TerraSmart® Aluminium Decking System

If you install aluminium decking in both an arctic tundra and a tropical paradise, you will experience different overall temperatures, and the maximum temperature the boards will achieve will naturally be different.

The properties of the material, such as specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity, contribute directly to its reaction to heat energy. The profile and the colour will also make an impact on how the board will react.

It is always good to compare the performance of a material in relation to another one. Let’s take the properties of Aluminium 6063-T6, often used in decking boards and compare it to Oak, which is a popular type of wood for decking in the UK.

The table on this page shows that it takes a lot less energy to heat aluminium than it does Oak, but it takes a lot more energy to cool Oak as opposed to aluminium. As aluminium has high thermal conductivity, heat is spread around the material more easily and across all areas, allowing more opportunities to cool the material. Oak has a much lower thermal conductivity, meaning that heat energy will be concentrated longer in the same spot.

The short answer is yes!

To mitigate the effects of wind uplift, we design, manufacture, and supply systems for balconies and terraces fitted with clever mechanical fixings to ensure the entire system is ‘clamped’ securely in place.

There are a number of consequences of wind uplift to be considered.

The maximum spacing between decking joists is a critical factor in ensuring a deck’s structural integrity, long-term stability and durability.

The optimal spacing between decking joists depends on several factors. These include the type of decking material, the anticipated load, and local building regulations.

For traditional decking materials, such as timber or composite boards, a typical maximum joist spacing of 16 inches (40.6 cm) on-centre is common. On-centre refers to the practice of measuring from the centre of one joist to the centre of the next. This spacing ensures adequate support and minimises the risk of sagging or bouncing between the joists. In some cases, you can reduce the spacing to 12 inches (30.5 cm) on-centre. This is more common for thicker or heavier decking materials and environments where the deck is expected to experience significant loads.

On the other hand, thinner or lighter decking materials, such as PVC or aluminium, may allow for wider joist spacing. In such cases, you can increase the spacing to 24 inches (61 cm) on-centre, or even higher. With premium RYNO aluminium decking joists for waterproofed balconies, terraces and roofs, the maximum spacing permitted is 80 cm or 31 inches.

Spacing between decking joists is a crucial aspect of deck construction. While general guidelines for materials like timber suggest a spacing of 16 inches (40.6 cm) on-centre, the reality is that spacing will usually depend on joist materials, manufacturers’ guidelines and local building regulations.