Millboard deckboards must be stored on a flat surface or level bearers a maximum of 400mm apart with the boards face-to-face. Boards should only be lifted, not dragged across surfaces as this could cause abrasion or marking on the surface.  Only move the pallet if the Millboard is safely strapped to it. Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling Millboard and wherever possible use two people to carefully carry the boards.

Because Millboard deck boards are designed to replicate natural products they are manufactured with secondary toning colours. This means there will inevitably  be some variance in colour tone within each board and therefore from board to board, this is perfectly normal

Consistency of colour may also vary slightly from batch to batch, it makes sense to order all boards required in the one delivery. If this is not possible then try mixing the batches to blend the colours as much as possible. As with all things constantly exposed to ultra violet light and all weathers, colours will tone slightly in time, this is normal for decking. Upon receipt of your delivery if colour appears unacceptable or you believe them to be defective in any way, do not install the boards and instead contact ourselves at Southern Timber.

Decking – planning the install

When planning your deck it is recommended you allow a joist spacing of 400mm between joist centres normal residential and light commercial use. On heavy commercial installations, bridges, balconies, moorings, doorways and steps, then use 300mm between joist centres. If you need to cut Millboard down along the length, then reduce the joist centres accordingly. A minimum of three joists is required for any cut boards.

For laying 45º to the joist, reduce the joist centres to 300mm for residential and 240mm for commercial use. Always leave a 10mm expansion gap between ends of bearers and joists. To install Plas-Pro frame solutions, drill the fixing holes oversize to allow the material to expand. Posts should always have a minimal of a third of their length in the ground, subject to a minimum of 400mm in the ground. Cuts must always be positioned over joists.

Securing the deckboards

When securing your Millboard decking with Millboard Durafix stainless steel fixings there is no need to pre-drill or countersink, just screw straight in. This is not the case with cheaper, lower spec stainless screw fixings.  When fixing in, push down, start the driver slowly and speed up; then slow down when driving the head of the screw through the Lastane®. Stop the screw about 5mm below the surface, no deeper, and this should leave a small, virtually indistinguishable hole. Failure to use the Millboard Durafix stainless fixings or not fitting according to Millboard’s guidelines may invalidate the Millboard 25 year warranty.

Two fixings per board should be used where the board crosses a joist. We advise to use three at the ends of the boards on shorter lengths. The fixings at the ends of the boards should be fixed at a slight angle to prevent being too close to the end of the board 5 , positioning the screws 20–25mm from the ends and 30mm from the sides of the boards. Board ends should be supported by a minimum of 20mm. As the boards are dimensionally stable, they can be fitted with only 4mm spacing and 2mm gap at the ends of the boards. Boards may have a +/- 2% dimensional variance. Best practice is to fix the boards at one end, then a fixing in the middle adjusting spacing as necessary, then the far end. Then fix to the remaining joists. We recommend working to a string line.

Cutting Millboard deckboards

Millboard can be cut with standard saw blades, although we recommend a carbon-tipped, multi-purpose chop saw. As the formed end of the Millboard is lost when cut, these can be placed in less visible areas against a wall or edging profile. A light sanding with sandpaper may be needed to clean the end. Use the Millboard Touch-up Coating to match and blend in the exposed ends. Dispose of off-cuts as general waste, don’t burn them. When cutting the Millboard, wear a standard PPE dust mask, safety glasses, long sleeves and protective gloves. A dust bag must be used on chop saws. Make sure that the Millboard is adequately supported when cutting.

If the Millboard picks up marks during installation simply wash with hot, soapy water and a firm broom straightaway. To remove any cement and lime-based stains, we recommend using Geocel Brick & Mortar Cleaner. Test a small area first and follow the mixing instructions, leaving for five minutes before washing off with soapy water.

Millboard finishing touches

Millboard recommend that the purpose-made Millboard edging is fitted to all steps and perimeters of the deck. The straight and bulnose edging is coated with extra Lastane® for added resilience on these areas to help prevent excessive. It is important that the edging is supported on a joist by a minimum of 25mm. It is recommended to trim the ends to butt tightly when fitting both edging and fascias. For the best visual effect, stagger the edging and fascia joints so that they’re not in line – this creates a subtler look.

Millboard also manufacture edgings and fascia in a flexible material, suitable for curved designs. Flexible Edging can be curved to follow a maximum convex diameter of 3 metres. These flexible profiles need to be at least room temperature (c.20ºC), then bent gently. Standard fascia will bend up to 3m convex diameter but use the ultra flexible for tighter curves. When fixing, start from the end and work along, fixing at 300mm intervals as you go. This material doesn’t conceal the fixings, leaving some fixing heads partially visible.

Durafix Trimhead Fixings are made from A2 Stainless Steel and are available in 50mm and 60mm lengths in boxes of 250.  Both sizes are 4.5mm in width and include the appropriate sized Torx bit. Using the Millboard Durafix stainless screw means pre-drilling or counter sinking required. Once these screws are correctly fitted the Lastane® coating material on every Millboard flexes back over the fixing, leaving a virtually indistinguishable mark and creating a cleaner finish. Made from stainless steel, the screws have a self-cutting tip, six-point Torx head and are waxed for ease of use.