FAQ

At SwiftDeck, we’ve done our best to create a Web site that anticipates and satisfies our customers’ needs. With that goal in mind, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer to your question here, contact us at 03 9587 5157 or [email protected]

Fill in the details on the Deck Planner and you will have pricing immediately -or send us an email to [email protected] along with your State/Suburb and deck size(s).
VIEW DECK PLANNER

Or give us a call on (03) 9587 5157. We are also happy to receive copies of plans or drawings, and work with ourcustomers on a quantity and cost estimate.

No, SwiftDeck is a system of boards and clips. The decking boards are precision machined to accommodate the SwiftDeck clips, and tolerances are carefully controlled to ensure correct fitting allowing for timber movement and good long term performance.

Yes. Swiftdeck is the perfect solution for replacement of the old deck. As Swiftdeck uses the Swiftdeck Clip that fixes to the side of the joist, you will not have the issue of trying to fix in to old nail or screw holes and the adhesive will assist in waterproofing the joists as well. As long as the exisiting joists are clean and in serviceable condition, and spacing in a maximum of 450mm, Swiftdeck makes the job of replacing a deck simple, easy and without the tedious fixing of 50 screws per square metre. (That’s around 2000 screws for the average 40m2 deck you wont do!)

Yes, SwiftDeck is a solid timber decking available in random lengths or LinkWOOD engineered set lengths. LinkWOOD is the preferred timber for the Swiftdeck System. LinkWOOD offers and environmentally responsi ble choice, with significant performance benefits of minimal waste, easier and faster installation, smoother and safer joins in your deck. For more information see www.linkwood.com.au

This practice is not always successful because the screws normally provided are not suitable for fixing timber to steel.

During periods of higher humidity, the expanding timber may cause the screws to fail in shear. It is recommended that the decking boards be nailed or screwed to a timber batten affixed above or beside the steel joist.

No, generally construction adhesives are brittle when cured and will not allow for movement of the timber. The range of Swiftdeck adhesives have been approved following extensive site and university testing for strength and durability, and have been backed by the respective manufacturers for use with Swiftdeck.

The range of approved adhesives is under constant review and testing, with new and higher strength options becoming available you will be offered a choice of performance (like choosing nails or screws).

Generally speaking no. The Swiftdeck decking system is designed to be a permanent long-term decking solution, and accommodates the movement of the different Australian hardwood timbers used. Without adhesive, the boards are likely to shrink and become loose in hot and dry conditions.

Most Swiftdeck comes pre-finished with either FeastWatson Oils or Intergrain Enviropro water based deck finish. As a minimum, a protective coating should be applied to all surfaces (including any freshly cut end) of each decking board, preferably before fixing to the joists. A protective coating includes products which penetrate the surface of the timber and products which provide a film or coating to the surface of the timber.

This protective coating of the timber surface will minimise the effects of weathering of any timber (treated or untreated) in an exposed situation.

The purpose of the protective coating is to slow down the rate at which the timber will take up or lose moisture. By slowing that rate down, the severity of any checking is considerably reduced. The coating should contain a fungicide to prevent mould growing on any sugars or starches that may be in the coating.

Most timbers contain water-soluble extractives which provide colour and some decay resistance to the timber. Discolouration from these water-soluble extractives will be leached to the surface of the timber whenever moisture leaves the timber. Because the discolouration is water-soluble, it can be washed to other surfaces and leave an unsightly stain which can be difficult to remove from brickwork and concrete.

To lesson the likelihood of such staining, use seasoned timber and apply a protective coating to all surfaces (including any freshly cut ends).

Avoid using any tools which may deposit fine iron filings on the timber surface. Any iron filings which are not cleaned from the surface are likely to create unsightly black staining of the timber. An angle grinder cutting bricks creates iron filings from the metal mesh which forms the base of the cutting disk.

Some softwood species such as radiata pine and slash pine can be prone to resin bleed. Only some boards are affected. If a board shows obvious signs of resin bleed then don’t fix it in the deck. If it has to be fixed in the deck, fix it in a position where the resin bleed wont be a problem.

Sometimes it may not be obvious that a board is prone to resin bleed until after the finished deck has been exposed to a period of hot weather. In such circumstances the resin can be cleaned up or the offending board replaced.

Yes we have a range of species that are approved for use in bushfire areas, up to Bushfire Attack Level – BAL29.

AS 3959 1999 Construction in Bushfire Prone Areas, permits fire-retardant-treated-timber to be used in certain bushfire prone areas where the use of timber externally is otherwise not permitted. Included in the definition of fire-retardant-treated-timber are timber species which meet specified parameters without having to be subjected to a fire retardant treatment. A number of species have been tested.

Seven Hardwood species have been shown to meet the parameters:
They are ”Blackbutt, Spotted gum, Red ironbark, Turpentine, River red gum, Silvertop ash and Merbau.”