Help & Advice
Here you will find all the latest frequently asked questions and useful guides on our Decking, Cladding, Fencing and Decking Balustrade products. Whether you need help with placing your order, or have a question regarding installation or aftercare, this section will have the answers.
The frequently asked questions below have information on ordering process, delivery information or queries, decking maintenance, decking aftercare and information about decking and cladding accessories. We have useful installation guides which can be found on our website for each type of decking, cladding or balustrade aswell as ways to finish your decking area. If you still cannot find the answer for your queries please do contact a member of our team on 01837 659901 or email us at [email protected]
Search the Knowledge Base below:
Planning permission may be required for some Decking installations, however, some may not need planning permission. It all depends on where you live, and the size and height of the area being covered. See all the restrictions and what permissions you may need for your Decking installation here
In most cases, adding Cladding to your home does not require planning permission, providing that the materials are off a similar appearance to the rest of your home. In some cases, you may need to apply for planning permission if your home is a listed building in an area of exceptional beauty or a national park. Please note that we are not licensed planning or building surveyors. We recommend speaking to a licenced professional.
Read our blog post on the Five Benefits of adding composite wall cladding.
Yes, Decking can be used as a great design tool to help flatten out your garden space. If you are installing a Deck on a sloped garden, be sure to measure and install the Structural Joists correctly, the base and Joists may need to be cut to different lengths to ensure the Deck is level. See our Composite Decking installation guide here.
Cladco Composite and Nordeck Decking could require planning permission. Unless Decking is being added to a listed building or a property based within a conservation area, Decking should only require planning permission if the height of the Deck exceeds 30cm, or if the Deck, along with other extensions takes up more than 50% of the Garden. Find out more about Planning Permission here
We are based in Okehampton, Devon. Please see the contact us section
Composite Decking is a range of Decking, with a longer life span than traditional timber, as well as a variety of other benefits due to its interior being 60% wood fibres and 40% plastic with bonding agents and other additives. The Decking also comes in a range of eight colours. Learn more here.
Depending on the type of board you're wanting, solid or hollow, if you want a bullnose edge or corner trim and the size of your project prices differ. Use our decking calculator to generate a quote
We only supply the products, we do not install them, however, Cladco products are simple to install for any competent DIYer. Please see our installation guides here.
Cladco Profiles delivers to Mainland UK Mondays - Fridays, find out more here about our delivery service here.
Yes, please see our Collection information for more details.
The majority of items are delivered on our own vehicles. Some smaller parcels and samples are sent via a courier. Please see our Delivery page for more information.
All items are for Mainland UK Delivery only, we do not offer delivery outside of this, Please see our delivery page for further information.
For larger items such as Decking, Cladding or Fencing Boards, we do not offer express delivery. Smaller items such as Sample Packs or Accessories are sent via a courier service. For more information, please see our Delivery page.
For items that are 2.2m or smaller, a postage fee is required and these may take 3-5 working days to arrive.
Flashings and Trims are used to seal the edges and corners of a building, ensuring no water can penetrate the Cladding and potentially cause issues between the walls of the home and the Boards.
Cladco Flashings and Trims include:
Starter Strip – This is installed at the base of your project, the galvanized steel Starter Strip is attached to the base Batten. The Wall Cladding Boards are then slotted into place, creating a support for the next Wall Cladding Board.
Corner Trim – These can add the finishing touches to your Cladding Project, designed to complete the look.
Skirting Trim – These are used, similar to Corner Trims, to complete your Composite Cladding project. Skirting Trims can create beautiful borders around windows and doors.
Yes, Cladco Fibre Cement Wall Cladding Boards can be cut. When cutting, fine dust is released into the atmosphere - the mineral itself is harmless, however dangerous if inhaled and will constitute a health hazard. A Level P3 Respiratory Protective Mask should be worn when cutting the Boards. The Boards must be cut outside and it is recommended to use a wet saw to reduce dust particles. Further information and other applicable legislative requirements can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive’s website.
Cladco Composite Decking is made with a combination of materials, including wood, making it a natural product that will exhibit colour variations. As a result, the colour will differ between batches, even when ordered at the same time. You may also notice slight colour differences within a single batch. Orders purchased at different times will display noticeable shade differences.
Products purchased together but then split into two separate projects will stabilise at different rates. For example, if an area is installed and extended sometime later, variations may occur within the Boards, even if they come from the same batch. If Composite Boards are used across multiple projects, the stabilisation process will vary for each set, leading to differences in appearance over time.
Cladco Composite Decking is designed and manufactured to mimic the natural grain and colour variations found in real timber decking. To ensure a balanced and visually pleasing result, we recommend laying out all the Boards before installation to evenly distribute the natural variations across your Decking area.
Both Cladco Composite Hollow and Solid Decking Boards benefit from low-maintenance, low-slip and UV and insect-resistant properties. However, Solid Decking Boards are made of solid material and can be used for high footfall areas and offer better sound absorption qualities than Hollow Decking Boards, which have a 5-hole honeycomb interior. Find out more about the differences here.
Cladco Composite Decking is available in either Hollow or Solid core. Hollow Composite Decking Boards are made with a unique 5-hole honeycomb structure for increased strength and durability. Hollow Decking Boards are available in both Woodgrain and Original Finish. See our Hollow range here.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards have UV-resistant properties, however, Composite Boards contain natural wood elements, which means they will fade from weathering over time. This process is most noticeable within the first six months after installation. Like any Composite product, our Decking Boards undergo a stabilisation process where they fade slightly to reach their final colour.
Composite Decking can be more expensive than traditional timber due to the higher cost of materials sourcing and manufacturing costs. As well as the additional additives, which gives the Boards their range of beneficial properties. Find out more about the difference between Timber and Composite Decking Boards here.
Joists may bow over time but can be straightened. To correct this, place the bowed section on the ground and apply weight on top to level it out before installation.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards do not require any additional painting, staining or sanding. The low-maintenance properties of the Boards mean that they should only need the occasional clean. Composite Decking Cleaner can be purchased here.
Cladco Premium Nordeck Decking Boards, are made from man-made materials, the absence of natural wood, within the Boards, means they should not absorb moisture, which could make the Boards slippery. Cladco Premium Nordeck Decking Boards have a textured woodgrain surface, the rough feel and gritted surface provides the Boards with low-slip properties.
Find out more about Cladco Premium Nordeck Decking with our sample packs here.
Yes, Cladco Fibre Cement Wall Cladding Boards can be cut. When cutting, fine dust is released into the atmosphere - the mineral itself is harmless, however dangerous if inhaled and will constitute a health hazard. A Level P3 Respiratory Protective Mask should be worn when cutting the Boards. The Boards must be cut outside and it is recommended to use a wet saw to reduce dust particles. Further information and other applicable legislative requirements can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive’s website.
Placing a firepit on your Composite Decking Boards is not recommended. Cladco Composite Decking Boards are made with part natural materials, which are not fire-resistant. Find out more about Cladco Composite Decking here.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards have low-slip properties when installed with the narrow grooves facing up. However, like anything, extra care must be taken when the Boards are wet as there may be an increased slip risk in adverse weather such as frost or rain.
Yes, Composite Decking Boards can easily be cut using traditional wood cutting saws and tools. If cutting Boards to size, be sure to install the Boards directly after cutting. Please reference to HSE for further health and safety guidelines.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards provide a low-slip, narrow-grooved surface on one side, which provides low-slip benefits due to increased water run-off. Our Woodgrain Composite Decking Boards, however, do not offer low-slip properties. We recommend installing our Decking Boards at a slight angle for water run-off to prevent standing water from freezing and becoming slippery.
As with most outdoor garden products, Composite Decking can become warm if exposed to direct sunlight, especially in the darker colour ranges.
We are unable to cut boards to length for customers, boards are easy to cut with a traditional saw, care must be taken when cutting the boards. Boards cannot be cut on our premises.
Customers are unable to cut any product on our premises. This is against our health and safety practices and will not be allowed.
As Cladco Composite cladding boards are part wood, these are not fire rated. Please see test results here.
Please see a list of our stockists and traders here.
Look for signs of warping or cracking due to over saturation of water, as well as insect infestation and rot. All of these are signs that indicate your decking boards will need replacing, and that the structural integrity of your deck has been weakened and could collapse under heavy weight or impact.
Cladco Composite Wall Cladding Boards are available in a variety of eight colours. The low-maintenance composite material does not need to be sanded, treated or varnished. Simply select your chosen colour, install and enjoy. Please note, Cladco Composite Decking Boards cannot be painted. Find out more about Composite Wall Cladding here.
We supply our Composite Decking Boards in eight colour variations and do not recommend painting our Boards.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards have UV-resistant properties, however, Composite Boards contain natural wood elements, which means they will fade from weathering over time. This process is most noticeable within the first six months after installation. Like any Composite product, our Decking Boards undergo a stabilisation process where they fade slightly to reach their final colour.
Composite Cladding needs much less upkeep compared to traditional timber materials, however, it is not completely maintenance-free. Routine cleaning is essential to get rid of debris and stop potential staining. If your Cladding is located beneath overhanging trees, it is important to promptly clear leaves, petals, and sap to avoid surface marks. Additionally, water runoff from gutters and downpipes may stain the Boards, making regular maintenance vital to preserve their appearance.
While Composite Decking requires significantly less upkeep than traditional timber decking, it is not entirely maintenance-free. Cleaning is necessary to remove debris and prevent potential staining. If your Decking is situated beneath overhanging trees, keep an eye out for leaves, petals, and sap that need to be cleared promptly to avoid marking the surface.
Like any Composite material, our Cladding Boards go through a process of stabilisation where fading may happen until the final colour is reached. Stabilisation usually occurs during the first six months following installation. This is more evident in the woodgrain design, where shading variations can arise due to the process of sanding.
Composite Decking Boards are susceptible to scratching, particularly if furniture is dragged across the surface. To minimise the risk of damage, we recommend attaching felt pads to the legs of furniture.
Watermarks are a common occurrence during the weathering process of Composite products. As the tannins in the timber content of the Boards come out, watermarks may appear. This is a temporary condition, and the marks will fade naturally as the Decking stabilises over time.
Cladco Composite products are low-maintenance, they do not need to be stained, sanded or varnished, Ensure that your deck is cleaned regularly.
Yes, Cladco Composite Wall Cladding is a versatile Cladding material, designed to transform the exterior of your home. However, the Boards can easily be installed inside if desired. Find out more about the Cladco Composite Wall Cladding here.
Cladco Composite Decking can be installed using either Composite or Timber Joists. The Joists must be installed with a maximum of 400mm space between each Joist, installed either on a concrete base or Weed Mat.
See the Cladco Composite Joist Installation Guide for more details
Cladco Premium Nordeck Decking must be installed using Treated Timber Joists on either a concrete or Weed Mat base. If using a ground/soild base ensure you have installed Cladco Weed Mat to prevent weed growth through the decking. Nordeck Installations should ensure a maximum of 300mm space between each evenly spaced Joist.
See the Cladco Nordeck Installation Guide here for more details.
Unfortunately, Cladco does not offer an installation service for any of our products. However, all products can be installed by any capable DIYer, with the easy to follow installation guides found here
Placing a firepit on your Composite Decking Boards is not recommended. Cladco Composite Decking Boards are made with part natural materials, which are not fire-resistant. Find out more about Cladco Composite Decking here.
Cladco Composite Decking Boards do not require any additional painting, staining or sanding. The low-maintenance properties of the Boards mean that they should only need the occasional clean. Composite Decking Cleaner can be purchased here.
Yes, Cladco Composite Decking Boards have two sides; one side with narrow grooves and the other with a woodgrain effect. For low-slip properties, install with the narrow grooves facing up. Please see our Installation Guide for more information.
We supply our Composite Decking Boards in eight colour variations and do not recommend painting our Boards.
Calculate how many Decking Boards, Trims and Fixings you may need for your garden with the easy to use Cladco Decking Calculator here.
We recommend using Nordeck Woodgrain Effect Decking Boards around swimming pools for their water-resistant and warp-resistant properties.
Cladco Composite Wall Cladding Boards are available in a variety of eight colours. The low-maintenance composite material does not need to be sanded, treated or varnished. Simply select your chosen colour, install and enjoy. Please note, Cladco Composite Decking Boards cannot be painted. Find out more about Composite Wall Cladding here.
Composite Decking can be more expensive than traditional timber due to the higher cost of materials sourcing and manufacturing costs. As well as the additional additives, which gives the Boards their range of beneficial properties. Find out more about the difference between Timber and Composite Decking Boards here.
Simply enter the dimensions of the area you wish to deck into our free Online Decking Calculator to work out how many Boards and additonal extras you'll need.
With our easy-to-use Wall Cladding Calculator, you can receive an estimate on how many Boards, Fixings and accessories you may need for your project. See our Wall Calculator here.
Nordeck Decking Boards feature a tough ASA shell encasing a PVC core, making Nordeck Decking highly resistant to scratches, stains, moisture and mould. Composite Decking has resistant properties too, for example against rot, insects and UV rays, these types of Boards are not recommended to use around water features or pools, due to the risk of water absorption, expansion and contraction.
