5 Critical Mistakes People Make When Buying & Installing WPC Planks (And How to Avoid Them)

WPC Plank Dubai have a reputation for being “foolproof,” but talk to any contractor who’s fixed botched installations and they’ll tell you: there’s plenty of room to mess up — and it’s usually expensive. Here are the five biggest (and most common) mistakes we see in 2025, plus exactly how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Buying the Cheapest Planks on Amazon/IndiaMART

You found planks at ₹160/sq ft with “25-year warranty.” Congratulations — you just bought uncapped, first-generation composite made with virgin LDPE and no UV stabilizer. Within 18 months you’ll have:

• Severe fading (turns grey or pink)

• Surface peeling and chalking

• Black mold spots that never come off

Fix: Always demand co-extruded (capped) planks from Tier-1 manufacturers. Check for certifications: EN 15534, ASTM D7032, ISO 16616. Reputable Indian brands (Everwood, Alstone, Durawud, WoodAlt, Enviro) and international ones (Trex, TimberTech, NewTechWood) openly publish test reports.

Mistake #2: Using Timber Joist Spacing (600 mm centers)

WPC is heavier and less rigid than timber. Using 600 mm joist spacing causes “bounce” and eventual clip failure.

Correct spacing (2025 standards):

• Hollow-core planks: 300–350 mm centers

• Solid-core planks: 400 mm max

• Commercial or heavy-load areas: 250 mm

Always check the manufacturer’s span table — never guess.

Mistake #3: Zero Ventilation Under the Deck

WPC itself doesn’t rot, but the aluminum or GI joists underneath absolutely will if you box them in with no airflow. In Kerala and Mumbai monsoon conditions, we’ve seen entire substructures collapse in 4–5 years because of trapped moisture.

Solution: Minimum 150 mm ground clearance + open sides or vented skirting. Use pedestal systems for rooftop decks.

Mistake #4: Screwing Through the Surface

Those “color-matched screws” the dealer gave you? They void most warranties the moment you drive them in. Direct screwing cracks the cap layer and creates water-entry points.

Use only hidden fastener clips (T-clips, cobra clips, or cortex systems). For fascia and stair risers, pre-drill and use plug systems or dedicated capped screws from the same brand.

Mistake #5: Ignoring Thermal Expansion Gaps

WPC expands and contracts more than wood (0.8–1.2 mm per meter in Indian summer heat). Installers who butt planks end-to-end without gaps wake up to buckled decks that look like corrugated iron.

Rule of thumb (most brands):

• End-to-end gap: 4–6 mm in winter install, 2–3 mm in summer install

• Perimeter gap against walls: minimum 20 mm (cover with trim)

• Width-wise gap between planks: follow clip manufacturer spec (usually 4–6 mm)

Pro tip: Install in the morning when planks are cool for maximum gap accuracy.

Bonus Mistake: Mixing Brands in the Same Project

Clips from Brand A almost never fit planks from Brand B perfectly. Color batches differ too. You’ll end up with visible lines and frustrated carpenters.

The Bottom Line

WPC Plank Dubai are incredibly forgiving — but only when you respect the engineering behind them. Treat them like a precision product, not “plastic wood,” and you’ll have a deck that looks brand-new in 2045.

Have you made (or seen) any of these mistakes? Drop your horror stories in the comments — we read every single one!