Material sourcing guide

Composite decking boards and related deck assemblies

Request composite decking by deck zone and specified profile, not as a generic deck package. Boards, trims, clips and substructure interfaces lead different commercial lines, so separate them in the RFQ to keep surface, edge and supporting works clear.

Grooved brown composite decking boards with a hollow cut-end sample.
Grooved brown composite decking boards with a hollow cut-end sample.
01 / Materials & uses

Start with the right material groups.

Deck boards and profile selection

Identify whether each board has a solid or hollow profile and a capped or uncapped surface. State usable width, thickness, finish and installation direction from the approved layout.

Trims, clips and edge conditions

Separate fascias, edge trims, starter and finishing clips, and corner details by deck boundary. Identify where edge treatment changes at steps, walls and planting edges.

Substructure and fixing interfaces

Coordinate decking items with joist or bearer material, pedestals, fixing screws and connection geometry. Show the deck zone and connection interface so suppliers can separate supply from installation items.

02 / Package boundaries

A material price is only part of the package.

Your material schedule
01Deck boards and profile selection
02Trims, clips and edge conditions
03Substructure and fixing interfaces

One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.

Included materials

Include composite deck boards, edge trims, fascias, clips and accessory profiles by measured deck area and linear boundary. Keep each deck zone separately identified.

Connections & interfaces

Clarify interfaces with joists, pedestals, wall connections, drainage outlets and adjacent paving. Confirm which elements the supplier prices and which are supplied by others.

Confirm separately

Confirm lifting, unloading, temporary storage, cutting, installation and waste removal separately. Supply of boards does not automatically include forming, installation or substructure supply.

03 / A comparable request

Six details that make offers clearer.

Product designation and profile
State the specified composite product name or code, thickness, width, length, profile type and required finish. Attach the approved board reference only.
Deck zone, direction and layout
Name each deck location and installed board direction. Provide the deck area and linear edge take-off for board and trim coverage.
Color, texture and batch intent
Give the approved color and finish reference, including any specific texture or visible face requirement. Ask the supplier to state how batch consistency is managed.
Clips, fasteners and trims
List starter clips, intermediate clips, end trims, fascias and corner parts against each boundary. Specify the fixing method or request the approved accessory.
Substructure interface requirements
Share the approved joist or bearer spacing, frame direction and pedestal details. Ask for product documentation confirming that the offered board and fixing system suit that arrangement.
Delivery and waste
Agree packaging, board protection, delivery phases and offcut handling. Confirm which party removes board cutting waste and temporary packaging.
Illustrative request lines
Item & descriptionQuantity
CD-01Composite deck boards for terrace T1 in approved surface finish and profile; measured net deck area.340
CD-02Specified edge and step profiles for planter boundary and stair edge; profile references and linear quantities per deck edge schedule.85 m

Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.

04 / Compare the whole offer

Three checks before you decide.

Board profile and coverage basis

Compare usable board width, supplied lengths and the stated coverage calculation. Distinguish net installed deck area from supplied board quantity and cutting allowance.

Board versus complete deck assembly

Check whether clips, trims, fascias, fixings and substructure materials are inside or outside the quoted line. Do not combine them into one deck rate.

Delivery and installation limits

Review packaging, board protection, delivery sequence and who forms, cuts, fixes and removes waste. Ask each supplier to state what is excluded.

05 / Practical questions

Details worth clarifying early.

Should clips and trims be priced with the boards?

Keep boards, clips, edge trims and fascias as visible lines. This lets you compare accessory coverage and reduce confusion across different clip counts.

How should board quantities be stated?

Use net deck face area by zone and linear boundary for trims. Avoid ordering by delivered bundle count before the coverage basis is agreed.

07 / Your next step

Turn your material schedule into a request.

Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.