Cladco Signature Composite Decking Installation Guide

End caps for hollow Signature composite decking boards are designed to fit securely into the five‑hole construction of the boards, giving your deck a neat and professional finish while sealing the exposed ends.

To attach the end caps:

1. Lightly sand both the edge of the decking board and the inside lip of the end cap.
2. Press the end cap firmly into the hollow end of the board so it fits snugly.
3. Once in place, the cap creates a seamless edge that matches your decking colour.

Made from durable plastic, these end caps help prevent dirt, insects, and pests from entering the hollow board cavities.

Yes, slight variations in shade can occur with Signature composite boards. They are designed to replicate the natural look of timber, and because the pigments used during manufacturing interact differently with the recycled wood fibres in each board, some tonal variation is expected. This can also be seen in matching trims, as they share the same composite makeup.

To help maintain colour consistency across your project, we strongly recommend ordering all decking boards at the same time. This reduces the likelihood of noticeable shade differences between batches. In larger orders, some variation may still occur due to normal manufacturing tolerances.

Yes, a standard board can be used as an edging piece where the edge is purely aesthetic, such as on a balcony or along a decorative perimeter, if that’s your preferred finish.

However, we do not recommend using a standard board in areas that are likely to receive regular impact, such as steps or high‑traffic edges. These areas require greater durability.

For these applications, bullnose edging boards are the better choice. They are specifically designed with a thicker, reinforced profile to withstand knocks, scrapes, and repeated foot traffic, making them ideal for step treads, stair edges, and other high‑impact zones.

Using the correct edging board will help maintain the look, safety, and long‑term performance of your decking.

Decking can be installed in a wide range of outdoor spaces, making it a versatile choice for both residential and commercial projects. You can install decking on:

• Gardens and patios - Ideal for creating seating areas, outdoor dining spaces, or raised platforms.
• Balconies and terraces - Provided the substructure is suitable and properly supported.
• Around hot tubs, pools, and ponds - Composite decking is especially popular in these areas thanks to its low‑maintenance, water‑resistant properties.
• Holiday homes, lodges, and caravans - Perfect for building long‑lasting outdoor platforms.
• Rooftop and elevated areas - As long as the structure can safely support the load and an appropriate subframe is used.
• Commercial outdoor spaces - Such as pubs, restaurants, schools, and public seating zones.

Mould or mildew can develop on any exterior surface due to airborne spores. If it appears on your decking or cladding, clean the affected area with warm soapy water or a suitable outdoor cleaner.

Good installation practices also help reduce the likelihood of future build‑up. Ensuring proper airflow and ventilation behind cladding, and maintaining the correct spacing between decking boards, allows moisture to escape and keeps surfaces drier.

Regular inspections and occasional cleaning will help maintain the appearance and longevity of both decking and cladding.

Yes, you can use a pressure washer on our composite products, but we recommend keeping the pressure below 2,000 PSI and using a fan tip with a 40–60° spray angle. Maintain a distance of 250–300mm from the surface at all times, and always test on a small, inconspicuous area first. Avoid prolonged direct contact, as this may damage the surface of the panels.

Due to the porous nature of Signature composite decking, prolonged contact with plant pots may cause staining. We recommend placing a mat underneath any pots to prevent this. This precaution should also be taken for other garden 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.

Signature composite decking requires time to acclimatise to outdoor environments. During the stabilisation period of around six months, sections of your decking that are not exposed to weathering, such as areas under furniture, will not weather at the same rate as the rest of your decking. If you expose these areas to the natural elements, they will gradually even out in colour as the previous boards have.

To achieve a neat and secure finish, composite trims should be installed using Cladco Adhesive. This provides a strong bond when concealing the subframe or finishing the edges of your decking.

For best results, follow these guidelines:

• Use Cladco Adhesive to attach the trims securely.
• Avoid getting adhesive on the decking boards, as this may mark or damage the surface finish.
• Do not install trims in hot temperatures, as heat can affect the setting process.
• Once positioned, clamp the trims in place for up to 24 hours to ensure a firm, long‑lasting bond.

Composite boards are designed to be durable and offer good resistance to everyday wear, including minor scratching. However, no cladding or decking product is completely scratch‑proof. Lighter surface marks can occur from impacts, sharp objects or abrasive materials.

Capped composite boards, such as ProClad, have an additional protective outer layer that provides enhanced scratch resistance compared to uncapped options. Signature boards are also robust, but as they have an exposed composite surface, they may show marks more easily.

In most cases, light scratches will become less noticeable over time as the boards naturally weather. Regular cleaning and avoiding sharp or abrasive contact will help maintain the best appearance.

Yes, both our Signature and ProDeck composite decking boards feature two usable sides: one with a woodgrain finish and the other with narrow grooves. You can choose whichever side best suits your preferred style and the look you want to achieve for your decking.

We do not recommend placing fire pits, BBQs, or outdoor heaters directly on decking, as the intense heat they produce can affect the integrity of the boards. High temperatures may cause discolouration, scorch marks, surface damage, or warping, especially if the appliance sits directly on or too close to the deck surface.

Bullnose decking boards are designed to create a neat, professional-looking edge around your deck. They can be used with Signature, ProDeck, and Nordeck ranges and are typically installed as a border rather than as part of the main deck area.

Bullnose boards are fixed in the same way as standard decking boards, using the appropriate screws or clips for your chosen range. Because they feature a rounded front edge, they provide a smooth, finished look that’s ideal for framing the deck or defining steps and perimeters.

Due to natural batch variations and the presence of timber fibres in composite boards, bullnose pieces are not intended to blend seamlessly with the rest of the decking. For this reason, many customers choose a contrasting colour to create a stylish picture‑frame effect around the edge.

For step edges or other high-impact areas, bullnose boards also offer enhanced durability thanks to their thicker front profile.

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. Our ProDeck boards are virtually maintenance free due to their protective polymer shell.

Double joists are essential at butt joints because they provide individual support for each board end. Every board must be fixed independently, and this can only be achieved when there is a dedicated joist beneath each adjoining board.

Using two separate fixing clips—one for each board end—prevents boards from sharing a single clip. This is crucial because:

• Each board needs its own secure fixing point
• Independent clips help manage natural expansion and contraction
• Boards remain properly aligned and supported over time
• Movement at one board end does not affect the adjoining board

Following these installation requirements ensures that your decking performs as intended and maintains its structural integrity.

Not adhering to these guidelines may compromise the stability of your deck and will invalidate the product warranty.

Decking boards can warm up in direct sunlight, but they won’t usually become too hot to walk on. The colour you choose plays a big part too. Lighter shades, such as light grey or quartz, tend to stay cooler, while darker tones naturally absorb more heat. If your decking is in a particularly sunny spot, opting for a lighter colour or adding some shaded areas can help keep the surface comfortable throughout the day.

For Signature composite decking, we recommend using a combination of T‑clips and 6mm composite decking locking clips. These fixings are designed to work together to keep the boards secure, correctly spaced, and properly aligned throughout installation.

• T‑clips are used along the majority of each board run to maintain the correct expansion gap between boards and ensure a clean, consistent finish.
• One locking clip should be used per board, fixed centrally into the middle joist. This stabilises the board and helps minimise movement caused by seasonal expansion and contraction.