Solid Boards or Hollow Boards - Which to Choose for My Project?

Solid Boards: Robustness at the Service of Decking

Essential Technical Characteristics

Solid boards are distinguished by their massive design which gives them superior mechanical properties:

• High linear mass (from 3.2 to 4.6 kg/ml depending on models) ensuring excellent stability
• Brinell hardness reaching 59.6 MPa for maximum impact resistance
• Structure without cavities allowing better distribution of mechanical stresses
• Optimized load resistance up to 500 kg/m²

Advantages for Deck Use

The solid design offers direct benefits for deck applications:

• Superior slip resistance (R11 to R13 depending on finishes) thanks to material stability
• Excellent finish retention over time, whether grooved, smooth, or textured
• Maximum durability certified by exterior use class 4 rating
• 25-year warranty testifying to the reliability of this massive construction

Why Silvadec Doesn't Use Hollow Boards for Decks

Silvadec's technical expertise in composite decking led to deliberately excluding hollow boards for exterior decking for several major technical reasons:

• Structural fragility: The hollow structure of hollow boards makes them particularly vulnerable to mechanical stresses. On a deck subjected to heavy loads (garden furniture, heavy traffic), these boards risk progressively deforming.
• Thermal instability: The interior cavities of hollow boards create differential expansion zones. Exposed to outdoor temperature variations, these boards can undergo deformations or twisting affecting deck flatness.
• Impact sensitivity: Without the support of a solid mass, the surface of hollow boards is more vulnerable to impacts and wear. Damage is often irreparable, compromising installation durability.

Based on this technical assessment, Silvadec exclusively favors solid boards for its composite decks, thus guaranteeing optimal durability and superior mechanical resistance, essential for quality exterior decking.

Hollow Solutions for Fencing: Composite and Aluminum

Limitations of Traditional Solid Wood Fences

Field experience demonstrates that traditional fences present several major disadvantages that impact their durability and performance over time:

• Rapid degradation of solid wood: Without regular treatment, natural wood fences undergo marked deterioration when faced with weather conditions. The material grays quickly, can crack under the effect of humidity variations, and remains vulnerable to fungal attacks and wood-boring insects.
• Maintenance constraints: Wood fences require time-consuming and costly maintenance (staining, anti-parasite treatment) that must be renewed regularly.

Faced with these limitations, Silvadec's composite wood and aluminum solutions provide a durable response, combining the nobility of wood with optimal resistance to exterior constraints, without requiring special maintenance.

Composite Hollow Board: The Robustness-Lightness Alliance

The hollow composite design was specifically developed to meet fencing requirements:

• Optimized unit weight (4.28 kg for a 150 mm board) facilitating handling
• Excellent dimensional stability with low expansion coefficient (αL < 29 x 10-6.°C-1)
• Wind resistance up to 100 km/h thanks to its lightened structure
• Calibrated dimensions (21 x 150 x 1783 mm) for simplified installation

Aluminum Hollow Board: Lightness at the Service of Design

The sandblasted thermolacquered aluminum alternative offers specific technical characteristics:

• Minimal weight of 2.4 kg per board for ultra-light handling
• Excellent mechanical resistance (breaking stress Fm > 270 MPa)
• Optimized thermal expansion coefficient (αL < 23.3 x 10-6.°C-1)
• High precision dimensional tolerances (+/- 0.5 mm)

Specific Advantages of Aluminum

• Versatile installation: "full" or ventilated mounting with 15 mm spacers
• Total compatibility with range decorative elements and accessories
• Possibility to mix with composite boards on the same panel
• Minimal maintenance with 10-year warranty
• 100% recyclable material with durable sandblasted thermolacquered finish

Selection Guide: Which Technology for Which Use?

For Decks

Solid technology is recommended for:

• High-traffic areas requiring superior mechanical resistance
• Applications requiring excellent slip resistance
• Intensive residential and professional projects
• Installations where durability is paramount

For Fencing

Two hollow technologies are available according to your needs:

The Composite Solution

• Fence projects up to 1.80 m height requiring excellent durability
• Installations in humid or exposed environments
• Wind-exposed applications
• Construction sites where quality/price ratio optimization is sought

The Aluminum Solution

• Projects requiring ultra-light handling
• Installations requiring maximum dimensional precision
• Designs seeking contemporary appearance with ventilation possibilities
• Environments requiring minimal maintenance

Solid Boards: Robustness at the Service of Decking

Essential Technical Characteristics

Solid boards are distinguished by their massive design which gives them superior mechanical properties:

• High linear mass (from 3.2 to 4.6 kg/ml depending on models) ensuring excellent stability
• Brinell hardness reaching 59.6 MPa for maximum impact resistance
• Structure without cavities allowing better distribution of mechanical stresses
• Optimized load resistance up to 500 kg/m²

Advantages for Deck Use

The solid design offers direct benefits for deck applications:

• Superior slip resistance (R11 to R13 depending on finishes) thanks to material stability
• Excellent finish retention over time, whether grooved, smooth, or textured
• Maximum durability certified by exterior use class 4 rating
• 25-year warranty testifying to the reliability of this massive construction

Why Silvadec Doesn't Use Hollow Boards for Decks

Silvadec's technical expertise in composite decking led to deliberately excluding hollow boards for exterior decking for several major technical reasons:

• Structural fragility: The hollow structure of hollow boards makes them particularly vulnerable to mechanical stresses. On a deck subjected to heavy loads (garden furniture, heavy traffic), these boards risk progressively deforming.
• Thermal instability: The interior cavities of hollow boards create differential expansion zones. Exposed to outdoor temperature variations, these boards can undergo deformations or twisting affecting deck flatness.
• Impact sensitivity: Without the support of a solid mass, the surface of hollow boards is more vulnerable to impacts and wear. Damage is often irreparable, compromising installation durability.

Based on this technical assessment, Silvadec exclusively favors solid boards for its composite decks, thus guaranteeing optimal durability and superior mechanical resistance, essential for quality exterior decking.

Hollow Solutions for Fencing: Composite and Aluminum

Limitations of Traditional Solid Wood Fences

Field experience demonstrates that traditional fences present several major disadvantages that impact their durability and performance over time:

• Rapid degradation of solid wood: Without regular treatment, natural wood fences undergo marked deterioration when faced with weather conditions. The material grays quickly, can crack under the effect of humidity variations, and remains vulnerable to fungal attacks and wood-boring insects.
• Maintenance constraints: Wood fences require time-consuming and costly maintenance (staining, anti-parasite treatment) that must be renewed regularly.

Faced with these limitations, Silvadec's composite wood and aluminum solutions provide a durable response, combining the nobility of wood with optimal resistance to exterior constraints, without requiring special maintenance.

Composite Hollow Board: The Robustness-Lightness Alliance

The hollow composite design was specifically developed to meet fencing requirements:

• Optimized unit weight (4.28 kg for a 150 mm board) facilitating handling
• Excellent dimensional stability with low expansion coefficient (αL < 29 x 10-6.°C-1)
• Wind resistance up to 100 km/h thanks to its lightened structure
• Calibrated dimensions (21 x 150 x 1783 mm) for simplified installation

Aluminum Hollow Board: Lightness at the Service of Design

The sandblasted thermolacquered aluminum alternative offers specific technical characteristics:

• Minimal weight of 2.4 kg per board for ultra-light handling
• Excellent mechanical resistance (breaking stress Fm > 270 MPa)
• Optimized thermal expansion coefficient (αL < 23.3 x 10-6.°C-1)
• High precision dimensional tolerances (+/- 0.5 mm)

Specific Advantages of Aluminum

• Versatile installation: "full" or ventilated mounting with 15 mm spacers
• Total compatibility with range decorative elements and accessories
• Possibility to mix with composite boards on the same panel
• Minimal maintenance with 10-year warranty
• 100% recyclable material with durable sandblasted thermolacquered finish

Selection Guide: Which Technology for Which Use?

For Decks

Solid technology is recommended for:

• High-traffic areas requiring superior mechanical resistance
• Applications requiring excellent slip resistance
• Intensive residential and professional projects
• Installations where durability is paramount

For Fencing

Two hollow technologies are available according to your needs:

The Composite Solution

• Fence projects up to 1.80 m height requiring excellent durability
• Installations in humid or exposed environments
• Wind-exposed applications
• Construction sites where quality/price ratio optimization is sought

The Aluminum Solution

• Projects requiring ultra-light handling
• Installations requiring maximum dimensional precision
• Designs seeking contemporary appearance with ventilation possibilities
• Environments requiring minimal maintenance

Silvadec Product Range Comparison Table for Decks and Fences