How much can composite decking expand or contract?

The thermal expansion and contraction of composite deck boards are a natural consequence of fluctuating temperatures. Therefore, the board ends should never be put closely together. So, how much shrinkage can composite decking endure? This depends on the temperature of the air at the time of installation.

When you install an outdoor sundeck. Among the factors to consider are the expansion and contraction of the materials. However, you might be wondering if composite decking expands and contracts. What causes materials to behave in this manner? And why should you be aware of these details?

What are the materials for decking extending and contracting?

The expansion and contraction of outdoor decking boards should be considered while constructing a deck. Traditional hardwood decking is the most susceptible to these alterations. Other surface materials expand and compress as well. Therefore, it is necessary to leave some gat when installing them to allow for expansion.

Humidity is a significant contributor to this phenomenon. When wooden boards are exposed to high levels of humidity, they absorb moisture. And as a result, the wood expands. It also occurs when the deck boards are exposed to moist conditions. Conversely, a lack of moisture causes hardwood boards to compress. Dry temperatures cause decking materials to shrink more frequently.

Since composites, or wood-plastic composites to be accurate, contain wood, the question is whether they expand and contract.

Are composite decking boards expandable?

For the majority of composite decking, there is negligible width-to-width expansion and contraction. However, the expansion and contraction of composite decking boards occur along their length. If produced appropriately, a high-quality composite decking should have relatively little shrinking.

The thermal expansion and contraction of composite deck boards are a natural consequence of fluctuating temperatures. Therefore, the board ends should never be put closely together. Install a fastener in the center of each board length to prevent movement during thermal expansion and contraction.

Does the COOWIN composite decking shrink? As it warms and cools, composite decking tends to expand and contract along the length of the boards. The correct spacing permits some movement without buckling.

How significantly does COOWIN WPC decking contract and expand? It is common knowledge that composite decking contracts and expands along its length, not its width. Or at the very least slightly along the width. Carpenters with experience will see that this is the exact reverse of what natural wood does. Along its length, wood grows by as little as 2%, yet it might expand by 6-8% across its breadth.

There are numerous reasons that account for the expansion and contraction of composite boards. The reasons include installation simplicity, safety, and deck spacing.

Facilitates Installation

When at their natural size, composites are very manageable. The composite decking planks expand and become flexible as the temperature rises. This modification can complicate the cutting and installation processes. You may not be able to correctly install the boards due to their contraction.

For regions that experience severe temperature fluctuations. We recommend surface fasteners for mounting your deck planks. Initially, check that the deck boards are properly aligned. Install a fastener in the center of each board length to prevent movement during thermal expansion and contraction.

What is the value of this information? When installing composites, it is better to do so in the early morning. When the temperature becomes too high, it is advisable to call it a day and resume tomorrow.

Security Reasons

Safety is another reason to be worried about the expansion and contraction of the exterior boards, particularly when utilizing nails and screws. When the boards compress and expand, there is a possibility that the nails and screws will rise again. Not only can this damage the deck, but it also poses a safety risk.

How will this knowledge be useful? When selecting a composite, grooved decking boards may be desirable. The surface of these boards does not require drilling or nailing. Instead, they utilize clips and fasteners to hold the boards in place. Alternatively, if you are still utilizing ungrooved boards, you must ensure that the nails and screws are in place to prevent accidents.

Appropriate Deck Plank Spacing

Deck board spacing is perhaps the most significant reason you should be familiar with contraction and expansion. Deck board spacing refers to the distance between individual boards.

Since composite decking materials are capable of expansion and contraction, Therefore, putting them too close can result in friction between the boards. Conversely, putting them too far apart can result in large gaps when the boards expand. What should you do then?

In general, you should leave 5-8 mm between each board. Additionally, you must consider your locality. If you reside in a region with a warm climate, the boards are more prone to contract. In this instance, you should narrow the gap slightly. On the other hand, if you live in a constantly rainy and humid environment, you may wish to increase the distance between your decking boards.