Decking FAQs
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When you take your first look at your new Millboard decking boards, you will be amazed at the attention to detail, craftsmanship, and quality before you. You'll notice how lightweight yet durable the boards are, ready for immediate use.
There are a few things we advise users to be aware of before diving in and building that dream project:
+ A release agent will be present on the surface of the boards when you take delivery of them, which may give a slightly shiny effect. This release agent has been applied so that the finished board can easily be removed from our moulds and will disperse in the weeks following installation.
+ Like wood, no two Millboard decking boards are the same colour, with the subtle differences giving the most natural appearance. This is to give your decking all the good looks of a timber deck, but all the structural benefits of a composite deck.
+ Our boards are moulded under extreme pressure and not extruded, so some dimensional variance is expected. The tolerances that we permit for the size of our decking boards are limited to: Width: ± 3mm. Length: ± 5mm. Thickness: ± 2mm.
+ As with timber, it may be necessary to trim the ends of the boards during installation, in order to achieve a flush, clean finish. -
Millboard decking is extremely versatile and can be used in practically every outdoor space (subject to building control). Create decks, cladding, balconies, roof gardens, boardwalks, bridges, pontoons, seating, steps, planters and more. Millboard can be used as the decorative face for most outdoor designs, as long as it is fixed to a structural element.
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Millboard has been designed to replicate the natural variances of timber and we do not intend for the product to have identical shades. Buying all the Millboard decking you need at the same time should help to ensure that the colour is as consistent and we would always recommend laying out the boards before installation, to create an effective, subtle blend.
Samples are provided as a representation of the product and we would encourage customers to view full boards as part of a deck, in order to fully appreciate the product, prior to purchase.
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We go to extraordinary lengths to recreate the look of natural timber. As with all products exposed to the elements including sunlight, snow and rain, Millboard will naturally weather and tone down over time. Slight yellowing, especially in the deeper grain of our decking and cladding boards will be visible and loss of gloss is also expected and intentional. This is in order for us to replicate that natural piece of timber it has so carefully been moulded against along with our unique hand coloured process.
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As with all composite products, the surfaces of the boards tend to be hotter than timber when exposed to direct sunlight. Darker colours particularly will feel hotter and may be uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet. Under direct sunlight and high temperature, footwear may be necessary. Special caution should be taken when using decking in areas by heat/UV reflective glass, or around pools.
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As Millboard is made from a resin mineral composition it is stable in comparison to timber or composites based on timber. We recommend a 4mm gap between the sides of boards and a 1mm gap between the ends of boards, a 10mm gap should be left between the boards and any solid surface to aid drainage.
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Yes. Our Limited Warranty gives you peace of mind and we assure you that we will stand by the provisions, as laid down in the Limited Warranty document. We will issue you with either a Residential 25 year Limited Warranty or a Commercial 5 year Limited Warranty depending on the installation application of the boards and when it is registered within 90 days of the installation. To register your warranty click here.
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The Lastane® finish is resistant to food and drink stains and scratches, and everyday wear and tear. Sharp objects such as unprotected table or chair legs, spiked shoes, animal claws or metal planter bases can leave marks if dragged across the surface, so take care when moving these items around. The risk of marking from strong dyes and stains such as berries and animal droppings will be reduced if removed as soon as possible, this also applies to cooking oils or fats that come into contact with the surface of the Lastane®.
Please ensure to cover and protect the boards from any surrounding building or landscaping works, painting, rendering or cementitious dust that could contaminate or mark the surface, especially if the boards have been recently installed. Millboard will not be held responsible for issues arising from the boards being affected by foreign substances as this does not represent a fault with the product. We are able to recommend cleaning solutions that may be used to address contamination concerns or in situations where our guidance has not been followed.
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Following extensive trials, we recommend and supply Durafix® stainless steel screws, designed specifically for Millboard - this is a requirement of our limited warranty. There’s no need to pre-drill or countersink Millboard decking, and the unique Lastane® material coating flexes back over the screw-heads, leaving a minimal witness mark. This may be more visible on the lighter colours. Should some of the screws leave larger witness marks, these can be filled - please see our installation guide.
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As the boards are a moulded product we use a release agent in the manufacturing process so when the boards are first delivered this release agent is still on the surface. This may result in the boards looking like they have a shiny or waxed surface or have small particles of dirt and water puddling. This release agent will come off the surface within 6-8 weeks due to natural weathering. This process can be accelerated by cleaning the boards with warm soapy water and stiff brush after installation.
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When the boards are first laid they still have a release agent on the surface, this will come off within 6-8 weeks due to natural weathering and usage.
Surface water will always be more prevalent on Millboard due to it being made from a non-porous composition. Laying the boards to a slight fall away from a building will help to drain the water off the surface, however it will not drain all of the water off the boards. Adhere to relevant gapping on the sides and ends of the boards as per the installation guidance to assist drainage, the boards have a cupping tolerance of 2mm. Surface water can be taken off the surface of the boards with a brush or large squeegee, frost or ice can be removed by spreading white salt across the board surface. When the boards are first laid they still have a release agent on the surface, this will come off within 6-8 weeks due to natural weathering and usage. The release agent means that the water will form beads or globules over the surface of the boards, once this release agent has come off the water will dissipate across the board surface.
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There will always be a slight variance in the board’s dimensions due to the fact that we mould from natural oak, and due to the pressure of the moulding process. Despite this, we calibrate the boards to maintain as consistent a profile as possible. The manufacturing tolerances are: Width: ± 3mm. Length: ± 5mm. Thickness: ± 2mm. The dimensions of the Weathered Oak style may vary more between moulds due to the fact that they are moulded from timeworn oak with minimal changes to the dimensions. When working with the boards, packers may be required to create a flush finish between two boards.
Dimensional variation is also possible with our Our Envello® cladding boards and therefore the same manufacturing tolerances are applicable (Width: ± 3mm. Length: ± 5mm. Thickness: ± 2mm).
When using our Shadow Line product, in order to achieve straight and consistent 6mm gapping between boards, it may be necessary to use our Millboard Multi-Spacers during the installation process.
For further details please refer to our Envello® Cladding Installation and User Guidance in the Help & Advice section of our website.
