Frequently Asked Questions

Composite decking is a construction material for outdoor flooring — terraces, balconies, gardens, walkways, pool areas and outdoor dining areas. It combines wood fibres with polymers (plastics) to deliver the aesthetics of natural wood, with greater durability and lower maintenance requirements.

Not all composite decking is the same: differences in polymers, wood quality and manufacturing processes result in products with very distinct characteristics, durability levels and prices.

The price of composite decking varies according to several factors:

Product quality — there are very different products in terms of appearance, performance, durability and warranty, which is directly reflected in the price.

Type of installation — a straightforward installation with substructure profiles and clips has a very different cost to a self-supporting substructure with adjustable pedestals. Residential or commercial use also influences the final price.

Area complexity— a uniform rectangular area is very different from one with cut-outs, curved shapes, level changes or steps requiring finishing profiles or staircases.

For an estimate for your specific project, consulting a specialist is the best approach.

Yes. The Quick-Fix® fastening system uses only one screw per board, allowing installation up to three times faster* than traditional systems.

As réguas podem ser removidas individualmente, facilitando intervenções, limpeza ou manutenção. Para garantir o melhor desempenho e durabilidade, deve ser seguida a ficha técnica atualizada.

No. CDECK® composite decking maintenance is straightforward: periodic cleaningwith water and a neutral detergent is sufficient to preserve its appearance.

Unlike natural wood, it requires no varnishing, painting or regular treatments.

Wood acts as a functional filler in composite decking and is the most cost-effective component in the mix.

• High wood percentages: reduce cost, but increase moisture absorption, which may lead to minor dimensional variations.
• Low wood percentages: reduce moisture absorption, but may slightly affect mechanical performance.

Each manufacturer defines the ideal balance between quality and price. In the case of CDECK® composite decking, the ratio of wood to polymers has been optimised to ensure maximum durability and performance, prioritising the stability and resistance of the surface.

Yes. In addition to wood and polymer, decking boards include additivesthat make a significant difference in performance between various composite decking products. These include:

• Impact modifiers;
• UV filters;
• Antioxidants and stabilisers;
• Compatibilisers;
• Among others.

It is thanks to this type of formulation that CDECK®, for example, achieves mechanical resistance 2 to 3 times greater than the vast majority of competing composite surfaces.
CDECK Original® and CDECK WUUDE® Declaration of Performance.

There are several types of composite decking, which differ in board design and the material layers used.

In terms of board design:

• Hollow boards — with internal cavities to reduce weight;
• Solid boards — completely solid.

In terms of material layers:

• Single-mix decking — where boards are manufactured with a uniform material blend, such as CDECK Original;
• Partially capped decking— main core in a uniform blend with a top layer in a different material;
• Fully capped decking — main core in a uniform blend with an outer layer in one or more materials, such as CDECK WUUDE®.

Partially capped and fully capped boards were developed with two main objectives: to offer finishes closer to natural wood and, in many cases, to allow the use of lower-quality materials in the core to reduce costs.
In this comparison, CDECK Original® is used as the single-mix board reference and CDECK WUUDE® as the fully capped board reference.

* Slip resistance: Compliant — Class 3 (EN 15534)

In any of these categories, the materials used and manufacturing methods make an enormous difference to the final performance and durability.

Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the context. For this comparison, we consider CDECK® composite decking against high-quality ceramic options.

Both have advantages and disadvantages depending on the context. For this comparison, we consider CDECK® composite decking against high-quality exotic hardwoods such as Ipe or Teak — treated wooden decking such as pine falls into a completely different category.

CDECK® composite decking is a high-performance outdoor surface, the result of years of research into durable and resilient composite materials. Ideal for terraces, balconies, gardens, pools, outdoor dining areas and marinas, it works equally well in private and high-traffic public areas.

Manufactured in Portugal, it is available in two ranges:

• CDECK Original® – uniform aesthetics and proven durability.
• CDECK WUUDE®– natural, wood-inspired finish with a resistant polymer layer.

Both offer easy installation, low maintenance and high longevity, making them the ideal choice for superior quality outdoor flooring.

CDECK® composite decking is manufactured using PVC, a polymer that offers:

• High chemical and mechanical resistance;
• Good thermal stability;
• Protection against radiation and weather conditions;
• Versatility and long service life, used across construction, healthcare and other sectors.

Thanks to PVC, CDECK® decking delivers outstanding durability and performance in outdoor flooring.

CDECK® composite decking contains approximately 50% wood.

CDECK® decking varies by range:

• CDECK Original®: single-mix boards, available in hollow or solidversions.
• CDECK WUUDE®: fully capped hollowboards, with a single-mix core and top and bottom layers in special polymers for enhanced durability and aesthetics.

Yes. According to tests carried out, CDECK® composite decking achieves Class 3 slip resistance (EN 15534) — the class required for outdoor surfaces in areas that may be wet.

It is also free from knots and splinters, providing maximum comfort and safety even when walking barefoot.

Yes. CDECK® composite decking withstands the effects of salts and the chemical treatments commonly used in pools*.

*Resistance depends on the type and frequency of exposure; regular cleaning is recommended.

CDECK® composite decking has an expected service life of over 30 years*, maintaining its resistance, colour and dimensional stability over time.

*Durability depends on conditions of use, weather exposure and proper maintenance..

CDECK® composite decking, when installed and maintained in accordance with the technical data sheet guidelines, carries a warranty period of:

• 25 years for private residential installations;
• 10 years for commercialor publicly accessible installations.

Yes. CDECK® is produced using recycled wood fibres from certified, responsibly managed forests, and selected polymers, reducing waste and environmental impact. A sustainable, environmentally friendly solution for outdoor flooring.

Both ranges share the same quality foundation — warranty of up to 25 years, Quick-Fix® system, made-to-measure boards and a slip-resistant surface. The main differences are:

Yes, but in a controlled and predictable way. As it is a semi-natural product with exposed wood particles, the colour gradually evolves during the first few months after installation, taking on a lighter, more natural tone. Once stabilised, the colour and texture remain virtually unchanged.

Yes, like any outdoor surface, it heats up when exposed to solar radiation, with darker colours heating up more than lighter ones. Compared to wood, and in similar colours, CDECK Original® will heat up slightly more, but the difference is not very significant. Hollow boards tend to heat up less than solid ones, as they allow some internal ventilation.

CDECK Original® stands out through its combination of performance, durability and flexibility:

• Superior mechanical performance — highly resistant hollow boards; bending resistance (EN 310): 48 N/mm² (hollow) and 57 N/mm² (solid)*;
• Made-to-measure production — boards between 1.8 m and 3 m, adaptable to any project;
• Stability and durability — greater abrasion resistance and lower dimensional variation over time;
• Aesthetic variety — 6 available colours, with the option to combine hollow and solid boards in the same installation;
• Safety and comfort — microtextured, Class 3 slip-resistant surface (EN 15534), even in wet áreas;
• Quick-Fix® system— patented fastening with only one screw per board and individual opening with pro intermediate clip;
• Robust substructure — PVC or aluminium joists for high stability and durability;
• Full range of accessories — solutions for virtually any installation situation.

Compared to other composite decking products, the main trade-off is the typically higher initial investment.

*Performance data as per Declaration of Performance (DoP)

In the case of CDECK Original®, the hollow board is the right choice for the vast majority of situations — unlike many composite decking products on the market, the CDECK Original® hollow board offers mechanical resistance far superior to that of most solid boards from other manufacturers.

The CDECK Original® solid board is only justified in very particular situations:

• Extremely cold environments, with temperatures below -20°C;
• Environments with permanent extreme humidity, such as saunas or indoor pools;
• Areas with a high risk of total or partial submersion of the boards, or areas where water is likely to enter the cavities;
• Areas subject to high mechanical impacts, such as barrel or gas cylinder unloading áreas.

The hollow and solid boards of CDECK Original® share the same configuration, allowing them to be combined in the same installation.

The solid decking board has distinct characteristics that may influence the choice of surface:

Advantages:

• Greater mechanical resistance — better impact performance and lower dimensional variation with moisture, compared to the hollow board;
• Recommended for extreme conditions— intense cold (< -20°C), permanent extreme humidity, risk of submersion or high mechanical impacts.

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost — as it contains more raw material, the price is higher than that of the hollow board;
• Tends to heat up more — due to its greater mass, it reaches slightly higher surface temperatures under sun exposure.

Not significantly. CDECK WUUDE® has a coating that is highly resistant to UV radiation, giving it excellent colour stability and very minimal variation over time.

Yes, like any outdoor surface, it heats up when exposed to solar radiation, with darker colours heating up more than lighter ones. Compared to wood, and in similar colours, CDECK WUUDE® will heat up slightly more, but the difference is not very significant.

CDECK WUUDE® composite decking stands out through its combination of aesthetics, comfort and superior performance:

• Natural and unique aesthetics — random colour variations give an organic appearance close to natural wood;
• Walking comfort— microtextured surface that adapts to the anatomy of the foot, providing a unique and pleasant feel;
• Easy maintenance— virtually impermeable coating that prevents liquid absorption, making cleaning straightforward;
• Safety— Class 3 slip-resistant* even in wet áreas;
• Mechanical performance — tested for impact, bending, moisture resistance and boiling test — CDECK WUUDE Declaration of Performance (DoP);
• Customisation and variety — boards made to measure between 1.8 m and 3 m, available in 5 colours and with a wide range of profiles and accessories;
• Durability— high abrasion resistance and excellent dimensional stability;
• Quick-Fix® system — fastening with only one screw per board and individual opening with pro intermediate clip;
• Robust substructure— PVC joist or aluminium joist for high stability and durability.

Compared to other capped decking products, the main trade-off is the typically higher initial investment.

*Slip resistance: Compliant — Class 3 (EN 15534)

CWALL® is a composite cladding system for facades, developed from the CDECK® model, ideal for use on interior and exterior facades. It allows natural ventilation, offering thermal and acoustic insulation with high durability and a contemporary aesthetic finish.

CWALL® composite cladding stands out for:

• Excellent resistance and durability;
• Effective acoustic and thermal insulation;
• High architectural aesthetic value, with several colours available (6 colours);
• Natural ventilation through the ventilated facade;
• Easy installation, thanks to the floating fastening system.

No. To maintain its appearance and ensure the longevity of the cladding, periodic cleaning with a pressure washeris recommended.

For more persistent stains, wash the boards with a chlorine solution (bleach), testing various concentrations until the desired result is achieved.

Avoid contact between sharp objects and the boards to preserve the surface layer.

Yes. CWALL® ventilated facade cladding is designed for both exterior and interior use, adapting to different architectural styles and requirements without compromising performance or aesthetics.

Yes. One of the key characteristics of CWALL® facade cladding is its efficient thermal and acoustic insulation, making it ideal for facades where interior comfort combined with energy performanceis desired.

CWALL® composite facade cladding carries a warranty of up to 25 years.

Yes. The system was designed for simple and efficient installation, using the Quick-Fix® system.

CFENCE® is a modular composite fencing system developed by IHT, ideal for outdooruse as balcony balustrades, acoustic screening, privacy screensand other applications. It is composed of floating CDECK boards compatible with the Quick-Fix® system and supported by vertical structural profiles.

CFENCE® fencing stands out for offering:

• Excellent resistance and durability, even in demanding outdoor conditions;
• Privacy and security, blocking unwanted visibility;
• No requirement for regular treatment or painting;
• Modern aesthetics with 6 available colours;
• Compatibility with other IHT systems, such as CDECK® and CWALL®.

CFENCE® was designed primarily for outdoor use, making it ideal for:

• Garden and yard fencing;
• Visual and acoustic screening on balconies and terraces;
• Privacy screens and outdoor space dividers.

It can also be used indoors, as a screen or partition in work or leisure environments.

Yes— thanks to the Quick-Fix® system, installation is up to 3x faster* than traditional systems, with only one screw per board.

*Result observed in an internal trial, comparing the Quick-Fix® system with a traditional fastening system. Time may vary depending on the base and site conditions.

CFENCE® fencing carries a warranty of up to 25 years.

No. To maintain its appearance and ensure the longevity of CFENCE® fencing, periodic cleaning with a pressure washer is recommended.

For more persistent stains, wash the boards with a chlorine solution (bleach), testing various concentrations until the desired result is achieved.

Avoid contact between sharp objects and the boards to preserve the surface layer.

CGARDENis a revolutionary home organic garden solution.

It is a unique, patented urban garden, developed and manufactured in Portugal, that allows you to grow organic, healthy and flavourful fruits and vegetables.

The CGARDEN concept is based on nature’s cycles and processes, integrating rainwater collection and storage, composting, fertilisation and automatic irrigationusing solar energy, making it possible to transform a small space into an autonomous garden.

In essence, it is a combination of the processes nature took millennia to perfect with the technology available to us today.

The advantages of having a CGARDEN are endless, but the highlights include:

• Makes a decisive contribution to environmental improvement and reducing the causes of climate change;
• Contributes to our food security;
• Is a sustainable piece of equipment;
• Improves physical and emotional health;
• Is a worthwhile and reliable investment;
• Is extremely convenient;
• Helps with children’s education;
• Is a piece of equipment that contributes to the décor and design of the space in which it is integrated;
• Is being part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

CGARDENis an innovative, self-sustainingand highly durable organic gardensystem that brings the following benefits to environmental sustainability:

• Reduces water consumption, as it collects and stores rainwater, which also has a positive impact on the need for stormwater management;
• Reduces energy consumption, eliminating all energy related to the production, packaging, transport and refrigeration of food, making a decisive contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
• Very significantly reduces waste production by eliminating packaging and enabling organic waste to be used to produce biological fertilisers, which would otherwise need to be sent for treatment;
• Improves air quality, contributing to the purification of the atmosphere in the areas where it is integrated.

CGARDENis very different from existing solutions on the market because it integrates, in a single piece of equipment and the same space, planting, composting, rainwater collection and storage, passive convection cooling of the planting boxes, biofiltration, and automatic irrigation and fertilisation. In addition to integrating all these functions, the planting zone is positioned at the ideal height, meaning all garden-related tasks can be carried out in an ergonomic and extremely comfortable position.

CGARDEN® urban gardens, depending on the version — City, Urban, Pura, Essênciaor Natureza— consist of 1, 2, 3, 5 or 11 planting boxes with 32 cm depth and 2 planting boxes with 12 cm depth.

The 32 cm deep boxes are the ideal solution for a home garden, as they have a capacity of almost 70 litres and allow the planting of virtually any vegetable, from herbs and lettuces to chard, spinach, garlic, onions, cabbages, carrots, tomatoes, broad beans, peas, peppers, potatoes, blueberries, strawberries and more. The smaller boxes, with 12 cm depth, are better suited to smaller plants such as herbs, lettuces, chard, watercress and so on.

Yes, for the City and Urban modular garden models which, due to their smaller dimensions, are supplied almost fully assembled, and their levelling — essential for the correct functioning of the irrigation system — is an extremely simple task.

However, this is not possible for the Pura, Essência and Natureza modular garden models, which are delivered unassembled and whose assembly and levelling is more complex and must be carried out by an IHT team or one of our partners.

CGARDEN uses high-quality, high-performance materials in its structure and cladding, such as aluminium, stainless steel and WPC composite produced by IHT, and for these reasons has an expected service life of over 30 years.

The Quick-Fix® system is a unique, patented system developed by IHT, with several advantages over traditional systems:

• Installation up to 3x faster* — clip-in system with only one screw per board;
• Clean, modern finish — concealed fastening with no visible screws;
• Easy maintenance and access — the pro intermediate clip allows individual boards to be lifted to access drains, inspection chambers or carry out deeper cleaning, without removing the entire floor;
• Long-term stability — the floating system ensures greater adaptability to temperature and humidity variations, maintaining dimensional stability over time.

*Results observed in an internal trial. Time may vary depending on the project.

PVC joistor aluminium joist ensure greater durability because, in most cases, they are in direct contact with the ground, making them more exposed to the effects of moisture and biological agents. Furthermore, they are located in an area that is virtually inaccessible for treatment or maintenance over time. Hence the need for materials that guarantee stability and durability without requiring maintenance, ensuring the longevity of the entire system.

It depends on the location of the board:

• On the perimeter of the decking — remove the terminal clips and take out the board normally;
• In the centre of the decking — cut the intermediate clipswith an angle grinder and reinstall the board with pro intermediate clips.

No. As they are made from WPC, CDECK® boards contain wood, meaning permanent submersion may cause irreversible changes to their shape due to excessive water absorption.

No. Boards must never be installed directly on the ground — an air gap between the boards and the ground must be ensured by the joists.

No. The joists must always be fixed to the ground or to other profiles that ensure a braced structure, as described in the technical data sheet.

Yes, provided it is installed with a braced structure as described in the technical data sheet, that the soil is compacted in the support areas, and that the air gap beneath is not obstructed — for example, by using a geotextile membrane.

No. It is essential to maintain the spacing indicated in the technical data sheet between boards.Temperature and humidity variations cause dimensional changes in the boards and, without adequate gaps, the decking may warp, lift or break. Given the extraordinary mechanical performance of CDECK®, the most likely outcome is that the surrounding material will give way — potentially cracking the surrounding walls.

No. CDECK® was developed and tested as a complete system, in which each component plays a specific role. To ensure long-term durability and stability, it must always be installed with its own accessoriesand in accordance with the technical data sheet guidelines.

Yes— anyone with some DIY aptitude and the right tools can install CDECK®. IHT provides a complete installation guide with step-by-step videos that explains the process from start to finish.

CDECK composite decking, you will need:

• CTOOL;
• Rubber mallet;
• Drill;
• Screwdriver;
• Circular saw (with a wood blade);
• Tape measure;
• Up-to-date Technical Data Sheet.

Maintenance is straightforward — periodic washing of the surface with water and a neutral detergentis all that is needed to keep it looking its best and prevent the permanent build-up of residues.

For detailed instructions and care tips, consult the Up-to-date Technical Data Sheet.

The procedure varies depending on the range:

CDECK Original®:

• Act immediately to minimise absorption of substances into the wood fibres.
• Wash with water, a non-abrasive degreasing product and a soft brush.
• Always test the product on a discreet area before applying it to the affected zone.
• If the stain persists, gently scrub with a wire brush or hand sandpaper, always along the length of the board — any colour differences will naturally fade over time.

CDECK WUUDE®:

• The virtually impermeable coating prevents liquid absorption, but clean as soon as possible to prevent dirt from becoming ingrained.
• Wash with water, a non-abrasive degreasing product and a soft brush.
• Always test the product on a discreet area before applying it to the affected zone.

To eliminate limescale deposits, clean the boards with water, an anti-limescale product and a soft-bristled brush. Always test the product on a discreet area before applying it to the affected zone, to ensure it does not affect the decking finish.

Yes. On CDECK®, use the equipment at a maximum pressure of 150 bar, maintaining a minimum distance of 30 cm and with a wide fan nozzle. Always wash along the length of the boards to preserve the integrity of the decking and maintain a uniform finish.

Use only neutral detergents.

To keep CDECK® looking great and functioning well:

• Carry out periodic cleaning with water and a neutral detergente;
• Remove leaves and organic debristo prevent staining or the growth of fungi;
• Avoid dragging heavy objects and protect furniture bases to preserve the surface.

By following these simple care steps, your decking will maintain its ideal durability and appearance for years to come.