UPM-Biofore-Magazine-2-2017-ENG

When choosing materials for families with children, easy and effortless care is a definite advantage. “It only takes a brush and some water to clean the deck. We don’t need to oil the floor or treat it with preservatives,” Koss explains. The family’s deck was finished in 2016. They selected the lightest shade of grey in the UPMProFi Deck colour palette, pearl grey, because it was the closest match with the house. “The properties of the decking material have been even better than I expected,” Koss says. The look of the deck is also praised by visitors. “Everyone has loved how light the colour is. At first, our guests are usually a bit cautious, asking if the floor is easily scratched by the chairs, but I always tell them there is no need to worry.” The boys are allowed to bring all their toys onto the deck, including the ride-on car, bike and wheelbarrow. It has even withstood a lawnmower being pulled across its surface. Despite all this hard wear, no scratches are visible, which she agrees is quite a miracle. Foot friendly material The family spends a lot of time on the deck, using it for barbecues, socializing, playing and generally taking it easy. On rainy days, mumurges the boys to go out and play on the deck when their energy levels become hard to contain within four walls. The floor feels particularly pleasant underfoot. “It’s never too hot or cold. It maintains an even temperature in both summer and winter,” Koss describes. The Koss family also appreciates the fact that the floor does not splinter. All mothers and fathers knowwhat it’s like to remove a splinter from the foot of a small child – an ordeal fromwhich they are spared by UPMProFi decking. 

QUALITY COUNTS FOR THE INSTALLER Emmanuel Vendéoux is a UPM ProFi Gold Installer who specialises in deck installations. He works for land­ scape designers EN’VERT Paysages in Villaz, a town in the French Alps. “What I like about the UPM ProFi Deck is the large choice of durable colours and the good price-quality ratio compared to other products. There are also really unique solutions such as the UPM ProFi Rail Step. And if home owners want a totally closed surface, I show them the UPM ProFi Alu Rail solution. What I especially appreciate during installation is the width of the boards (15 cm), which enables me to cover a bigger surface with the same amount of board as many other products. Last but not least, it is a durable product that has good stain resistance.”

usage to which the deck is subjected on a daily basis. The little rascals run back and forth between the deck and garden, hopping on the ride-on car and circling the boards, next jumping and bouncing around the deck with their shoes on. This kind of rough handling is enough to test even the toughest of materials. Calm and relaxed, Cecia Koss looks on as her children play. “We chose a decking material that would be as child-friendly and durable as possible. We ‘abuse’ the floor to the extreme, but it’s highly resistant to wear. Practicality was an important factor inmaking the choice,” says the good-humouredmother.

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