This is the first step to creating a panel and is by far the most important. If the template is incorrect the finished panel will not fit. Have a look through this guide to help you get the best result.
Here is a great guide to have at hand when cutting and shaping a pre-made mat. This guide walks you through the steps of drawing your template onto the mat and how to get the best finish.
This guide shows you how to lay and glue the decking like an expert. Please make sure you have had a look through this if you plan to fit your panel’s yourself as it can be quite an in depth procedure.
You will require the following items to hand in order to lay your new Teca Tek decking:
1. A pencil,
2. A sharp Stanley type craft knife,
3. A sanding block with 60 and 40 grit paper,
4. A floor roller or rolling pin,
5. A cartridge and long sausage gun,
6. A glue spreader with 3mm teeth,
7. Weights,
8. Off cuts of timber such as Ply or MDF,
9. Masking Tape,
10. Power sander (If you have to flatten non slip areas).
Preparation
Teca Tek is made from a flexible material which will contour to the surface it is adhered to so it is essential that the deck surface should be filled and faired. Steel and Wooden decks will require priming or sealing. Please call us for more details. On GRP decks it is possible to lay Teca Tek decking directly over a shallow non slip surface, however if the non slip is very pronounced it is recommended that these areas are partly flattened using a power sander and 60-80 grit sand paper.
Important
The panels must be laid out flat in a temperature of not less than 15ºC in order to stabilize the material and make it easy to handle.
Method
First remove all fittings and fastenings as required.
Lay Teca Tek panels into position to check for fit and to ensure that the caulking lines line up between panels. If trimming is required this can be done using Stanley type craft knife, and a sanding block with 40 grit sand paper. Once you are content with position and fit draw a pencil line around the outside edge of each panel and mark positioning lines on the panel and deck using masking tape and lines. Remove panels and store flat.
Lightly abrade any shiny areas where deck is to be laid using 40/60 grit sand paper. Remove all dust then de-grease the whole area with a solvent degreaser.
Use a sausage gun squeeze out the adhesive using a back and forward motion to cover an area of approximately one square meter at a time (fig.1)
Using 2mm toothed spreader, comb adhesive lines at a ninety degree to the caulking lines. (fig.2) As a guide, one 600g sausage of adhesive will cover one square meter of deck. This should be done in a temperature between 15ºC and 25ºC to conform to the adhesive speciation and to have the TecaTek panel in the best condition.
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| Fig.1 | Fig.2 | Fig.3 |
Lay each Teca Tek panel into the adhesive using the positioning marks and lines. Start at one end and slowly lower into place using a rolling motion until the complete panel is in place (Fig 3) Using the extension roller/rolling pin or something similar roll from the centre of the panel in an outward direction to role out any air pockets and to bed in the adhesive. Keep checking the positioning marks and lines as the panel could have moved. (Fig.4)
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| Fig.4 | Fig.5 |
Tape down all edges in particular corners and curves, and lay flat ply or MDF off cuts on the surface and weigh down, this will ensure good adhesion (Fig.5) above.
After 24 hours (longer in cool temperatures) remove weighted boards and tape, clean up any excess adhesive using a wooden or plastic spatula. Replace all fittings and fixtures and your new deck is complete!
