Frequently asked questions about Exterpark decking
Answers for architects, specifiers, and hospitality teams on the Shark system, materials, installation, and performance.
Shark system and accessible decking
The Shark system combines a patented Invisible Profile with screwless fixings and full access to individual boards. It creates near-invisible joints and allows a board to be removed and reinstalled without dismantling the surrounding deck. The system also streamlines installation, with screw-in and screwless configurations available.
The screwless Shark clip requires no screws. It is inserted into the dedicated aluminum joist, rotated into position, and slid into the board groove to lock the board in place. The screw-in Shark clip uses screws and can be installed on wood, aluminum, or PVC joists, without the dedicated aluminum joist required by the screwless system. Step-by-step guidance for both is available in our decking installation guides.
Outdoor decking often covers waterproofing, drains, electrical services, pipes, lighting, and other infrastructure that may require maintenance. An accessible decking system lets installers remove only the boards needed for inspection or repair. The same boards can then be reinstalled.
A damaged board can be opened individually with the Shark access tool, replaced if necessary, and reinstalled. There is no need to dismantle the surrounding deck.
Yes. Compatible Shark configurations can be used for decking, wall cladding, and ceiling applications. This carries the same screwless fixing and individual-board accessibility across different architectural surfaces.
Yes. Exterpark registered its first concealed fixing clip, Exterpark Classic, in 1995, and has since developed nine patented fixing technologies. Shark is the most recent, available in screw-in and screwless configurations.
The Wood line uses Magnet S, Exterpark’s own fixing system, engineered around the movement and tolerances of natural timber. The Tech composite collections use Shark.
Invisible Profile and drainage
The Invisible Profile is one of Exterpark’s five patented game changers. The board design reduces the visible gap between boards and keeps the clips hidden. It creates a more continuous surface, prevents a direct view through the deck, and reduces the risk of small objects falling through the joints.
No. The system maintains a 4 mm drainage opening between boards so water can drain and air can circulate. Correct performance also depends on a ventilated substructure, clear drainage paths, and sufficient base slope to prevent standing water.
Choosing a decking material
Choose the material around the priorities of the project.
Natural wood delivers distinctive grain and feel.
Bamboo combines a natural appearance with high density and hardness.
WPC and PVC ranges provide high stability, weather resistance, and low maintenance.
Our team can recommend the right option for the location, climate, use, design, and technical requirements.
The difference is the treatment. Natural bamboo undergoes partial carbonization, followed by compression and phenolic resin impregnation to improve stability and protection against moisture, insects, and outdoor exposure. Carbonized bamboo undergoes full carbonization at a higher temperature, which changes the color and fiber structure, followed by compression. Both finishes are supplied pre-oiled from the factory.
Commercial and hospitality projects
Yes. The ranges cover residential and commercial applications, including hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other hospitality environments. Material, finish, and system options can be matched to traffic, design intent, maintenance strategy, and environmental exposure. See completed installations in our project gallery.
Selected products have been specifically tested for slip resistance, with ratings of up to R12 under the German ramp test (DIN 51130). Spanish projects usually require the Rd classification under UNE-ENV 12633 instead, with Class 3 for exposed exterior areas. The two are different test methods, so specifiers should check which applies to the project and request the corresponding data sheet.
Yes. The range includes options for pool decks and humid environments, with selected products tested for slip resistance and performance under water and moisture exposure. Because resistance varies by material, the product must be selected for the expected level and frequency of exposure.
Surface temperature depends on the colour, the material and the level of direct sun exposure. Lighter tones absorb less heat than darker ones, and ventilated installations run cooler than sealed ones. For pool decks and barefoot areas, our technical team can advise on the combination of finish and substructure that performs best in the climate of the project.
Yes. The range includes solutions for humid environments and demanding outdoor exposure. Product selection and substructure design should reflect salt exposure, moisture levels, drainage, ventilation, and the maintenance requirements of the project.
Installation and structural performance
Yes. On waterproofed roofs and terraces, the substructure can be supported on pedestals placed over the membrane. Where the pedestals need to be secured without piercing it, compatible adhesives can be used in line with the waterproofing, pedestal, and adhesive manufacturers’ specifications.
Yes, provided the existing structure is stable, in good condition, and meets the required support spacing and structural criteria. Depending on the design, joists can be installed over the structure or the screw-in Shark system can be fixed directly to suitable supports. Check our installation guidelines for substructure requirements.
Yes. Specific complete configurations with aluminium joists and pedestals have been tested for loads up to 4,000 kg/m². Capacity depends on the selected product, substructure, support spacing, and project-specific design conditions, so the complete system must be verified with our technical team for each project.
Performance and testing
Yes. The systems have been assessed by three independent bodies: AIDIMME, Tecnalia and Applus. Test certificates are available on request for inclusion in specification documents.
Yes. According to data declared by Exterpark, the fixing systems offer wind resistance in excess of 330 km/h, which is the governing consideration on rooftop terraces, horizontal facades and coastal sites where uplift rather than wear determines the design. Substructure and fixing configuration should be verified with our technical team for each project.
Selected products hold a V-0 classification and Class B under the European reaction-to-fire standard. Classification varies by product, so the relevant technical data sheet should be checked for the application and the regulatory framework of the project.
Service life depends on the material, the exposure and the maintenance regime. Tech boards have been tested through two million compression cycles and operate across a range from -40°C to +90°C. Natural wood and bamboo last longer where a maintenance treatment is applied, though neither fails structurally if the finish is allowed to weather.
Maintenance and color
Maintenance depends on the material. Tech ranges need routine cleaning. Natural wood and bamboo may require maintenance treatments to preserve their original color and finish. Without treatment, natural materials develop a gray patina over time.
All outdoor materials are exposed to UV radiation and weather. Natural wood and bamboo gradually change color and can develop a gray patina if their finish is not maintained. Composite decking offers greater color stability, although some tonal change can occur after prolonged exposure.
Sustainability and LEED
LEED certifies projects, not products, so no decking board is LEED certified in itself. What a material can provide is documented attributes that a project team may use to support specific credit pathways in its own application.
For Exterpark, those include Tech boards with 95% recycled content and 100% recyclable at end of life, bamboo as a rapidly renewable resource with 85% bamboo fibre, and a demountable installation that keeps future reuse possible. Read more about our green practices.
Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that reaches maturity in around five years. The Exterpark Bamboo board contains 85% bamboo fiber and 15% phenolic resin, combining high biogenic content with the density, hardness, and durability required for outdoor applications.