FAQs

Pros: Aluminium decking is a Class A2 fire rated material with a 60-year design life. This lightweight yet strong material won’t rust or rot and can be coated in a wide range of colours. Aluminium is easily recycled with a low-cost life cycle and is easily machined and handled.

Cons: Aluminium can quickly become hot to the touch when exposed to direct sunlight. Due to it being metal, it is also noisier to walk on or in heavy rainfall compared to other materials, such as our Luxura decking.

Pros:
MyDek’s Luxura Mineral composite decking has a natural timber look with an A1 fire rating for non-combustibility. It provides exceptional slip resistance and is stain resistant with an easy to clean surface.

The hard-wearing mineral composite provides ultimate durability and will never warp, twist or rot. It sounds and feels solid underfoot and maintains a stable temperature range. Luxura can be cut and machined like hardwood, and mechanically fixed to eliminate risk of wind uplift.

Luxura has a 30-year limited warranty and 60-year design life.

Cons:
Due to its material characteristics, it is heavier than aluminium but lighter than stone or concrete. It does require specific blades to cut it but these are readily available on the market.

Please note: natural raw materials do change colour dependant on the climate that the boards are installed in and will also change dependant on weather at the time like any other natural product does.

MyDek delivers throughout the UK and to many destinations worldwide.

Prices vary depending on product and quantity purchased. Please contact our Sales team on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com for accurate pricing for your project. It is also possible to request a quote via the online form.

As a manufacturer, MyDek deal predominantly with larger scale residential developments so small order charges may apply to smaller orders.

Lead times can vary depending on the product specified and current stock levels, however as a guide:

Standard UK delivery of stock items is typically 2-3 days. Non-stock or made-to-order production can vary between 6-12 weeks. Please speak to our sales team to discuss your specific requirements.

Yes, aluminium decking can be easily recycled along with other scrap metals. Luxura can also be easily recycled along with other building masonry such as concrete, bricks etc which are typically sent for crushing and repurposing.

All our decking ranges come with a 30-year warranty.

Whilst all MyDek products are designed for use in high-traffic areas, we would recommend our Luxura range which provides outstanding durability for decking of balconies, terraces and all areas where a high-performance surface is required.

Examples of projects where MyDek non-combustible decking systems have been installed can be viewed on the Projects page of our website. We regularly update this page with new case studies so be sure to check back regularly!

All our products are rigorously tested to ensure that they comply with slip-resistance standards.

The natural character of Luxura’s mineral composite material has outstanding slip resistance properties and is resistant against frost, algae and moss growth.

Aluminium decking, being a metal, has a tendency to sound metallic underfoot and can resonate in heavy rain. If acoustic values are a concern, we recommend specifying our Luxura range, which sounds solid underfoot, similar to timber decking.

MyDek products are manufactured to the highest of standards and with long-term performance in mind. Our aluminium decking uses super-durable powder coating materials which have enhanced UV resistance (known as Florida 3-year UV rating). Over years it is normal for some very slight fading to take place – especially if exposed to high levels of direct sunlight. This should not be to a level that would be a cause for concern though.

Luxura mineral composite decking also offers outstanding UV resistance, being made from natural mineral components and without any artificial pigments. We have not had any reports of fading.

Whilst aluminium decking (like many materials) can get hot in direct sunlight, our Luxura mineral composite decking is remarkably stable in extremes of weather and remains at a stable temperature whether hot or cold. It will, of course, rise and fall with extremes of hot and cold but it remains much cooler in hot weather and less cold in cold weather than other decking materials on the market. Luxura will remain comfortable for walking in bare foot even after being exposed to direct sun for long periods of time.

Our aluminium and mineral composite decking systems have been extensively tested to ensure outstanding load bearing capacity and resistance to scratches and wear. Our decking systems have a 30-year warranty and 60-year design life.

Please note: these natural raw materials do change colour dependant on the climate that the boards are installed in and will also change dependant on weather at the time like any other natural product does.

We offer cleat extenders which can fit into our standard cleat sizes to increase the height. For higher builds from 300mm upwards we do a platform build using standard box rails, cleats and joiner plates.

Check out this video: MyDek Platform Installation Animation – YouTube

Yes we have done this in the past for Luxura and aluminium decking. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to discuss a solution for your project.

Check out this video for an example: MyDek Access Panel Video – Youtube

We have done privacy screens in a number of styles for our customers. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to discuss a solution for your project.

Yes. Luxura uses a waste by-product called fly-ash from industrial production which otherwise would have gone to landfill.

Luxura expansion and contraction is negligible compared with the aluminium BoxRail subframe although a 2mm gap is recommended for ventilation.

Luxura is a cementitious board composed of a patented formula of natural minerals, cellulose fibres, and recycled fly ash. The material is built up in circa 40 ultra-thin layers, then compressed, embossed with the woodgrain and cured in an autoclave under high heat and pressure to form a dense structure with consistent mechanical properties and dimensional stability.

We offer cleat extenders which can fit into our standard cleat sizes. For higher builds up to 600mm we do a platform build using standard box rails, cleats and joiner plates. For 600-1500mm, we would look to include cross braces.

For further support please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

Luxura is a dense material that weighs approx. 1500kgs per cubic metre. This means that the decking boards at 20mm thick weigh approximately 29kgs/sqm. If you are concerned about the weight of it when using it on a remediation project, refer to our whitepaper for further details (WP-LUX-1025_Structural Load Implications of Luxura in Balcony Remediation)

PPC stands for Polyester Powder Coat.  Following the extrusion process, the aluminium decking profiles are what is known as mill finish.  Mill finish is bare aluminium.  Bare aluminium will oxidise creating a white powdery finish called aluminium oxide.  Protection of the surface can be achieved by painting via a process known as powder coating.  Coating of aluminium profiles such as aluminium decking is more complex than coating of steel, and aluminium decking PPC coating should be carried out to EN 12206-1 processes.

Therefore, powder coatings are applied to prevent corrosion, improve slip resistance and improve the appearance of the aluminium decking profiles.

Approved Document B, Section 10: Resisting fire spread over external walls currently states:

“any building with a storey at least 18m above ground level which contains one or more dwellings; an institution; or a room for residential purposes, requires all materials which become part of an external wall or specified attachment to achieve class A2 – s1, d0 or class A1. These materials include balconies, solar panels, brise soleil, greenwalls and other similar permanent attachments.”

 

The Euroclass system compares ignitability, flame spread, heat release, smoke production and propensity for producing flaming droplets/particles. The system is accepted by all European Union States (mandatory where there is a Harmonised Product Standard) and includes seven classification levels, from A1 to F. It states that products achieving A1 and A2 classification are defined as non-combustible under Regulations.

Fire Certification to EN 13501-1 assures that all MyDek products are classified as non-combustible to a minimum of A2-s1,d0 including validation for flooring category. If you want to be future-proof, check out our A1 fire-rated Luxura mineral composite decking.

Uncoated aluminium parts are deemed to satisfy the Reaction to Fire A1 classification without testing as per Commission Decision 96/603/EC.

The requirement for fire testing is contained in Building Regulations Part B, regulation 7.2:

There is a further reference in the UK legislation to the European decision https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/1996/603/pdfs/eudn_19960603_2003-06-12_en.pdf as amended by https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2000/605/pdfs/eudn_20000605_adopted_en.pdf which states that aluminium is exempt from testing as it is deemed to be Classified Without Further Testing (CWFT).

A Declaration of Performance (DoP) is only for products where a Harmonised Product Standard exists. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to request one.

Is it within 5km of the coast?

  • BS EN 12206-1:2021 defines environmental categories C1-C5. C5 would apply to Brighton seafront, for example. C4 would apply to a village in Cornwall, 2km from the coast. The level of protection needed is determined by the categories.
  • Major UK warranty providers, such as Premier Guarantee and LABC Warranty define coastal locations in two tiers – up to 500m and 500m to 5km and have requirements for each.

Some considerations:

  1. Corrosion can cause much faster weakening of steel components, so they need to be well-specified with additional safety factors e.g. an isolation barrier or better grade coatings.
  2. High wind speeds means that the risk of wind uplift of decking is far higher. MyDek can support with wind uplift assessments.
  3. Drainage can be a bigger problem. Wind-borne debris and higher rainfall can lead to blockages. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to discuss a solution for your project.

In the UK the regulation BS 5395-1 specified that walkways must support expected loads, including pedestrian traffic and emergency use.

Ensure substructures are robust and capable of withstanding loads without excessive deflection.

Public walkways have higher loadings than private or ‘shared private’ walkways.

In addition to this, the Building Regulations Approved Document B means that you must ensure walkways serve as safe fire exits with clear and unobstructed paths.

Building materials used for escape routes must have an REI rating. The rating will be the number of minutes that the material will endure without exceeding limits.

Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to discuss a solution for your project.

The BROOF(t4) rating is a fire classification for roofing systems, indicating that the system has been tested and proven to resist the spread of fire. This rating ensures that the roofing system can withstand external fire exposure without contributing to the spread of flames, making it suitable for use in areas where fire safety is a critical concern. It is analogous to a class B rating on a façade, and as such, an A1 or A2-s1,d0 system such as the MyDek decking systems can be safely installed on top. It relates to the uppermost part of a roof surface.

Typically, the BROOF(t4) rating is achieved by using a 50mm layer of ballast, or other non-combustible surface finish. MyDek can provide ballast trays for your project, just get in touch on +44 3300 94 94 11 or sales@mydek.com. We’ve often been asked if the decking forms this protective layer but, no, there needs to be a BROOF(t4) surface underneath the decking. The decking, because of the space underneath and the gaps in it, cannot form the BROOF(t4) surface in itself. However, because of it’s A rated non-combustible nature, there’s no reason why it can’t be placed on top of the BROOF(t4) surface. 

Yes, we can support with a comprehensive set of calculations but will need a site engineer to ensure adequacy for the specific location.

Yes. We have undertaken testing with white, black and red power coating for all our aluminium decking boards. Polyester Powder Coating (PPC) in red is the worst case scenario because of the high organic content. This means that our fire certificates have EXAP (extended application) certification to cover any PPC colour within the Interpon D2525 Structura range.

Please see the individual product pages for the certification packs which include all fire certificates.

Our calculation methodologies have been verified by qualified structural engineers and sufficient detail is given to be defensible but will need to be checked on a site-by-site basis by the site structural engineer.

The MyDek Rapid Access System provides a safe, a time-efficient and cost-effective method to facilitate the refurbishment of balconies without the need for scaffolding or accessing the balcony area through the apartment.

For more information about how this could work for your refurbishment project please contact our friendly team on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

MyDek supplies several support systems to help with installation. These include:

  • The BoxRail Deck Support System – a durable, non-combustible, aluminium decking support system designed for balconies and terraces and compatible with all decking systems from MyDek
  • The SpeedRail System – a low-profile top hat rail designed to ease installation on heavy gauge steel.
  • The J-Clipâ„¢ Tile-Lock Restraint System – an innovative mechanism to enable the restraint of porcelain tiles against wind uplift
  • Rail accessories including support cleats, cleat extensions, cleat mats, screws and more.

MyDek offers a cut-to-length service which typically saves up to 20% wastage. For more details, please get in touch with our Sales team.

Yes, this is not a problem. Simply remove the fixings and lift the boards that need to be replaced. Sometime you may have to lift more than one board to make replacement easier.

MyDek’s innovative drainage channel helps ensure that water is directed away from balcony areas below and maximises privacy by closing off sight lines between the balcony boards. Drainage channels are available for the Aspira and Luxura ranges.

MyDek supplies a range of accessories including edge trims, drainage channels, furniture anchors, spreader plates, isolation barriers, wind ballast trays, joist hangers and much more.

As with all decking surfaces, regular removal of loose dirt by sweeping with a soft brush is recommended. If the decking is particularly dirty then washing the boards down with a warm water and mild detergent should be sufficient. Stubborn marks such as grease may need spot cleaning with a more concentrated domestic cleaner. For aluminium decking, best results are achieved by mopping off with a microfibre cloth or mop.

Luxura mineral composite decking can be cleaned as above and if exceptionally dirty may be cleaned with a pressure washer, again, finishing off with a microfibre mop. For stubborn marks and stains we recommend an eco-friendly cleaner which you can purchase online here: https://delphiseco.com/products/stone-and-masonry-cleaner-2ltr

Luxura can be cut using a standard chopsaw or circular saw fitted with a PCD (polycrystalline diamond) blade similar to those used for cutting fibre-cement products.

We recommend: Dart PCD Fibre Cement Board Cutting Blade

A jigsaw with a multipurpose blade can also be used. The product can also be drilled and screwed if required.

We have found that running blades and drill bits at a lower speed is actually more effective than high speed as this avoids excessive friction heat occurring and allows the blades to cut more efficiently.

For aluminium decking, we can send some small paint touch up spray cans.

Luxura mineral composite is extremely hard wearing and resistant to scratching. It is also the same colour all the way through and therefore, if it does get scratched, it is not very visible. Minor scratches can be removed by lightly sanding the surface with abrasive paper. You could then apply a coating of Everbuild 402 Water Seal with a soft lint-free cloth.

Chips or heavy surface damage may require boards to be replaced or the damaged section cut off the board length.

No. Luxura Mineral Composite boards are very high density and do not need any additional treatment to exposed or cut ends, although some reversible discolouration can result from water absorption.

Yes, it will retain it’s appearance and performance for much longer than wood plastic composite decking due to the absence of organic pigments.

The BS 8579:2020 recommends that

“as-built gaps between planks or slabs should be between 6 mm to 8 mm to achieve effective drainage whilst minimizing the risk of discomfort to wheelchair users (see Clause 9). As-built gaps of 10 mm to 12 mm should be maintained around the perimeter of the pedestrian surface to facilitate good drainage.”

The table below can assist with understanding the limits:

Please note that these figures are conservative so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our technical department on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to discuss the details for your specific project.

Our BoxRail & Cleat Support System is designed to make this easy: BoxRails and cleats both have grooves on their sides which interact with each other and allow easy height adjustment at each cleat location.

Generally, persistent ponding is a design/installation defect rather than an ‘acceptable condition’. Guidance for balcony design and warranty providers commonly stresses that standing water is not acceptable and that surfaces should fall away from the building.

The pendulum test is widely used and referenced in UK slip guidance, and HSE notes it as the best way to measure slip resistance when you want to know for sure. Ask for results relevant to wet conditions and the expected direction(s) of travel.

Not always. Ridges can improve grip in certain directions, but they can also trap water. Trapped water can freeze in winter, creating localised slippery areas. That’s why evaluating directional performance and real maintenance conditions matters.

Chloride salts can break down aluminium’s protective oxide film and contribute to corrosion and pitting under certain exposure conditions.

We can introduce you to installers for your projects. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

Yes, we can provide some typical layout drawings and we can also provide bespoke ones for your projects. Please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com to arrange this.

Site visits can be arranged when needed. For example, for a site survey, installation training, or to review more complex project details.

If a physical visit isn’t essential, we offer a WhatsApp video call with a Technical Consultant as an initial first step.

To get a visit or call booked in, please get in touch on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

That’s something called surface tension. Water molecules like to stick to each other more than sticking to the surface it’s sitting on – this is especially the case on clean and shiny surfaces.

Over time, small scuffs, dirt and scratches will reduce this tendency as there is something now for the water molecules to stick to. The water flattens out easier and drains off easier.

So, this is a temporary thing – it will soon disperse.

No, due to its natural woodgrain effect and the board surface texture, Luxura does not have the same issue of water beading as Aluminium decking.

There is no restriction to the placement of BoxRail in relation to a slope (perpendicular or parallel is fine). Cleats will simply need to be fixed at a shorter height or smaller cleats chosen, as you go higher up the slope.

In theory, the BoxRails could fall over if placed high enough to exceed the tip angle, but in practice, the angle is shallow enough. In addition, fixing the decking then locks everything in place to prevent any instability.

We’ve had the system installed on thousands of sqm of tapered insulation schemes over the years and have always successfully orientated the BoxRail in both directions.

No, it is best to float on top, weighted down by its own weight or additional ballast if required. Wind ballast trays and other anchoring systems are available.

Various methods are available, but probably the simplest is ballasting. Contact us for a project specific evaluation on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

10mm is specified by BS8579 around the whole edge of the balcony. For Luxura we would recommend 2-3mm to be left at the end of each board. Aluminium needs 5-6mm.

We can provide a bespoke trim to fit around it; this will cover up the gaps and create a smoother finish to the decking.

Decking is designed to withstand a 2.0kN point load and 2.5kN/sqm distributed load. Avoid exceeding point load limits by using load spreaders and do not exceed the distributed load.

Samples of our decking range can be ordered here. Please note all aluminium decking samples come with a free colour swatch card.

Yes, CAD drawings for all of our decking products can be downloaded from the individual product pages and our Specification page.

Technical data and installation guides are available to download via the individual product pages and our Specification page. If you require further support, you can get in touch with our friendly team on 03300 94 94 11 or email sales@mydek.com.

CPDs can be booked on our website here.

MyDek offers three informative CPD (Continuing Professional Development) seminars designed to help specifiers, developers and consultants keep up to date with industry changes, overcome potential challenges and maximise project success.

  1. Navigating the Building Safety Act
  2. The Essentials of Class A Decking
  3. Accelerating BSR Approvals (available for booking from April 2026)