Products

1. What is the main raw material for UPM ProFi?

UPM ProFi is manufactured from recycled material. The principle raw material for the wood plastic composite is self-adhesive label materials made of paper and plastic, which is surplus from UPM's label stock production. Some additional plastic is added to improve product properties.


2. Does UPM ProFi contain any harmful chemicals?

No, UPM ProFi does not contain any harmful chemicals.


3. What are the main advantages compared to traditional wood?

Unique surface

• High-friction surface has very good anti-slip properties, making it a safe platform, even when wet
• Low moisture absorption has a higher natural resistance to stains, mould and warping
• No knots, no twisting, no splits and no cracks
• Being splinter free it is comfortable for bare feet
• Hardwearing to withstand stiletto heels or dragging of decking furniture

 

Environmentally innovative

• Manufactured mainly from recycled material
• Easy to dispose with normal household waste or recycled into energy
• Contains no PVC, no biocides, and has no toxic ingredients that could leak out

 

Good colour stability

• Unlike timber and other wood-based wood plastic composites, UPM ProFi Deck is virtually lignin free
• This property gives the material better natural resistance to the "greying" process caused by ultra violet light

 

Easy to maintain

• UPM ProFi Deck is a low maintenance product
• No need for surface treatment such as sanding, varnishing, painting etc.
• Only periodical cleaning is recommended

 

Design alternatives and creativity

• Fresh colours inspired by nature, a surface texture closer to stone than wood, and the ability to create patterns, shapes and contours
• UPM ProFi Deck allows you to express your style and creativity in a new way.

4. How much does UPM ProFi Deck weigh?

The boards weigh 2.7 kg per metre. The hollow structure design means that UPM ProFi Deck is lighter than many competitive solid WPC decks.


5. What are the standard measurements of UPM ProFi Deck?

The width of a decking board is 15cm and the depth is 2.8cm. The length of a board depends on your retailer. Standard lengths are 3.0m, 3.2m, 4.0m, 4.8m and 5.0m. Custom lengths between 3.0m and 7.0m can be ordered by request.


6. Will the colour of UPM ProFi Deck change?

Tests show that UPM ProFi Deck has significantly better colour stability than many competing decking products. Furthermore, being virtually lignin free, it is much less susceptible to "greying". However, over time some fading will occur: this can be partially reversed with regular pressure hose cleaning.


7. Is UPM ProFi an environmentally friendly product?

Yes, the main raw material of UPM ProFi is paper and plastic which falls as surplus in self-adhesive label production and which would otherwise be disposed of in landfill or incineration. All materials in UPM ProFi are non-toxic to the environment. UPM ProFi can be recycled into energy or even re-ground and converted to new UPM ProFi products.


8. Can UPM ProFi decompose?

No.


9. How do I dispose of UPM ProFi Deck?

UPM ProFi Deck can be disposed with ordinary household waste or turned to energy at waste incineration plants together with other wastes.


10. Do I need special tools to work with UPM ProFi Deck?

UPM ProFi Deck is just as easy to work with as wood – no special tools are needed.


11. Can I mount electrical lighting inside UPM ProFi Deck?

Yes. Please notice the following details:

• Choose the kind of lamp that creates only a little heat
• Drill the holes to the board carefully, without braking its structure
• Choose the smallest possible lamp
• Do not install the lamp between the boards
• Install extra support rails around the lamp

12. Can you attach UPM ProFi Deck boards by gluing?

We do not recommend that you bond boards with glue because gluing will stop the thermo elasticity of the product. All composite decks expand and contract with changes in temperature.

However, if you want to use glue, MS polymer adhesives are suited for the task.


13. Is UPM ProFi Deck slippery when wet?

No – the surface texture ensures a non-skid surface even when wet.


14. How does UPM ProFi Deck react to the temperature changes?

Like all wood plastic composite products, UPM ProFi Deck will expand and shrink in a consistent way with changes in temperature. The basic points to remember are

• the longer the board, the more it will expand and contract
• the general recommendation of 6mm expansion gaps for 3m or longer decking boards is based on the assumption that after installation, the deck temperature may increase by as much as 40C degrees
• if the deck is built on the hottest day of the year, the main movement will be shrinkage, and smaller gaps should be left
• smaller gaps may be left for shorter pieces
• be sure to use UPM ProFi Deck T-Clips which allow for thermal movement
• be sure to leave expansion gaps where the ends of two pieces of decking meet or wherever the deck is built adjacent to a solid object: eg a wall

It is important to read the official UPM ProFi Deck Installation Instructions and UPM ProFi Deck Technical Specification where more detailed information can be found.


15. What is the fire classification of UPM ProFi Deck?

UPM ProFi Deck fulfills the fire class E. Behaviour in fire is similar to untreated wood though it generates very little smoke. UPM ProFi burns calmly and creates no toxic fumes. It does not spread fire sparks or droplets.


16. Can you paint UPM ProFi Deck?

Yes, but we do not recommend it. By painting UPM ProFi, the natural characteristic will change and it becomes slippery.


17. How can you clean UPM ProFi Deck?

The cleaning is very easy - in most cases brushing with warm water is enough. Neutral cleaning agents can be added to the water. Power pressure washing at a pressure not exceeding 100 bar and the jet nozzle not applied closer than 30 cm will improve the result. It is also recommended to clean spills promptly to avoid stains.

18. Can UPM ProFi Deck be installed around swimming pools and in thermal spas or other locations with high humidity conditions?

Yes: UPM ProFi Deck has a very low rate of moisture absorption (less than 2,5% according DIN EN 317) and therefore is highly resistant to decay by fungal growth. However, on all surfaces which have not been treated with toxic biocides, moulds and other fungal growth will grow in conditions of high humidity and warmth.

To minimise such growth we recommend installing UPM ProFi Deck on a well ventilated sub construction which allows the material to dry periodically. Any mould growth that does occur will be primarily on the surface and can easily be cleaned. Building the decking in sections which can be lifted out will facilitate the cleaning and or drying.

19. Harmonizing expansion direction in large terraces

In the middle of each deck board, one screw should be fixed directly through the bottom tongue of the deck board into the support rail. This allows the normal thermal expansion and contraction to happen whilst at the same time ensuring that the board remains in the same place and that the gaps at either end stay constant. This only needs to be done on one edge only. A T-Clip should then be placed over the direct fixed screw to act as a spacer for the neighbouring board.

NB: Deck Boards should be directly fixed to the support rails only in one place: repeated direct fixing will prevent thermal movement and may result in deformation.

In the middle of each deck board, one screw should be fixed directly through the bottom tongue of the deck board into the support rail. This allows the normal thermal expansion and contraction to happen whilst at the same time ensuring that the board remains in the same place and that the gaps at either end stay constant. This only needs to be done on one edge only. The screw head should be flush with the surface of the groove tongue. Then install the UPM ProFi aluminum rail by screwing into the support rail.

NB: Deck Boards should be directly fixed to the support rails only in one place: repeated direct fixing will prevent thermal movement and may result in deformation.

20. Where is the product manufactured?

UPM Profi products are manufactured nearby customer. For the Central European markets UPM ProFi Deck is produced in Bruchsal, Germany and for the Northern European markets in Lahti, Finland.