Frequently Asked Questions
- All
- AliDeck Boards
- Architects
- Covid-19 Pandemic
- Fire Safety
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Sales
- Training Academy
- Warranty
No. If you wish to close the board ends you will need to purchase AliDeck End Plates when you place your order.
We strongly recommend that fixings are stainless steel grade A2 or A4. Fixings made from other materials such as nickel-plated brass or zinc are not advised.
We strongly recommend that clearance holes are pre-drilled in the decking board. This will help to ensure that the fixing will have minimal interaction with the aluminium and minimise the risk of galvanic corrosion.
We strongly recommend that impact drivers are not used to tighten fixings when installing our products. The use of impact drivers can over-drive the fixing and cause damage to the head, weakening or potentially breaking the fixing altogether.
If we are able to use self-drilling screws on our project to fix to steelwork, what kind can we use?
When you are sure that stainless steel self-drilling screws are suitable for your application, we recommend the following;
- For steelwork less than 3mm thick, coarse-thread self-drilling screws should be used
- For steelwork greater in thickness than 3mm, fine-thread self-drilling screws should be used
It is essential that self-drilling screws with thermal washers are used. The rubber washer provides a thermal break between the screw and the decking board and reduces the risk of cross-contamination between steel and aluminium. Self-drilling screws with washers of the correct size to comfortably fit within the central fixing area of our decking boards are readily available.
Stainless steel self-drilling screws are able to be used to fix AliDeck products to steel framework. However, we strongly recommend that you understand precisely the specification and construction of the steel you are looking to fix AliDeck products to and choose the appropriate fixing to suit your specific situation.
We supply M8 bolts, nuts, and washers to fix our aluminium decking boards to our joists, but only when our boards and joists are purchased together as a decking system. We do not supply fixings when only our boards are purchased.
Call us on 01622 235 672, email us at info@alideck.co.uk or fill in the form on our contact us page to find out more information or to book your training session.
We are unable to cover your expenses such as travel, accommodation, and food and drink throughout the day, so it is advised that you bring a packed lunch with you. Alternatively, an Asda store and a catering van that sells hot beverages are nearby where you can purchase refreshments.
It is advisable for each trainee to have a notepad and a pen to hand so they can jot down notes if required. Everything else, including PPE, will be provided by AliDeck.
We currently allocate one Installation Trainer per session and therefore only train up to 6 persons in one go to ensure each trainee can gain the most from their day. If you require more than 6 employees to be trained, please contact us.
All installation training days will be held at the AliDeck Head Office in Rochester, Kent; the full address is: Unit 27 Rochester Airport Industrial Estate, Laker Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3QX
The installation training day is free to all customers who have purchased AliDeck aluminium decking, the aim of our training academy is to train and support your staff so you can become experts in our product range.
The installation training is completed in a single day and we will take you through the installation of each of our aluminium decking systems and teach you everything you need to know about them. We will work with you and your team for as long as it takes for you to get a comprehensive understanding of the full AliDeck system.
Installation training at the AliDeck Training Academy is offered to our new and existing customers.
All AliDeck decking boards are available in stock lengths of 4m or 6m. We are also able to cut to length for a labour charge.
The depth of the AliDeck Lite Decking Board is 20mm.
The depth of the AliDeck Junior Flat Decking Board is 20mm.
The depth of the AliDeck Junior Decking Board is 20mm.
The depth of the AliDeck Senior Flat Decking Board is 30mm.
The depth of the AliDeck Senior Decking Board is 30mm.
Yes. We have produced our Certifications & Test Evidence digital booklet, which provides an overview of our fire resistance, slip resistance, wear resistance and deflection resistance testing and includes key test result data and certificates. Please visit our downloads page to access it.
Yes. We recommend a 1:80 fall, which is about 0.75 degrees.
There are several ways that we can handle your order, as follows:
Custom Extrusion
For large orders (minimum of 350KG per extrusion) we are able to arrange for custom extrusion to the precise quantity required. These extrusions are then coated and shipped direct to customers.
Stock Lengths
We hold a stock of uncoated, mill-finish decking boards and clips in 4m and 6m lengths, and joists and gutters in 6m lengths. These are then powder-coated according to order and are shipped to customer directly from our coating facility.
Cut To Length
We can cut extrusions to length for our customers. We do this at our warehouse in Rochester, Kent, and deliver from there. This service is subject to a labour charge, which varies according to quantity.
Yes. We have prepared a comprehensive Installation Guide, which is available for download at our Maintenance and Installation page.
All AliDeck aluminium metal decking products can be used in retrofit and replacement projects. We have also developed the AliDeck Lite Board and Lite Joist specifically for this market as a cost-effective, quick-fit, low-profile solution for timber and composite replacement projects.
The AliDeck Senior Balcony Board is 30mm deep. The AliDeck Junior Balcony Board and the AliDeck Lite Balcony Board are 20mm deep.
AliDeck has produced in-depth technical datasheets for all of our aluminium metal decking products. Please visit our downloads page to download them.
Yes. AliDeck has developed an online CPD with our sister company, Able Canopies. The CPD covers Fire Resistance Requirements for Balconies on Residential Buildings and will help architects gain a greater understanding of fire regulations pertaining to balcony elements and the risks of using flammable materials. Please visit our Architect’s Service page to find out more.
Are AliDeck aluminium metal decking products available in RIBA Product Selector, NBS or BIM Library?
Yes. AliDeck metal decking boards, joists and pedestals are available in RIBA Product Selector, NBS Spec and BIM Library. Find out more at our Architect’s Service page.
AliDeck is committed to providing a second-to-none service to architects and specifiers as they specify products for the nation’s new homes. We have developed a central location for our Architect’s Service on our website.
Yes. You can order samples of our aluminium decking products here.
Yes. We have our latest brochure available for download here.
Yes. AliDeck provide a 30-Year Manufacturer Product Warranty for all AliDeck System products. You can view our warranty on our downloads page.
No. A simple hole through a balcony board to affix a door-stop will not void your warranty.
Yes. We recommend attaching a standard door stop using a simple nut and bolt rather than a self-tapping screw, as a nut and bolt would be a more secure option.
No. Galvanic corrosion can occur when aluminium and steel are in close proximity but all AliDeck decking boards are powder-coated on all faces to ensure the aluminium is protected. As an extra precaution, we do offer a fire-retardant tape that could be used as a barrier between the decking boards and steel framework for total peace-of-mind.
Yes. AliDeck is proud to offer the AliDeck Training Academy to help installers understand how to use our products in the best and correct way. Training is carried out at our head office in Rochester, Kent. Please visit our Training Academy page to find out more.
Yes. The AliDeck System has been designed as a configurable family of decking products, including boards, joists, pedestals and accessories, and all elements are inter-compatible. This allows for a wide range in flexibility as AliDeck products can be mixed-and-matched to suit your build-up height requirements.
AliDeck recommend cleaning your decking and its structure with a solution of soapy warm water and a lint-free cloth, before throughly rinsing with clean warm water. No abrasive materials should be used. Never use bleach or similar chemicals to clean AliDeck decking products. Please refer to our installation guide for more information.
AliDeck recommends that all installed elements are cleaned at regular intervals, at least twice a year, to prevent build-up of dirt and substances which may cause damage or create an increased risk of slips and trips. In coastal or industrial settings, we recommend cleaning at least every three months.
No. The AliDeck boards are powder-coated with Qualicoat, a powder-coat process for aluminium in architectural applications, which has a lifespan of 30 years and beyond.
Yes. AliDeck boards have been designed to allow pre-installation cutting, please refer to our installation guide for precise notes.
Yes. We strongly recommend that additional spreader plates or padding are used to distribute the load and prevent penetration of the waterproof membrane. AliDeck cannot be held responsible for penetration damage to existing waterproofing. If unsure of application, please contact us.
We recommend a 5mm gap is allowed between boards, but a minimum of 3mm or a maximum of 8mm is acceptable.
Yes. All AliDeck A-rated boards, joists, pedestals and accessories are fully compliant with all fire-safety legislation, meeting and exceeding all recent updates.
The Euroclass ratings have several elements which each indicate a performance rating. The first element is regards combustibility and is rated from A to F, with A representing non-combustible materials. The second element relates to smoke emission level and is rated 1 to 3, with 1 indicating smoke emission as weak or absent. The third element relates to production of flaming droplets and is rated 0 to 2, with 0 indicating no droplets produced. Finally, the inclusion of “fl” indicates that the products have been specifically tested for flooring applications.
Yes. All elements* of the AliDeck System have been tested for fire safety and are Euroclass A-rated, achieving A2,s1-do and A2fl-s1 certification.
*The AliDeck Class B board is the exception and is recommended for ground-level use only.
AliDeck will continually monitor the situation and update this page accordingly, with major announcements delivered via AliDeck’s news page and social media channels. Additionally, we wholeheartedly recommend that all businesses bookmark and follow the Covid-19 Daily Updates at Accsys Accountants for comprehensive and important news and reflections on the impact of this pandemic, and also join the Kent Business Coronavirus Support Group on Facebook.
Yes. AliDeck, as part of the Milwood Group, is financially secure and has robust crisis-mitigation procedures in effect to ensure our business is not disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, so the AliDeck 30-year Product Warranty will be unaffected.
Yes. AliDeck has had continual conversations with its customers and its supply chain partners as this situation has developed. All areas of the UK economy are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and we found an increasing consensus was that our customers and supply chain either already planned to suspend operations or expected to reach that decision imminently.
AliDeck will resume deliveries at the earliest possible opportunity, in line with Government advice.
No. AliDeck has had a fantastic year of trading and, as part of The Milwood Group, is in a strong financial position. We have taken a careful analysis of our ongoing costs over the coming weeks and months and have taken appropriate steps to ensure that our business will emerge from these unique times in robust health.
No. All in-progress orders at close-of-business 23rd March have either been fulfilled, rescheduled, or temporarily held. AliDeck has been in contact with all parts of its supply chain and has received assurances that all materials on order remain in production and will be delivered to us at the earliest possible opportunity.
No. AliDeck has closely monitored Government advice, reacting accordingly by assigning our staff to work from home. Following the Government update of 23rd March 2020 where the UK moved towards lockdown status, AliDeck temporarily suspended deliveries of our products until these restrictions are lifted. AliDeck remains operational and able to take and process orders as normal in readiness for resumption of business in due course.