Help & Advice:
FAQs

Are the Envello cladding boards fire rated?

Millboard Envello cladding boards are crafted with fire retardants in the board composition, however they are not fire rated and carry no ‘reaction to fire’ certificate. The responsibility for the cladding’s suitability in the required location is to be determined by a certified building professional (building control, building insurance, fire officer, etc). Millboard will not be held responsible for incorrect specification, application, or product installation in areas not in accordance with government guidance, in the UK or abroad. Current guidance should be gained from the government website relating to the geographical project location, England’s building regulation Approved Document B can be found on - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

Are Millboard decking boards fire rated when used as cladding?

Millboard decking boards have been certified to EN 13501-1 and have a rating of Bfl-s1 when used as a flooring product, this does not mean that the decking board will have a ‘B’ rating when they are used in a cladding application. When the decking boards are used in a cladding application they have no fire rating and carry no ‘reaction to fire’ certificate, the responsibility for the cladding’s suitability in the required location is to be determined by a certified building professional (building control, building insurance, fire officer , etc). Millboard will not be held responsible for incorrect specification, application, or product installation in areas not in accordance with government guidance, in the UK or abroad. Current guidance should be gained from the government website relating to the geographical project location, England’s building regulation Approved Document B can be found on - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

Where can I use Millboard decking?

Millboard decking is extremely versatile and can be used in practically every outdoor space (subject to building control). Create decks, cladding, balconies, roof gardens, boardwalks, bridges, pontoons, seating, steps, planters and more. Millboard can be used as the decorative face for most outdoor designs, as long as it is fixed to a structural element.

Are Millboard decking colours consistent?

Millboard has been designed to replicate the natural variances of timber and we do not intend for the product to have identical shades. Buying all the Millboard decking you need at the same time should help to ensure that the colour is as consistent and we would always recommend laying out the boards before installation, to create an effective, subtle blend.

Samples are provided as a representation of the product and we would encourage customers to view full boards as part of a deck, in order to fully appreciate the product, prior to purchase.

Will my Millboard decking change colour over time?

We go to extraordinary lengths to recreate the look of natural timber. As with all products exposed to the elements including sunlight, snow and rain, Millboard will naturally weather and tone down over time. Slight yellowing, especially in the deeper grain of our decking and cladding boards will be visible and loss of gloss is also expected and intentional. This is in order for us to replicate that natural piece of timber it has so carefully been moulded against along with our unique hand coloured process.

Does Millboard decking get hot in the sun?

As with all composite products, the surfaces of the boards tend to be hotter than timber when exposed to direct sunlight. Darker colours particularly will feel hotter and may be uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet. Under direct sunlight and high temperature, footwear may be necessary. Special caution should be taken when using decking in areas by heat/UV reflective glass, or around pools.

Does it expand or contract?

As Millboard is made from a resin mineral composition it is stable in comparison to timber or composites based on timber. We recommend a 4mm gap between the sides of boards and a 1mm gap between the ends of boards, a 10mm gap should be left between the boards and any solid surface to aid drainage.

Does Millboard decking mark?

The Lastane® finish is resistant to food and drink stains and scratches, and everyday wear and tear. Sharp objects such as unprotected table or chair legs, spiked shoes, animal claws or metal planter bases can leave marks if dragged across the surface, so take care when moving these items around. The risk of marking from strong dyes and stains such as berries and animal droppings will be reduced if removed as soon as possible, this also applies to cooking oils or fats that come into contact with the surface of the Lastane®.

Please ensure to cover and protect the boards from any surrounding building or landscaping works, painting, rendering or cementitious dust that could contaminate or mark the surface, especially if the boards have been recently installed. Millboard will not be held responsible for issues arising from the boards being affected by foreign substances as this does not represent a fault with the product. We are able to recommend cleaning solutions that may be used to address contamination concerns or in situations where our guidance has not been followed.

Does Millboard decking come with a warranty?

Yes. Our Limited Warranty gives you peace of mind and we assure you that we will stand by the provisions, as laid down in the Limited Warranty document. We will issue you with either a Residential 10 year Limited Warranty or a Commercial 5 year Limited Warranty depending on the installation application of the boards and when it is registered within 90 days of the installation.

Is Millboard fire safe?

Millboard decking has been tested to BS EN ISO 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 and has a Bfl-S1 reaction to fire classification (fire test for flooring). Millboard is not recommended for use as cladding or balcony decking on buildings 18m (6 storeys) or above, and for other use, it should be subject to Building Regulations to check suitability, use and proximity.

More information on requirements for fire are on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b

What Subframe base system should be used with Millboard?

The ideal companion to our all-weather composite decking is our DuoSpan subframe system.

DuoSpan combines the strength of aluminium with the design flexibility of recycled plastic. This combination enables distinctive design opportunities for decking and outdoor structures that would be impossible with most conventional subframes. Boasting impressive durability and exceptional ease of installation, DuoSpan provides the perfect subframe for Millboard decking, as well as a universal support system for other outdoor flooring. Its ingenious design includes multiple features that make it near-impossible to get assembly wrong.

What is the difference between Timber Joists and DuoSpan or Plas-Pro Joists?

Timber is the most commonly used subframe material. However, timber only performs well under ideal circumstances and if the cut elements are regularly retreated. In applications where the timber is in contact with the ground or has limited airflow, the intended lifespan of the frame can be impeded significantly. Our recommendation is to use our innovative DuoSpan framework or Plas-pro to achieve a non-rot solution.

When using Plas-Pro as an alternative to timber, please bear in mind that the structural spans are not equivalent. Please refer to the Plas-Pro brochures and installation guides for further details. If in doubt then contact a member of our technical team on enquiries@gfdhomes.co.uk.

What is the difference between DuoSpan and Plas-Pro?

DuoSpan™ combines the strength of aluminium with the design flexibility of recycled plastic. This achieves a system that provides exceptional ease of installation, enormous strength and durability. DuoSpan has been designed by industry professionals to comply with Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures (BS EN 1991-1-1). The system has been assessed for point loading in relation to both domestic and commercial use, making it suitable for a range of applications.

There may be situations where our Plas-Pro framework items may be more suitable than the DuoSpan, such as furniture framework or areas in wet/marine environments. Manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and they will never suffer from insect attacks or rotting, they are designed for longevity and reliability.

What fixings should be used to fix Millboard decking?

Following extensive trials, we recommend and supply Durafix® stainless steel screws, designed specifically for Millboard - this is a requirement of our limited warranty. There’s no need to pre-drill or countersink Millboard decking, and the unique Lastane® material coating flexes back over the screw-heads, leaving a minimal witness mark. This may be more visible on the lighter colours. Should some of the screws leave larger witness marks, these can be filled - please see our installation guide.

What dimensional tolerances are permitted?

There will always be a slight variance in the board’s dimensions due to the fact that we mould from natural oak, and due to the pressure of the moulding process. Despite this, we calibrate the boards to maintain as consistent a profile as possible. The manufacturing tolerances are: Width: ± 3mm. Length: ± 5mm. Thickness: ± 2mm. The dimensions of the Weathered Oak style may vary more between moulds due to the fact that they are moulded from timeworn oak with minimal changes to the dimensions. When working with the boards, packers may be required to create a flush finish between two boards.

Can I use a fire pit / bowl or patio heater on my deck?

In instances where there is burning wood or coal they will need to sit the fire bowl / brazier onto a porcelain or cement tile / slab. The slabbed area needs to extend about 1m outside the fire bowl / brazier. Any embers or burning material needs to be removed immediately to prevent any damage or lasting marks to the Millboard surface. Patio heaters or infra red heaters are not know to affect the boards.

My boards have just been laid and have a slight oily / shiny finish?

As the boards are a moulded product we use a release agent in the manufacturing process so when the boards are first delivered this release agent is still on the surface. This may result in the boards looking like they have a shiny or waxed surface or have small particles of dirt and water puddling. This release agent will come off the surface within 6-8 weeks due to natural weathering. This process can be accelerated by cleaning the boards with warm soapy water and stiff brush after installation.