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Laying WPC floorboards or tiles without a substructure is relatively easy if you take a few special features into account. However, it is not advisable in every case.

In a nutshell

  • WPC is an easy-care and durable material
  • Laying without a substructure is possible on level ground
  • WPC planks as a click system are particularly suitable for laying without a substructure
  • correct approach is crucial

What is WPC?

This material is a combination of wood and plastic. The abbreviation stands for Wood Plastic Composites. During production, wood fibers or wood flour are mixed into plastic. The ratio of wood to plastic can range from 1:1 to 9:1. The planks made of WPC can be found in numerous different variants. This applies to the color as well as the size and surface structure. As a result, something suitable can be found for every taste.
Apart from WPC planks, tiles are also available, which are particularly suitable as a base on balconies but can also be laid out on a terrace.

Advantages of WPC

The differences between wood, plastic and WPC lies in the combination of advantages and disadvantages. These result, among other things, from the proportion of wood in the material. The benefits of WPC include:

  • easy cleaning
  • lower heating than plastic alone
  • easy to edit
  • easy-care
  • non-slip
  • does not splinter
  • weather resistant

Especially with click systems, WPC floorboards can also be laid without any manual skills or experience. Apart from that, detaching and replacing is also easy and involves little effort. This is ideal if, for example, the balcony of a rented apartment or the terrace of a rented house is to be provided with it.

Notice: The higher the proportion of wood, the more comfortable the floorboards are, even in summer when you walk barefoot on them. Because they get warm, but unlike plastic or stones, they don't get hot.

Laying without substructure

WPC floorboards can also be laid on a level substructure without a substructure. For example, a concrete or gravel base is ideal. A crucial prerequisite for this, however, is that it is a click system.

Notice: In the case of tiles, there is often a plastic grid underneath, which serves as a spacer and offers a certain degree of insulation and better drainage. Insulation can be achieved with floorboards, for example by using anti-vibration mats or weather-resistant foam mats as an underlay.

Instructions for concrete substrate

If there is already a concrete foundation, laying the floorboards or tiles is particularly easy. Even if no substructure is used, the floor must be level or, in the case of terraces, have a gradient of two percent. This means that there must be a height difference of two centimeters over a length of one meter. This allows the water to drain better. This is also recommended for covered terraces. If this is not the case, you can apply a corresponding increase afterwards. After or when laying the WPC planks or tiles, proceed in the following steps:

  1. Clean concrete surface: Removing debris and dirt is important to avoid bumps. In addition, cracks and holes are more noticeable. For example, Kärcher or other high-pressure devices are suitable for cleaning.
  2. Repair damage: So that the floorboards do not wobble later, you must repair existing damage. Loose pieces are to be removed, holes and cracks are to be filled.
  3. Apply underlay: After the newly laid concrete has fully cured, lay out an anti-vibration mat. Alternatively, a rubber mat is also recommended. Both agents are not absolutely necessary, but they extend the life of the floorboards or tiles, prevent abrupt temperature fluctuations and create a more pleasant walking experience. In addition, noise is dampened.
  4. Laying floorboards: There are two possibilities here. Either you use a click system in which the individual elements can be connected and fixed by plugging them into each other. Or they are placed and framed in a frame that fixes them against each other and prevents them from shifting.

Laid on earth

If a concrete foundation does not already exist, you can also lay the planks on earth or gravel. However, even this variant is not possible without the appropriate preparation.
The procedure for this is as follows:

  1. Mark out the dimensions: Use stakes and thread to mark out the dimensions and shape. This frame serves as a guide for the following step.
  2. excavate earth: The earth is dug about a spade deep, creating a shallow pit.
  3. Compact soil: With a rented vibratory plate or a board and weight, you can compact the earth so that a solid base is created.
  4. Fill pit: Fill up about two-thirds of the excavated foundation with coarse gravel. This is followed by a layer of gravel. After filling and smoothing, you should compact the subsoil again. This creates a stable base that also promotes the drainage of rainwater.
  5. Lay the boards: Again, a click system or loose planks in a frame are suitable solutions. In contrast to a substructure, a frame is quick and easy to make. Three boards inserted into the foundation and connected to each other at the corners by angles are already sufficient for this. They prevent the individual elements from moving, but should be used in such a way that they do not represent a tripping hazard. Alternatives are ready-made rails made of metal and lawn edging stones.

frequently asked Questions

Is wood or WPC better?

That depends on personal taste. Wooden floorboards offer a pleasant warmth even after long exposure to the sun and can be designed in very different colors. On the other hand, the care and maintenance is more complex than with the composite material, especially with soft types of wood.

Are WPC tiles a good choice?

As an alternative to the planks, they are wonderfully suitable. They also allow different patterns to be laid.

How do click systems work?

WPC planks with a click system each have a tongue and groove. The tongue is inserted into the groove at a slight angle and the plank is pushed down until it clicks and connects to the other element.

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Category:

Garden design