Wood plastic flooring (composite flooring) is a material used for outdoor flooring, made of 55-60% wood powder, 30-35% HDPE plastic and 10% additives. The product has outstanding properties such as moisture resistance, scratch resistance, limiting the impact of weather, beautiful like wood but termite resistant, creating a comfortable and sustainable living space for users.

The construction of wood plastic flooring requires high precision and technique. According to statistics from reputable sources that Kosmos has researched, 80% of outdoor wood plastic flooring projects have quality problems due to the following 6 common mistakes:

1. The base for wood plastic flooring does not have a slope to drain water.
2. The distance between the wood plastic floor and the base is less than 30mm.
3. The gap between the wood plastic floor and the wall is less than 15mm.
4. Do not use plastic dowels when constructing outdoor wood plastic floors.
5. Do not install double frame system when connecting floor.
6. Do not leave a gap between the two ends of the beam.

To optimize construction costs and extend product life from 10 to 15 years, customers can refer to the following 5 construction tips compiled by Kosmos:

1. Use striped or 3D patterned Laminate flooring in places exposed to direct sunlight and clean regularly.
2. Wood plastic flooring should be installed in a 50-50 staggered pattern (floor boards are installed ½ offset) to increase the connection between the boards.
3. It is recommended to use accessories to cover the edges of laminate flooring.
4. Avoid using iron rods, iron screws to build plastic wood floors to prevent rust.
5. To install the plastic wood brace at the right angle position, it is necessary to cut the brace at an angle of 45 degrees.

“Properly installed wood-plastic decking can last 10 to 15 years, making it a sustainable choice for outdoor applications,” according to the Composite Decking Manufacturers Association (CDMA, 2024) research report “Durability of Composite Decking.”

The foundation for the construction of plastic wood floors has no slope to drain water

Laminate flooring is an attractive construction item in outdoor areas such as balconies, gardens, swimming pools, etc., where it is exposed to direct sunlight and high humidity.

Based on the construction experience of more than 500 Kosmos agents, The base must have a slope of 2-3% to ensure effective drainage, avoid water stagnation affecting the life of the project.

“To allow water to drain easily, the floor support frame must also be installed along the slope.”

The distance between the wood plastic floor and the base is less than 30mm.

In order for the building to have ventilation, it is imperative to install plastic wood floors on the skeleton. Absolutely, do not fix the floor directly to the floor. The minimum height of the frame is 30mm. Just make sure Distance between wood plastic floor bar and base ≥30mm You can use wood-plastic beams, stainless steel bars or galvanized square iron bars for construction.

The distance between the plastic wood floor and the wall is less than 15mm

Wood plastic flooring is a material that contains both plastic and wood in its structure. Therefore, in the face of harsh sunlight and heavy rain, wood plastic flooring is difficult to avoid the phenomenon of expansion. To create the best conditions for the floor, The distance between the floor and the wall must be ≥15mm.

“As mentioned at the beginning, the construction of wood plastic flooring must have ventilation. Therefore, leaving gaps between the floor boards or between the floor and the wall is extremely necessary. Not only does it help the floor not warp due to expansion, but the gaps also help water flow down to the subfloor.”

Do not use plastic dowels when constructing plastic wood floors outdoors

For constructions with unstable temperature conditions such as exteriors, large areas and no roof, we should use plastic pins for construction. Plastic pins also ensure the appropriate distance between floor bars. 6 - 8 mm.

Do not install the double skeleton system when connecting the floor

For large-scale projects, where 3-meter-long wood-plastic floor panels are not enough, floor splicing is inevitable. At the splicing point, the two ends of the floor panels should be placed directly on the frame to protect the floor from breaking.

"Note: The position of connecting rods (without using connecting pins) needs to be spaced ≥5mm. "

Do not leave the gap between the two ends of the rod

Under the heat of the sun, galvanized iron bars, stainless steel bars or wood-plastic beams are in the same situation as the floor, they will expand under a certain rate. From the actual errors in the works compiled by Kosmos, at the connection between 2 beams, we need to leave a gap of about 15 mm.

>>> Mistakes to avoid when installing outdoor wood plastic floors:

5 tips when constructing plastic wood floors that you need to know

According to recommendations from outdoor wood plastic flooring manufacturers compiled by Kosmos, to avoid unwanted problems, Customers need to note the following 5 construction tips:

1. In places exposed to direct sunlight and frequently cleaned, we should use striped or 3D-patterned wood-plastic floors. Because the grain is embossed on the surface, it will minimize fading.
2. Wood plastic flooring should be installed in a 50-50 staggered pattern (floor boards are installed ½ offset) to increase the connection between the boards. This also increases aesthetics, saves materials, increases the durability of the floor, and is easy to construct.
3. Accessories should be used to cover the edges of the wood plastic floor to make it waterproof, protect the floor and make the floor easy to clean.
4. Avoid using iron bars and iron screws to construct wood plastic floors. Because when iron screws are used outdoors, they will rust, thereby reducing the life of the floor and affecting the aesthetics of the project.
5. To install wood plastic strip at right angles, cut the strip at right angles. 45 degrees to increase the beauty and longevity of the molding and the project.

Related question

What are the correct technical steps for installing outdoor wood plastic flooring?

Process Construction of outdoor wood plastic flooring according to the right technique will include the following 6 steps:

• Step 1: Prepare tools and materials to construct outdoor plastic wood floors.
• Step 2: Surface treatment for outdoor plastic Laminate flooring.
• Step 3: Installing skeleton for plastic wood floors.
• Step 4: Proceed to install the first bar.
• Step 5: Install the remaining plastic wood floor bars until completed.

>>> Instructions for properly constructing outdoor plastic wood floors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qxCmXMEcCI

Where to buy quality outdoor wood plastic flooring?

Kosmos is one of the distributors outdoor plastic Laminate flooring Quality is guaranteed for 3-5 years with a warehouse of up to 10.000m². Kosmos warehouse is always updated, pioneering in interior and exterior decoration trends with a new material line of wood plastic launched since 2019.

Kosmos regularly supplies decorative materials to agents, contractors, material businesses, etc. across 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam. If customers are in need of using wood plastic flooring or want to learn more about interior and exterior decorative materials, please contact Kosmos at 0932 067 388 for a quick answer.

Kosmos warehouse has a large capacity of up to 10.000m²

Kosmos outdoor wood plastic flooring project in Light Wood color

Avoiding common mistakes such as not creating a drainage slope, inappropriate installation distance, not using plastic pins, not installing a double frame and not leaving expansion space will help the wood plastic floor project to be durable and beautiful and ensure the quality of the project.