Deck-Max™ is a secret fixing for the fastening of timber decking (and composite materials) with new innovation that will also enter the screening market, interior and exterior plus ceiling linings – all new in 2010.

The materials chosen for Deck-Max™ are of the finest quality and tested to perform under the rigors of the exterior life it will have….from 50 degrees in Dubai to the high humidity of Singapore and the extreme variable conditions of Australia.

• Deck-Max™ is UV stable – this ensures that the biscuit material will not fail under our extreme sun conditions – and is supported with the Deck-Max™ 7 Year builders warranty.
• Deck-Max™ is chemical resistant – this allows you to use the oxalic acid for the cleaning of timber decking without fear.
• Strength and durability – Deck-Max™ complete decking solutions are at least 4 times stronger than traditional fixings and 5 to 6 times stronger than some competitive secret fix systems. Ask them for their ISO test results for their "Withdrawal Test" and then compare it to Deck-Max™ - Australian owned and Australian made biscuit.
• Safety – timber decks are safer as you will have no nails sticking up from the surface that have or will cut feet and hurt kids badly over time.
• Best Materials – when the materials were chosen for the manufacturer of Deck-Max™, cost was not in the brief. The most important task was to work as per the Deck-Max™ promise: a tough and durable long life supported by our 7 year builders warranty.
• Accessories – when it comes to timber decking you need the right tools to do a good job. We listened and developed tools and components that make the job both easy and affordable.

GO TO OUR PRODUCTS PAGE.. Decking Clamps, CounterBore tool, Wooden Plug & Screw Kits, Long Shank square drive bits, CounterSink Tool, spare drill bits.

Notes on Cupping

The Old Way: Traditionally, the timber decking surface fix would come in 20 to 30mm from the edge of the board. Therefore, that 20 to 30mm is completely unsupported and will cup.

The New Way: When Deck-Max™ complete decking solutions are used and the timber decking is prepared in accordance with the specifications, cupping is minimised or eliminated. Cupping is one of the worst effects of what poor fixing will do, and it's exactly what we get when we do things the old way.

Cupping will occur with poor quality timber and in particular where insufficient air flow, different moisture content from the underside of the decking board verses the surface – Air flow must be considered for both under and over the deck.

Cupping is minimised by using Deck-Max™ as a fixing which retains the board on the outside and applying downward pressure to a spot that is not retained by surface fix screws or nails.

Full control of cupping is based on the selection of kiln dried timber to a local ambient moisture content. Timbers of larger size should be allowed extra space in the gap to facilitate moisture uptake and timber drying out (expansion and contraction).

Use packers as in tiling to set your desired space between the decking boards. With Deck-Max™ complete decking solutions, you can set a gap from 3mm up to 6mm gap.

• Do not fit damaged boards
• Do not fit warped boards

It is recommended that an exterior construction adhesive is laid on the joist prior to fixing the board – exterior grade polyurethane adhesive. (Must be certified for this application by manufacturer). Bostik Ultra set is recommended by manufacturer laid up with 90% cover. Do not lay glue to wet joists.

This process is part of the Deck-Max™ proprietary complete decking solutions system.

Lay 5mm to 10mm bead of adhesive over top of joist in a zig zag cross over pattern or a thick bead down the centre to achieve a minimum 90% cover. After the board is fixed, you should end up with a small bead visible from the underside of the decking board on both sides.

Adhesive available from Deck-Max™ and is included in the packaged kit's.

Movement in Timber Decking Floors

Timber is a natural product that responds to changes in weather conditions. During periods of high humidity, timber decking will absorb moisture from the air causing it to swell or increase in size. Conversely, during drier times when humidities are low, timber decking will shrink reducing in size.

Unless timber is placed in a permanently controlled environment, it will always move in response to changing environmental conditions. Gaps between boards can be expected to vary as the floor accommodates seasonal changes. Accordingly, in such conditions a 'day one condition' cannot be expected to last. Therefore, a maintenance program must be implemented. It is as important to note that while finishes will not prevent movement of timber they will help to slow the movement.

Both the overall movement and rate of movement of timber vary greatly depending on the timber species and cutting pattern of individual boards. Generally, softwoods such as Hoop Pine will move more quickly than the hardwoods. Small moisture content variations at the time of installation will also cause variation in board dimensions as the timber loses or gains moisture depending on the current equilibrium moisture content. Take note: the various State Timber Advisory Services may be contacted for further advice

References: This article is a joint publication of The Timber Research & Development, Advisory Council of Queensland

Adhesive

Bostik ULTRASET SF is a polyurethane adhesive. This item will provide an acoustic membrane that reduces moisture transfer from the joist to the decking board when the adhesive is laid between the joists and the timber decking boards. Ultraset SF remains flexible outdoors.

*By applying this product it will eliminate squeaky or rattley boards as wood will shrink and move over the life of the deck.

• ULTRASET remains flexible
• This will eliminate squeaky or rattly boards.
• Provides a secondary fixing
• Available in two styles 300ml cartridge & 600ml sausage.
• Be sure top of joists are dry. Do not apply to on wet or moist joists.
• Coverage – allow approx. one 300ml cartridge per 6 sq.m. of decking.
• Application – lay up a 5mm to 10mm bead (90% coverage) for a visual reference of correct application - when the board is fixed you should have a small bead coming out both (under) sides of the joist.

Biscuit Choice

"Pro Biscuit"	"Original Biscuit"

The Deck-Max™ "Original" Biscuit

• Suitable for cutting groove with biscuit cutter - Boards can be pre-grooved.
• The original biscuit is perfect for timber decking boards that are not or cannot get pre-grooved. Prepared with a 4 mm biscuit cutter or Lamello cutter.
• The cut dimensions off the bottom of the board are the same for any thickness of timber decking. See Deck-Max™complete decking solutions specifications sheet for details of profile.

Fast Fix Deck-Max™ "Pro" Biscuit

• Can only be used with pre-grooved timber decking - groove cannot be cut with a biscuit cutter or domestic profiling.
• Deck-Max™ Pro Biscuit has now become The No. 1 choice of customers who can access this patented special profile that can only be done by Deck-Max™ licensed timber decking profilers.
• Joiner Biscuit Unique to Deck-Max™.

This photo below highlights the joiner being used on framing boards and on mitred corners.		NOTE: The red colour joiner in the photo below is only to highlight the application - All joiners are actually black.

Construction

The substructure of the deck is as per your engineer's specification. Joists are normally set at between 300 mm to 450 mm centers, standard in most areas is 450 mm. When the deck exceeds 1200 mm off ground cross braces on posts are recommended; check building codes for confirmation.

Always use the building standards and building codes for Construction, moisture content, tolerances and timber grades for outdoor decking guidelines.

Go to Installation Information for starting and finishing when using Deck-Max™.

End Matching:

The Deck Max propriety end match system has a maximum joist spacing is 450mm.

You will have two options of board preparation:

Ask your timber decking supplier to pre groove both sides of the board and ask Deck-Max™ for specifications.

• Or prepare the grooves manually to each board with a biscuit cutter.

The Deck-Max™ biscuit fits into a lateral cut to each board and is screw fixed to each joist. The Deck-Max™ biscuit provides a fixed minimum 3mm spacing for the boards, which can vary out to 6mm by simply using a spacer to match your preferred gap.

• Suitable board sizes vary from 70mm wide up to 140mm wide.
• Thickness of bard - 19mm up to 25mm thick

Fixing the Deck-Max™ Complete Decking Solutions Over Concrete

• Pack Batten off concrete so the batten does not absorb moisture.
• Be sure all water can escape from covered deck area - you may require some drainage pits installed.
• Build access panels to all service points including the drainage points.
• Using Quick Set Floor Clamps – DM 450 & DM 600. These are ideal tools to retain the board down onto the joist and pulling the boards together, leaving your hands free to set and fix the screw & biscuit.
• This also stops the board from rising when pulling the boards in to your set gap prior to fixing the screw.

Get the Right Screws as Part of Deck-Max™ Complete Decking Solutions

No. 2 Square Drive with Black head	No. 2 Square Drive with Black head	No. 2 Square Drive with Black Head

Our standard range of screws are designed to self drill into three floor joist types – like all application of construction the final decisions are made on the job like do I need to run a pilot hole – the answer is on the job – What is the hardness of the substructure that I am fixing into – Note – Deck-Max™ include free of charge a 100mm x 3mm drill bit for this purpose.

The screw is fixed through the biscuit into the top of the floor joist, and the biscuit sits between the decking boards. Screws should be tightened so screw head is recessed or flush with biscuit rebate and the leg of the biscuit is sitting on the joist. Do not over tighten. This involves different steps depending on your choice of biscuit. (read installation instruction for details for each biscuit type).

• Maintain pressure while fixing screw so you do not bush the square drive / recess.
• Do not fix screw at high speed.
• Fix screw with a light torque setting on a cordless drill. Check to suit before commencing.
• Should you find the joist material too hard – run a pilot hole to suit the screw (diameter & depth).
• If you do not pre-drill when required, the screw can be overstressed and can bend or break under pressure. Pre-drilling also minimises splitting of the substructure joists.
• When preparing a pilot hole for the biscuit insert the biscuit hold in position then drill though the eye of the biscuit at the correct angle.
  • Timber Screw Type 17 tip – class 3 corrosion rated.
  • 316 Stainless Type 17 tip – class 4 corrosion rated Marine Grade.
  • Metal Self-Drilling tip – class 3 corrosion rated – max wall thickness is 2mm.
• The screw has a square drive recess for the most positive drive; you must retain pressure with the drill while driving so as to avoid any burring or bushing.

Special Stainless Steel Screw fix - A pilot hole [using a long series drill bit] must be drilled at a slight angle back toward the previous board and positioned through the eye of the biscuit when held in final position (say 10 degrees angle) prior to fixing the screw in position. If you do not pre drill, the screw may be over stressed and can bend or break under heat and pressure. Pre drilling also minimises splitting of the sub structure joists. Note: Follow the angle of the pre-drilled hole when fixing the screw.

• In some case self drilling screws may encounter extreme hardness of the joist material. If so, run pilot holes as required.
• Fixing into hardwood joists pre-drill with 4mm long series drill bit – run a test prior to commencing.
• Fixing into treated pine joists pre-drill with 1/8" long series drill bit – SEE MORE>> trade tips

Fixing Into Steel Joists

Some steel used in construction will exceed the normal tensile rating of a "C" section and or wall thickness over 2mm.

When applying to steel galvanised floor joists – prepare the surface of the joist with N40 Primer [Bostik]. See manufacturers specifications.

Check with manufacturer of Deck-Max™ prior to choosing a compatible metal joist material.

All butt joints should have an exterior water proofing product glue wiped over each face prior to fixing. All joints must have an exterior construction adhesive inserted to each kerf / lateral cut, prior to inserting the butt joint biscuit [part ref. DM-J10] Butt joints should always be set on joists

Clean off excess glue as soon as the joint is closed up. Bostik do have a special wipe available for this purpose.

You should be sure to choose only quality kiln dried hardwood boards and check timber specifications prior to any fixing. If the timber you choose is going to shrink by more than the standard allowed then an alternative fixing should be chosen.

Check the recommended moisture content average for your geographic area.

You must obtain a certificate of moisture content from supplier & certificate of proof that the boards are kiln dried from supplier

	Go to metal joist installation instructions.

COVERAGE

These estimates in the kits are approximate coverage only and all quantities are based on the design of the area and the shape - these will vary the coverage and estimates of cover. Coverage assumptions  - are based on the joists set @ 450 mm centres and using from 90mm up to 140mm wide decking boards. Each pack of Deck-Max™ will show coverage per pack so you can estimate for your bill of quantities.

• e.g. a Kit No. 10 will cover from 8 to 12 square metres in area.

• Always check with Deck-Max to be sure your estimates are close to final quanitities, if you are tendering as a contractor I would reccomend you take the lower side of each coverage estimate to be sure of your budget.

• If you are happy to buy base quantity and buy a few to finish it is ideal to buy close to estimate as you can always buy a Kit No. 5 to finish - this is the smallest Kit quantity you can buy.

TIMBER

• Boards up to a maximum size 140 mm wide and 25 mm thick and of specific kiln dried species to meet the industry standards are suitable for the Deck-Max™ biscuit fixing.

• When using boards under 90 mm wide – check with manufacturer for specification prior to purchase.

• This fixing can also be used in the fixing of some specific synthetic composite decking boards / materials – check with Deck-Max™ for details.

• A Kerf – is a lateral cut to the side of the decking board made by using a biscuit cutter.

MAINTENANCE

• A decking oil treatment and maintenance program is essential and should be applied and monitored for the preservation of the decking.

• Deck coatings – refer to the manufacturers specifications for their each product.

• Follow all manufacturers' specification and recommendations.

TEST RESULTS

Testing is an ongoing feature of the Deck-Max™ philosophy to ensure the product will meet all expectations and exceed them when it come to the choice of any of the Deck-Max™ products.

DO NOT ACCEPT LESSER QUALITY THAN Deck-Max™ AND BE SURE YOU ARE BUYING ORIGINAL Deck-Max™ COMPLETE DECKING SOLUTIONS PRODUCTS.

**Specifications are updated on a regular basis. All changes take precedence over previous specifications.