The following key considerations should be taken into account before installing outdoor decking:

• Climatic conditions of the area, especially direct exposure to the sun and average seasonal humidity.
• Xylophagous external agents , such as fungi and insects.
• Slipperiness: public transit.

Depending on the type of use of the flooring, the Technical Building Code (CTE) establishes a specific slip resistance:

• For decking installed in outdoor areas or around swimming pools , the maximum slip resistance value (Rd>45 ) is required , which corresponds to use class 3 .
• The CTE also establishes that this type of use must be maintained throughout the entire useful life of the platform.
• To determine the Rd value, it is necessary to carry out a test in accordance with the Spanish standard UNE-EN-V12633:2003, using the platform in final use conditions.
• The slipperiness of the flooring will depend on the actions it undergoes after manufacturing, such as sanding (depending on the grain size used) and the application of oils or dyes.
• In any case, non-slip systems with continuous or mixed grooves must be used to reduce the slipperiness of the pavement when it is wet due to rain or splashing from puddles, as suggested by the Spanish standard UNE 56823:2008.
• It is also essential to periodically clean the flooring to remove layers of dust and even the growth of fungi, which increase slipperiness.

Prolonged exposure of wooden floors to external atmospheric agents, especially sunlight and moisture, causes the wood surface to acquire a grayish hue . This phenomenon is a natural process of photodegradation .

However, this phenomenon does not affect its long-term mechanical strength, durability, or performance: sanding the surface restores the wood's original color.

In addition, the application of oils and wood stains minimizes this type of alteration .

Atmospheric agents also influence its dimensional stability, causing surface cracks that can be considered repairable if they remain within certain limits:

• Up to a width of 1 millimeter.
• Up to one third of the depth of the pieces.

These types of alterations are minimized by periodically washing the platform with water.

There are other types of deformations that require part replacement, such as cracks that extend between two faces, chipping, annular deformations, among others.

Species selection should focus on two key characteristics:

• natural durability
• dimensional stability.

According to the Spanish standard UNE-EN 335-2:2007, the durability class must be at least 3 if the wood is separated from the ground (floating) and 4 if it is in direct contact with the ground (fixed).

Depending on the climatic and hydrographic conditions of the installation site, different types of wood are suggested.

Optimally, the installed wood should have a hygroscopic balance and a moisture content intermediate between the driest and wettest seasons.

In Spain, the humidity content in the inland regions of the Iberian Peninsula ranges between 12% and 14% . However, north of the Cantabrian Mountains, along the Mediterranean coast and in island areas, the humidity level is between 14% and 16%.

The support for the decking installation must be clean before beginning the installation work, and its strength must be adequate for the batten anchoring system.

The recommended support type is inclined cement mortar, with a slope ranging from 2% to 5% to prevent water accumulation, with the battens arranged in parallel to optimize drainage.