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Composite Decking Why should I use composite decking? How do I clean it? Will Yakima decking decay? What span length can we do with Yakima? How can I cut and nail it? Do I need special tools? What type of fasteners should be used? Is Yakima composite flooring fire resistant? Can I obtain a sample of the decking? What colors and styles do you have? How can I purchase Yakima decking? How accurate are the sizes? How much expansion or contraction should I allow for? Will my color fade? Can I paint my deck in the future if I want to change the color? How long will my deck last? What are my delivery options?
General Questions Where can I get further information on deck building? Does BuildDirect have deck plans? What volumes can I purchase with a 40' container? Can I fit more into a container? What do I need to receive a container?
Q. Why should I use composite decking? A. Yakima 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. Return to Top
Q. How do I clean it? A. You can clean your Yakima 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. Return to Top
Q. Will Yakima decking decay? A. The plastic encapsulates the wood fiber protecting it from water and the elements that can swell or rot natural wood decking. Yakima comes with a 10-year limited warranty against decay and water damage. Return to Top
Q. What span length can we do with Yakima? 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. Return to Top
Q. How can I cut and nail it? A. Yakima 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. Return to Top
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 Yakima deck. Our installation instructions have a short list of simple tools that will help. Return to Top
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. Return to Top
Q. Is Yakima composite flooring fire resistant? A. Yakima 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. Return to Top
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. Return to Top
Q. What colors and styles do you have? A. Our Yakima 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. Return to Top
Q. How can I purchase Yakima 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. Return to Top
Q. How accurate are the sizes? A. Extrusion technology produces a very accurate Yakima 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”). Return to Top
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. Return to Top
Q. Will my color fade? A. Yakima decking has UV protectors which will reduce the fading effect, however with all things, the color will fade somewhat over time. Return to Top
Q. Can I paint my deck in the future if I want to change the color? A. We do not recommend painting your Yakima 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. Yakima composite decking is impregnated with a dye which will last the life of the deck. Return to Top
Q. How long will my deck last? A. Your Yakima 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. Return to Top
Q. What are my delivery options? A. We can do the following:
In all the options above, please make note of the weights and dimensions of the product you are considering for your own reference. Return to Top
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. Return to Top
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. Return to Top
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
Yakima - 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
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
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. Return to Top
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. Return to Top