faq's

Aikona decking or flooring is manufactured from a hard-wearing rigid vinyl composite to look and feel like natural wood.

Aikona is a practical alternative to teak decking and wooden flooring and has many advantages. Aikona’s non-slip surface remains effective even when wet. It is resilient to abrasion and impact. It can withstand exposure to water, sunlight and other environmental conditions and is fire resistant. It is quicker and easier to maintain and install compared to natural wooden decking.

The standard planks are 5mm thick, 46mm, 74mm or 100mm wide and 2.4m long. They are sold in boxes of 10 planks. For areas of heavy traffic, such as a public walkway, we would recommend our heavy-duty flooring (7mm thick). This is available in 74mm or 100mm wide planks in plain wood effect or with a black or white stripe. All planks are 2.4m long. Prices vary according to sections and quantities ordered.

Aikona wood-effect decking is available in plain planks, or with a black or white nautical stripe.

Aikona is suitable for both wet internal and external applications.

The outdoor applications are varied: decking • pool and hot tub surrounds • marina pontoons • boardwalks & public walkways • patios • cladding.

Aikona is also ideal as an alternative to natural teak decking for marine applications, such as marine decking • cockpit soles • diving platforms • interior cabin design. Aikona decking has been installed on yachts • ribs • long boats • motor cruisers • larger boats. The synthetic decking product can be made up into panels, back welded and glued down just like natural teak decking.

Internally Aikona flooring can be used in bathrooms • shower rooms • leisure and spa facilities • saunas • restrooms • treatment rooms • flooring for gyms and health areas • conservatories • work areas.

For internal applications Aikona should be sealed with a polyurethane sealer. Please refer to our application table on the website for more information.

Unsealed, Aikona’s slip resistant surface remains effective even when wet (BS7976-2:2002).

Aikona is a very hard wearing and resilient synthetic decking product especially when compared to natural teak decking. It can be lightly sanded many times (sanding only takes 0.1- 0.2mm off surface - if that). As it can be jet washed, sanding should not be necessary very often except in the case of very stubborn stains.

We recommend that for internal flooring areas (especially where shoes - especially high heels - are worn, where there is no constant standing water, or where heavy furniture is present) Aikona flooring is sealed using a polyurethane varnish/sealer. For external areas and very wet internal areas Aikona need not be sealed.

Please refer to our application table on the website for further information.

Sealing will give Aikona a more polished appearance and make it easier to maintain. Sealing will affect its non-slip qualities depending on which type of sealer is used (gloss or matt) and how many coats are applied. However, the recommended sealers also have excellent anti-slip qualities.

Recommended maintenance is dependent on the location, intensity of traffic and specific requirements of the end user. Regular maintenance is straightforward and involves sweeping or vacuuming the area to remove all residual dirt. The surface can be periodically washed or scrubbed using a mild flooring detergent (pH 7-9) to remove any stains or grime, rinsed and allowed to dry. Externally a power hose can be used, which is something that can damage natural wood decking.

Where Aikona has been varnished or sealed, the surface should be swept or vacuumed to remove all residual dirt, and periodically washed or scrubbed using a mild flooring detergent (pH 7-9) to remove any stains or grime, rinsed and allowed to dry. Re-coating or re-sealing may be necessary every 12-18 months depending on usage and location. Maintenance should be carried out according to the sealer manufacturer’s Instructions. Please note – no form of teak oil, or oil-based treatment should ever be applied to Aikona flooring/decking as this may affect the surface appearance and performance characteristics. Failure to follow these recommendations may also affect the manufacturer’s guarantee.

Unsealed Aikona decking has been subjected to various stain tests and is very resilient. The stains can normally be washed/scrubbed off with water and a mild detergent. If a stain cannot be removed by normal cleaning, the floor can be lightly sanded (60 grit low speed) along the grain to remove the stain.

Once laid sections of Aikona decking can be lifted and replaced if required. If the unsealed decking has been damaged, it can be repaired (e.g. cigarette burns).

Like any surfaces Aikona will heat up in direct sunlight in hot climates, however, the decking will not become sticky or melt. One advantage of synthetic decking over natural wooden decking is that it is UV stable and does not fade or turn grey when exposed to direct sunlight. Aikona might darken slightly.

Fitting Aikona is very similar to fitting a wooden floor or deck. It is important when laying Aikona that all equipment is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and that safety guards are on all equipment and in working order. For boat decking Aikona decking can be made up into panels, back welded and then laid on the deck.

Correct installation is very important and we recommend contacting our local sales offices for further information, and referring to the Aikona installation DVD and installation & maintenance guide.

The surface must be sound, smooth, dry, clean and free from contaminants. Floor substrates must be as flat as possible and finished to comply with BS8203. Concrete substrates should have a damp-proof (DPM) membrane. All undulations, indentations and holes should be filled and smoothed. Aikona should not be laid on chipboard. Different bonding materials are necessary for different surfaces.

This depends on which surface Aikona decking is fitted. For applications on porous surfaces, such as concrete, a single-part polyurethane or MS polymer adhesive can be used. For installation on non-porous surface, such as fibre glass or steel, a two-part MS polymer adhesive must be used. If a single part adhesive is used, there must be enough moisture for the glue to cure. It is important that the manufacturer’s instructions and safety information are carefully followed. Please contact your local distributor or agent for further recommendations.

Aikona Ltd warrants that if the Aikona flooring/decking wears out from normal foot traffic within 10 years, the material will be replaced free of charge. To qualify, the floor must have been installed by Aikona trained installers over a properly prepared subfloor and in accordance with the directions contained in the installation & maintenance guide. In addition the floor/deck must be regularly maintained in accordance with the installation & maintenance guide, and the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for any sealants/varnish manufacturers used.

Aikona synthetic decking products are suitable for many applications, please refer to our application table on the website to see our recommendations.

Storage does not affect the synthetic decking as long as it is stored in clean dry conditions.

Yes, the decking should be stored in situ for at least 48 hours before fitting as this allows for expansion or contraction to occur. Aikona should not to be fitted in direct sunlight. Recommended fitting temperatures are 10°C to 24°C. Always read the installation and maintenance guide for the synthetic decking product and the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.

Please contact us at info@aikona.co.uk and we will put you in touch with your local distributor.