Download the installation and project handbook (PDF)
Tools and preparation
- Tape measure, square, level and marking tools.
- Suitable saw and blade for the board, plus a drill and bits for the selected fixing system.
- Compatible clips, screws and any spacers specified in the fitting instructions.
- Safe work support and the protection specified by the tool manufacturer.
Installing Woodgrain composite decking starts with a layout and a suitable supporting frame. Our Woodgrain boards are supplied in 3.6m and 4.8m lengths, with a nominal 150mm width and 25mm thickness. They have a woodgrain face and a grooved reverse. Decide which face and length you want before calculating quantities.
This guide explains the preparation and sequence described in the Status Composite product information. It is not a structural design. Confirm the exact joist centres, expansion gaps, fixing specification and support details for your board, site and intended use before starting. Other decking profiles can need different components.
1. Draw the deck and check the board layout
Measure the deck length and width, then mark steps, walls, posts and changes in direction. Draw the proposed board runs and joins. An area calculation is a useful first estimate, but it cannot show whether the lengths will fit your cutting plan.
For example, a 4m run cannot be covered by one 3.6m board. Choosing a longer board or introducing a supported joint changes the order and the framing plan. Use our board quantity guide, then check each run before ordering.
2. Assemble the complete materials list
- Woodgrain boards in the chosen length, colour and quantity.
- A suitable joist/subframe system and its approved supports and fixings.
- Compatible starter clips and concealed fixing clips.
- Appropriate screws for the selected frame and clip system.
- Matching edging trims, fascia and step edges where required.
Measure perimeter pieces in metres of edge, separately from the area of the deck. See the trim, fascia and step-edge guide for the different roles of those components.
3. Check the subframe before laying boards
The product instructions call for a suitable joist/subframe system. Confirm that its layout supports the chosen board direction and all board ends and joins. Resolve movement, unstable supports or an unsuitable fixing surface before laying the deck.
Get the required joist spacing and expansion allowances for this exact profile. Do not copy figures from another supplier or a different Status range. These details also determine the number of clips and screws you will need.
4. Check the delivery and prepare the boards
Check colours, quantities, lengths and condition before cutting. The 3.6m and 4.8m Woodgrain boards may vary slightly in shade between batches. Order the same length together where possible and review the proposed appearance before combining lengths.
Set out the boards in the intended direction, identify cuts and allow for the specified gaps. Use tools suitable for composite material and follow the tool maker's handling and protection instructions.
5. Fit the boards using the compatible clip system
The listed fitting method uses starter clips and concealed fixing clips. Set out the first board carefully, then fit subsequent boards according to the clip-system instructions. Keep checking the alignment against the full deck, rather than following one board that may already be out of line.
Maintain the specified movement allowance at board ends and fixed objects. Do not force a board tightly against a wall or treat trims as a substitute for the required support.
6. Finish and check the installation
Fit matching trims and finishing components using their own approved fixing details. Check the deck perimeter, board ends, steps, gaps and fixing security before use. Remove cutting debris and retain the product details and installation instructions with your order record.
Questions to confirm before fitting
| Check | Confirm for your project |
|---|---|
| Support | Subframe material, support positions and joist spacing |
| Movement | End, side and perimeter gaps for the installation conditions |
| Fixings | Clip compatibility, screw specification and fixing sequence |
| Finishing | Trim fixing method, step support and joint details |
Browse Woodgrain decking, grey decking options and decking accessories. Send your board choice and layout to Status Composite if you need the fitting information for a specific product.
Keep these with your order
Download the project ordering checklist before buying. After fitting, use the care and maintenance guide and keep the exact product references, fitting instructions and installation photographs.
