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Deck-Max ™ trade tips page..

TRADE TIPS

Tradies quotes….

  • “Get the sub structure built by a builder / chippie and the DIY ease of fixing the decking is great”
  • Buy Deck-Max in the bulk Kits - No. 30’s. Hold approx. 660 pieces and will cover from 28 sq,m up to 35 sq.m. depending on what size decking I may be using.
 Deck-Max ™ summary.....  

“After many years listening and talking to the trade we have collated some great tips from people and companies who have being involved in installing Deck-Max ™."

TIMBER DECKING MATERIAL

  • Choose the timber carefully as timber can be very unstable if it is not dried correctly, Be sure it is supplied with a moisture content that is suitable for your local environment. Ambient Measure.
  • Choose class 1 & 2 timbers.
  • If you are in doubt ATFA [Australian Timber Flooring Association] will provide guide lines OR just contact Deck-Max for recommendations.
  • Only choose Hardwoods.
  • Choose the substructure of choice – Pine [CCA] or [ACQ] – Hardwood – Metal

DECKING PREPARATION

  • Fast fix Pro biscuit – buy board from Deck-Max Licensed timber supplier with the correct groove.
  • The original Biscuit – This can also be pre grooved or The board is fixed by preparing a lateral cut to both sides with a standard biscuit cutter - still faster than drilling and screwing the deck the old way.
  • Run a test sample cut prior to preparation of timber - like the old addage - measure twice cut once. SEE MORE>>

USING THE ULTRA SET ADHESIVE

  • The Ultra Set is one of the most used glues in the internal flooring business which provides  SEE MORE>> 

BUTT JOINTS & MITRE JOINTS & FRAMING BOARDS

  • One of the best features of the Deck-Max Joiner is – It allows us to use mitred corners and they do not twist up or move when using the joiner biscuit.
  • Biscuit joiner this item is included in the Deck-Max Kit and is also available as extra’s in packs of 30. [part # DM-J10] SEE MORE>>

MAINTENANCE

This photo is a classic example of starting at the inside line [house wall] and Running the joists longer tah required SO you can then trim the joists back to finish on a full board.
 

INSTALLATION

Set up the floor joists so they run over the edge by say 150mm then trim to a full board width - AS SHOWN ABOVE

  • From an Installation point of view I would Only Use pre grooved Decking
  • When I starting the decking - I Start from  the wall and work out some will work the opposite.
  • I Used the Deck-Max tool DM 110 as it will CounterBore the perfect hole in  diameter and depth then use the Deck-Max screw & Plug - it fits perfectly into the prepared hole leaving approx.. 1 mm proud and you then trim the top with a wide sharp chisel. [after you have glued and allowed to cure - 1 day]

SCREWS

  • The thing NOT TO DO – is use electric drills with no torque or clutch settings and do not recommend rattle guns. 9V to 14V cordless are perfect for the application – it was supprising how soft the fixing process is verces fixing through hardwood decking as I have in the past.
  • When I used the 316 SS screws on a job it was noticeable that by choosing 316 grade stainless over mid grade stainless like 302 & 304 was the best descision as the mid grade stainless is cheaper [not much] but the steel is softer and not all the cheap screws have type 17 tip for self drilling, whereas the Deck-Max screws all have the self drilling design.
  • The tension on the screw from fixing to finish is a soft fix - you need to run some tests to get feel for the tension required and set the drill accordingly.
  • e.g. when using a cordless screw gun use the torque setting 10 to 12 depending on your tools on a 14.4 V Makitas or similar. If using an electric drill [only with a clutch on it] - back of the speed and use your visual and feel to establish settings or adjustments required.
  1. Wood screw is suited to fixing into any wood joists including A.C.Q. & C.C.A. treated pine.
  2. Self Drilling Metal screw is suited to fixing into metal floor joists up to 3mm wall thickness. Note: Some steel is high tensile and may require a pilot hole - use the DM 106 combo kit.
  3. 316 Stainless Steel screw is suited to fixing into any wood joists including A.C.Q. & C.C.A. treated pine. 316 is marine grade steel - ideal for salt pools areas, ocean front and docks.

NOTE: when fixing the screws into hard and old hardwood go up one size in the drill bit to a 4mm size this will reduce the drive torque and still provide correct fixing.

STEP RISES & STEP TREADS

  • Measure a full board and the gap then build to suit finished height.

Step Treads

  • Measure out your decking boards to fit to full board sizes or maybe SEE MORE>>

ADHESIVE

STARTING & FINISHING YOUR DECK

How do I fix the first board and the last board? When starting the decking

  • Start from the wall and work out.

 

Getting Started

  • Set the first board as your straight edge.
  • First fix the screw that comes in the DM 114 plug kit and – do not go too tight as you can split the timber – Insert the SEE MORE>>

When Finishing

  • When finishing - you may need to SEE MORE>> trim off the pre groove off the edge OR when ordering your timber ask for some to be grooved one side only. [some companies can do this for you].

As shown in the photo below it is a good idea to run the joists long so you can simply trim them to a full board. 

USING THE DECK-MAX QUICK SET CLAMPS 

  • Hold boards with the use of specifically design for decking – Newest release
  • It is an ideal tool to retain the board down onto the joist while you are fitting the screw & biscuit. Normally use 2 to 3 x DM 600 clamp along with 2 x 450mm clamps this is better than  an extra man. Ho Ho!
  • This also stops the board from rising when pulling the boards in to your set gap prior to fixing the screw.
DM 600mm Decking Clamp DM 450mm Decking Clamp

FIXING ONTO CONCRETE

  • Be sure all water can escape from deck area - you may require some drainage pits installed. Run the hose on the area first and this will soon tell you what is required.
Before After

 

READY RECONER FOR ESTIMATES - GO TO>>

Build your estimates in multiples of 5 square metre packs… 

3 to 5 m2 = 1 x Kit No. 5 

7 to 10 m2 = 1 x Kit No. 10

12 to 15 m2 = 1 x Kit No. 5 Plus 1 x Kit No. 10

17 to 20 m2 = 2 x Kit No. 10

22 to 25 m2 = 1 x Kit No. 5 Plus 2 x Kit No. 10

26 to 30 m2 = 1 x Kit No. 30

  • These quantities’ will vary based on – Deck Design, Board size, Joist centres.
  • When tendering always overstate your quantities and add extras like adhesive, wooden plug kits and the Deck-max tools to be sure you have everything covered.
  • Just call Deck-Max for your check list as they have the best range of products for all deckin g solutions.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT BISCUIT GO TO>>

The "Original Biscuit "

  • Suitable for cutting groove with biscuit cutter
  • Can be pre grooved
  • The original biscuit is perfect for decking boards that are not or cannot get pre grooved.
  • The cut dimensions off the bottom of the board are the same for any thickness of decking.
"Original Biscuit" "Pro Biscuit"

The "Pro Biscuit"

  • Can only be used with pre grooved decking. 
  • groove cannot be cut with a biscuit cutter
  • This biscuit has become The No. 1 Choice of Trade customers who can access this patented biscuit and special profile that can only be done by Deck-Max licensed timber profilers.
  • Unique to Deck-Max  - the joiner biscuit DM J10
  • This joiner biscuit is unique to Deck-max and is simply the strongest joining mechanism that has being used for 30 odd years.
  • Prepared with a 4 mm biscuit cutter or Lamello cutter

ACCESS PANELS

Access Panels can be constructed in many styles depending on the tradsperson and especially the details from Architects and designers. Often the contractor will then have to work out how to build it and get the look they were after. This will  SEE MORE>>

THE CONTRACTORS STORY.....

  • When we speak to the installers we listen and have now understood their thoughts. The conclusion of listening to the contractors story is spread over a few steps.

Their experience…………..

  • Step # 1- They are Not sure about the system but really like the look, by the end of the job they understand the process.

            HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

            HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE

  • Step # 2 - They now understand and get up to speed very quickly – this then sets up SEE MORE>> clearly the number of square meters installed in one day AND WHAT THE COST WAS.
  • Step # 3 - They understand the real savings and what actual time it takes so the tender is accurate and fair. Not GUESSING.
  • Step # 4 - After they have done a job they decide that they will only use Deck-Max and most definitely purchase the pre grooved decking.

The Deck-Max™ system will end up being faster for the trade person. By using the Deck-Max™ system you use a lot less fixings compared to nails or screws.

Like all changes – from the old way to the new way – It takes a little bit to adjust to a new system and to have all the right tools and to be well organized with good systems.

 

Proud to be an ATFA Member

 

 

Proud to be a member of Australian Timber Flooring Association