Installing Composite Decking may seem challenging, but with CDECK the process is quick, simple, and efficient. In this official guide, learn how to install Composite Decking correctly, with clear instructions and step-by-step videos.
Thanks to the unique and patented Quick-Fix fastening system, installation can be up to three times faster than with traditional systems, using just one screw per board.
Anyone with some DIY experience and the right tools can install CDECK Composite Decking by following our instructions and step-by-step videos.
On this page, we explain how to install CDECK Composite Decking, the necessary tools, types of installation, how to lay Composite Decking on the ground, and how to maintain your deck.
What is CDECK Composite Decking?
CDECK is an innovative Composite Decking manufactured in Portugal, ideal for outdoor flooring such as terraces, balconies, outdoor seating areas, gardens, walkways, and pool areas.
It combines recycled wood fibers and polymers, offering the natural wood aesthetic with the durability and low maintenance of composite materials.
- Elegant and modern design
- Quality and durability (up to 25-year warranty)
- Installation up to 3× faster – patented Quick-Fix system
- Comfortable and safe – slip-resistant, splinter-free, and screw-free
- Versatility – gardens, pools, terraces, balconies, outdoor seating areas…
- Low maintenance – easy to clean
The Quick-Fix Fastening System
It is a click-in system that uses just one screw per board, making installation much faster.
It includes various types of clips for different situations, including the Quick-Fix Pro, a clip that allows you to open, remove, and reposition individual boards — ideal for accessing a drain, an inspection box, or simply for a deeper cleaning.
- Wide range of profiles and accessories, providing solutions for almost any situation
- Saves installation time (up to 3× faster)
- Only 1 screw per board
- Individual board access (thanks to the Quick-Fix Pro Intermediate Clip, for easy access and maintenance)
- PVC or aluminum joists, ensuring high stability and durability
- Floating structure, allowing the deck to adapt to dimensional changes and ensuring long-term dimensional stability
Types of Composite Decking Installation
CDECK can be installed on all types of surfaces.
Before starting, it is essential to identify the type of base where the deck will be laid.
Type 1 – Regular Base (Fixed with Screws)
Installation on a leveled base, that can be drilled to fix with screws and plugs, and where the Quick-Fix joists are supported along their entire length.
Type 2 – Irregular Base (Fixed with Screws)
Installation on an irregular base, that can be drilled to fix with screws and plugs, and where the Quick-Fix joists cannot be supported along their entire length.
Type 3 – Elevated Installation and/or where fixation with screws is not possible
Installation on a base where drilling is not possible or where it is necessary to raise the height of the flooring. It can be applied over protective membranes, compacted ground, etc
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What Tools Are Needed to Install Composite Decking?
To install your CDECK Composite Decking, you will need:
- CTOOL;
- Rubber mallet;
- Drill;
- Screwdriver;
- Circular saw (with a wood-cutting blade);
- Measuring tape;
- Updated CDECK Technical Data Sheet.
How to Install CDECK Composite Decking
Before starting the installation of CDECK Composite Decking, make sure you are following the most recent Technical Data Sheet and read it thoroughly.
With our explanatory videos, you will learn how to install your CDECK deck quickly, easily, and efficiently.
How to Install Quick-Fix Joists
Installing the Quick-Fix joists is the first step in assembling the CDECK Composite Decking.
These joists form the structural base of the deck, ensuring board stability, proper ventilation, water drainage, and preventing direct contact with the ground.
The type of installation varies depending on the intended use:
- Residential: Ideal for private areas with moderate traffic (gardens, balconies, terraces, or pool areas in homes).
- Commercial: Recommended for public or high-traffic spaces (outdoor seating areas, walkways, pools in hotels, and tourist developments).
How to Install Boards
With the Quick-Fix joists installed, you can proceed to lay the CDECK boards.
We offer two distinct collections:
- CDECK Original: hollow and solid boards with an elegant and timeless designl;
- CDECK WUUDE: hollow boards with a unique and innovative design, featuring random color variations for an organic and natural finish.
Installation is quick and easy, thanks to the patented Quick-Fix system, which uses just one screw per board.
How to Install Steps
In some projects, it may be necessary to create stairs or elevated platforms.
The CDECK step piece ensures perfect transitions and a continuous, harmonious finish.
How to Apply Finishing Pieces
The Quick-Fix system includes accessories that ensure a perfect finish for your deck.
You can use:
- Closing boards (available in two sizes)
- Caps (specifically for hollow boards)
Removal and Reinstallation of Boards with Quick-Fix Pro Intermediate Clip
With the Quick-Fix Pro Intermediate Clip, it is possible to remove and reinstall boards quickly and easily, allowing access to the underside of the deck for maintenance, cleaning, or repairs — without the need to dismantle the entire structure.
How to Install Decking on Soil
Thanks to the Quick-Fix system, it is possible to install the deck directly on the soil in a simple, efficient, and construction-free way.
In this case, Type 3 installation is used — a cross-structured system of aluminum tubes and Joistsplaced directly on the soil, with no drilling required. The height can be adjusted using CDECK plots, ensuring a level deck at the desired height.
How to Maintain Composite Decking
CDECK decking is made from high-quality raw materials and requires minimal maintenance.
However, like any other outdoor flooring, it should be cleaned regularly to preserve its appearance, quality, and durability over the years.
Cleaning Recommendations:
- Perform periodic cleaning with water, a mild detergent, and a soft brush.
- Use a pressure washer from about 30 cm away, with a maximum pressure of 150 bar and the nozzle set to a wide spray.
- Always wash along the length of the boards to preserve the material’s integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Installation
The CDECK fastening system is unique and patented, offering ease of both installation and removal because it is a click-in system that uses only one screw per board.
It includes various types of clips, such as the Quick-Fix Pro, which allows individual boards to be lifted for access to drains, inspection boxes, or deep cleaning.
Additionally, the system allows the deck to float, providing better adaptation to dimensional changes and greater long-term stability.
PVC or aluminum joists ensure greater durability because, in most cases, the joists are in direct contact with the ground, making them more exposed to moisture, biological agents, etc.
Moreover, these areas are almost inaccessible for treatment or maintenance over time, so it is essential to use materials that provide stability and durability without maintenance, ensuring the longevity of the entire system.
No. The boards should never be installed directly on the soil.
A proper air gap between the boards and the ground must be maintained, ensured by the Quick-Fix joists.
No. The CDECK joists must be securely fixed to the ground or other profiles that ensure a stable structure, as specified in the Technical Data Sheet.
Yes, it is possible as long as a secured structure is used as indicated in the Technical Data Sheet, ensuring soil compaction in support areas and maintaining the lower air gap unobstructed, for example, with a geotextile membrane.
No. It is crucial to respect the spacing between boards, as temperature and humidity variations cause dimensional changes. Without these gaps, the deck may warp, lift, or crack, and due to CDECK’s high mechanical performance, surrounding materials, including walls, could also be affected.
No. CDECK is designed and tested as a complete system, with each component serving a specific purpose.
To ensure long-term durability and stability, it must be installed only with CDECK accessories and according to the Technical Data Sheet instructions.
Yes. Anyone with some DIY experience and the right tools can install CDECK decking.
Installation is simple, and IHT provides a complete technical data sheet and online videos explaining the entire step-by-step process.
If the board is at the deck’s edge, simply remove the end clips and lift the board normally.
If the board is in the center and has no intermediate Pro clips, the intermediate clips must be cut with an angle grinder, and then the board can be reinstalled using intermediate Pro clips.
Maintenance involves periodic cleaning to keep the deck looking its best and prevent permanent residue buildup.
For detailed guidance and complete cleaning tips, see our article: How to Clean Composite Decking?
CDECK Original:Act quickly to prevent absorption into the wood fibers. Wash the boards with water, a non-abrasive degreaser, and a soft brush, testing first in a discreet area. If the stain persists, gently scrub with a steel brush or sandpaper along the boards. Slight color differences may occur, but the tone will even out over time.
CDECK WUUDE:Wash the boards with water, a non-abrasive degreaser, and a soft brush. Always test the product on a discreet area before applying it to the affected spot.
Wash the boards with water, a descaling product, and a soft brush. We recommend testing a small amount on a discreet area before applying it to the affected spot to ensure it is safe to use.
Have Questions?
For more information, recommendations, or specific needs not covered in theCDECK Technical Data Sheet, contact IHT.