aid in the designing and building of a strong deck. You should also consult your local building code authorities to obtain the relevant building regulations for your area.
Q. Does BuildDirect have deck plans?
A. We do not carry deck plans however, by searching with the terms deck plans or building plans on the Internet, you will be able to find websites that do have plans for various deck designs.
Q. What volumes can I purchase with a 40′ container?
A. There are some optimal combinations of length for the loading patterns, ideally the standard is
Pravol – a total of 23,040 lineal feet and 200 boxes of clips is a standard full load for a 40′ container with a length selection of the following
- 4 pallets of 12′ and 12 pallets of 16′ is a standard mix
- Or 20 pallets of 12′ with 200 boxes of clips
- Or 15 pallets of 16 with 200 boxes of clips
- Other options are possible and subject to container weight limitations.
Rever – a total of 24,480 lineal feet and 84 pails of clips is a standard full load for a 40′ container, again with a length selection of the following
- 4 pallets of 12′ and 12 pallets of 16′ is a standard mix,
- Or 20 pallets of 12′ with 84 pails of clips
- Or 15 pallets of 16′ with 84 pails of clips
- Other options are possible and subject to container weight limitations.
Q. Can I fit more into a container?
A. The limitations are the space within the container and the road weight allowance limits for transport, at the 23,040 or the 24,480 the limits of 44,000 lbs has been met. It is not possible of over-weight the containers.
Q. What do I need to receive a container?
A. In the case of the US or Canadian reception of a container the buyer has to have, or have access to, an industrial warehouse with loading/unloading ramps and forklifts. Unloading a container has to be done promptly and efficiently to avoid demurrage rates. We will deliver directly to the final address the buyer desires.Alternately, in the case of overseas buyers, the buyer will receive the container at the port of discharge and will be responsible for the customs clearance and any duties, reception and forwarding charges that may apply to the ultimate destination.