Frequently asked questions

AlterWood has been Millboard’s distributor in the Netherlands since 2016, for both corporate and private customers. Alterwood offers the complete range of Millboard: from a wide choice of boards in various collections to specific finishing materials for an optimal final result. You can read more about AlterWood here.

Millboard is a premium brand for outdoor flooring and façade cladding. Millboard boards have the look and feel of wood but are maintenance- and splinter-free and stain, UV and weather resistant. The boards are virtually indistinguishable from genuine timber and, combined with their unique properties, they are the perfect alternative to wood in various outdoor applications such as flooring and façades. You can read more about the benefits of Millboard here.

Yes, the unique composition of Millboard prevents warping and rotting, while the shades of colour and the wood grain make the boards barely distinguishable from real wood. Millboard is 100% wood-free and sustainably produced. The unique Lastane™ coating has the best non-slip properties, is algae-resistant and guarantees quick installation. This makes the boards the perfect alternative to wood, composite or bamboo in various outdoor applications. You can read more about the benefits of Millboard here.

Millboard boards are precise, hand-formed replicas of carefully selected timber boards with coarse and finer texture. The boards are coated with a wash, which penetrates deeply into the wood grain structure. And this is done by hand, so each board is unique. The boards, with their colour variations and wood grain, exhibit a remarkably natural appearance that is indistinguishable from real timber.

Yes, the unique, specially developed Lastane™ coating is scratch-resistant under normal conditions. Sharp objects such as unprotected table or chair legs or flower pots can cause scratches. Be careful when moving these objects. Despite the self-healing top layer, we recommend using furniture felt pads to protect the floor.

The Millboard material is inherently grippy and, as such, very slip resistant. Moreover, Millboard is wood-free and non-porous and algae cannot adhere to its resilient, non-porous Lastane™ top layer. Studies show that, on both dry and wet floors, an anti-slip rating of R12 is achieved. Especially in applications around swimming pools, jacuzzis and water features, as well as in wet weather, this is a huge advantage.

During production, an oil is used to give the planks their unique finish. After Millboard leaves the factory, a thin layer of oil remains on the boards. For several weeks after installation, the boards will repel rainwater as small droplets. This is perfectly normal and will no longer happen after a while.

Millboard is UV resistant, which means that under normal conditions no discolouration can be observed with the naked eye. Its colours last much longer than those of real wood or bamboo, and even those of most composites. We recommend ordering enough for the entire project at one time, as there may be slight colour differences between production batches.

Millboard is completely resistant to freeze–thaw cycles, snow and ice. Snow and ice may adhere to the coating, but this will not damage or affect the boards themselves. The use of de-icing salt is not recommended, as it may affect the board’s coating. Cleaning with a broom and a little water in spring is often enough to remove any residue that accumulates during the winter.

Yes, Millboard is a versatile product that can be used for many purposes. Just like real timber boards, it can be used for façade cladding, fences, stairs, planters, chairs, lounge seating, benches, etc. In public spaces, Millboard is used for promenades, quays and bridges. The possibilities are endless!

The prices of composite boards are often higher than the prices of standard decking materials. However, Millboard is an exceptionally high-quality product. The price may be higher than softwood, plastic or bamboo, but they simply cannot compete on quality. In addition, time and money are saved because Millboard requires virtually no maintenance, as Millboard is made of a mixture of polymer resin and polyurethane. Sweeping off occasionally with a broom to remove leaves is all you ever need to do. Because Millboard boards are durable and long-lasting, they need to be replaced significantly less often. It is an investment that will pay for itself in no time.

There may be a slight deviation in the board dimensions because they are cast in moulds made of natural oak and due to the pressure applied during the moulding process. Nevertheless, the boards are calibrated to maintain as consistent a profile as possible. Production tolerances are: Width: ±3 mm. Length: ±5 mm. Thickness: ±2 mm. More information and installation instructions can be found on our Help & Advice page.

You can request a sample via our website. To get an even better impression of a larger area of the Millboard board you are interested in, we recommend attending one of our events or visit a showroom before buying the product. Find a showcase location where you can experience the natural look and quality of Millboard façade cladding for yourself here.

All the boards are produced in moulds. To prevent surface damage when the boards are removed from the moulds, a release agent is used. Some of this release agent remains on the boards. As the boards weather naturally, this will dissipate. Depending on weather conditions, this could take 4-6 weeks. The process can be sped up by cleaning the boards with warm soapy water and a hard brush (sometimes it is necessary to repeat this several times to get the desired result).

Millboard boards are extremely versatile and suitable for use in almost any outdoor application, such as for garden and roof terraces, cladding, balconies, roof gardens, promenades, bridges, pontoons, benches, stairs, planters and more. Millboard can also be used as a decorative element, as long as it is attached to a structural element.

Because Millboard’s core consists of a combination of plastic and polyurethane reinforced with fibreglass; it is very stable compared to wood or wood-based composites. The unique closed ‘cellular’ internal structure makes the board light and strong. The solid planks will therefore not expand, shrink or warp. We do recommend a 4 mm gap between the sides of the boards and a 1 mm gap between the ends of the boards. A 10 mm gap should be left between the boards and every fixed surface to facilitate drainage.

As with all composite products, the surfaces of the boards tend to become warmer than wood when exposed to direct sunlight. Dark colours, in particular, will feel warmer. This is something to consider when walking barefoot. In direct sunlight and high temperatures, we therefore recommend wearing footwear. Special care should be taken when using terraces in areas with heat/UV reflective glass or around swimming pools.

When burning wood or coal in the fire basket, we recommend placing a porcelain or cement tile under the fire basket. The hearth pad should extend about one metre beyond the brazier. Any sparks or burning material should be removed immediately to avoid damage or permanent stains on the Millboard surface. Terrace heaters or infrared radiant heaters are not known to affect the boards.

All the boards are produced in moulds. To prevent surface damage when the boards are removed from the moulds, a release agent is used. Some of this release agent remains on the boards. This can cause the boards to look like they have a glossy or waxed surface. As the boards weather naturally, this will dissipate. Depending on weather conditions, this could take 4-6 weeks. The process can be sped up by cleaning the boards with warm soapy water and a hard brush (sometimes it is necessary to repeat this several times to get the desired result).

Millboard is designed to replicate the range of tones found in natural wood, with a deliberate effort to avoid uniformity in shades. Buying all the Millboard cladding you will need at the same time prevents colour inconsistencies.

Millboard boards are certified to EN 13501-1 and have a classification of Bfl-s1 when used as a floor product. When Millboard boards are used as façade cladding, the Board & Batten collection has no fire rating and no flammability certificate, even though the Board & Batten boards are made with fire retardants in the board composition. Shadow Line façade panels are tested to BS EN 13501-1 and have a classification of D-s3, d0. (The suitability of the façade cladding for use at the intended location must be determined by a certified construction professional, firefighter, etc.). Millboard is not recommended for use as façade cladding or balcony terrace on buildings 11 m or higher. Millboard and AlterWood cannot be held liable for incorrect specification, application or product installation at locations that are not compliant with government guidelines (building code) in the Netherlands or abroad.

Make sure the surface is stable and firm to avoid subsidence. An existing flattened terrace is the ideal base to place beams on. However, a sand bed of at least 10 centimetres is also acceptable. A solid base can easily be created on this by placing a few concrete tiles, on top of which the load-bearing beams can then be placed. Weed barrier fabric is optional in this arrangement. On unstable ground, such as peat, beams should be driven into the ground to reinforce the construction. Special beams with pointed ends are available on request.

To maximise and guarantee the lifespan of terraces, we supply specific material both for the joists and fixings. We recommend the special Plas-Pro joists for our Millboard boards, and for the connection between board and joists we recommend using Durafix® screws. There is no need to pre-drill or countersink Millboard because when the special screws are driven in, the innovative Lastane coating on the board flexes back over the screw heads, completely hiding them. To fix Plas-Pro posts and beams to each other, we recommend using the special coated hex-head screws. You can find more information on our page on Joists and Edge finishing. And you can watch our installation instruction video here.

We recommend using the special Plas-Pro joists with our Millboard boards to maximise and guarantee the lifespan of terraces. More information on this can be found on our page on Joists.

We recommend using the special Durafix® stainless steel screws with our Millboard planks to maximise and guarantee the lifespan of terraces. There is no need to pre-drill or countersink Millboard because when the special screws are driven in, the innovative Lastane coating on the board flexes back over the screw heads, completely hiding them. To fix Plas-Pro posts and beams to each other, we recommend using the special coated hex-head screws. You can find more information on our page on Joists and Edge finishing.

For normal residential use, beams should be placed with a maximum spacing of 400 millimetres. For commercial or public use, a distance of 300 millimetres is recommended. Keep in mind that for two connecting boards, the ends of these two boards must be supported by the same beam. When beams are placed at a 45-degree angle, the distance between them should not exceed 300 millimetres for residential use and 240 millimetres for commercial or public use. For more information on installation, see the installation instructions.

For the boards, by the way, we recommend a 3-6 mm gap between the sides of the boards and a 2 mm gap between the ends of the boards. A 10 mm gap should be left between the boards and every fixed surface to facilitate drainage.

When using our Shadow Line product, it may be necessary to use our Millboard Multi-Spacers during the installation process to achieve a straight and consistent 6 mm gap between the boards.

For perfect finishing of edges, steps, stairs or other elevations, we offer various products, which, of course, completely match Millboard’s various outdoor flooring collections. For example, there are fascia boards, edging boards and bullnose boards. For more information on these finishing options, visit our page on Edge finishing.

Just like real timber boards, Millboard boards are easy to work with, and their remarkably low expansion coefficient means a gap of just 2 mm at the ends is sufficient. A normal wood saw can be used, but for best results we recommend a mitre saw. For optional edges and cut-outs, a normal hand saw or jigsaw can be used. Always ensure your own safety by using protection such as goggles and gloves. The boards can also be mitred and glued at the corners. By touching up the end of the sawn board with the right matching colour coating, the original appearance is restored.

Millboard’s Lastane™ coating is made of a non-porous material that resists stains and algae. So your terrace, balcony or garden path will never get slippery! Thanks to this UV- and weather-resistant top layer, you hardly need to maintain Millboard boards. Should there still be some dirt on the boards, it can be easily removed with a broom and a little water. Never use a pressure washer or any type of chemical cleaner, abrasive, thinner, wax or oil. If you do, the boards may be damaged and the warranty will be void.

No, treatment with stain, varnish or oil is not necessary. The boards have their own unique sealed coating, making the floor virtually maintenance-free. This saves time and money otherwise spent on annual servicing, and you can enjoy the luxurious look for years without a care.

The Lastane® finish resists stains from food and drinks. The risk of discolouration caused by potent dyes and stains such as berries and animal droppings is reduced if they are removed as soon as possible. This also applies to oils or greases that come into contact with the Lastane® surface.

Always make sure to cover and protect the boards from any surrounding construction or landscaping work, as well as paint, plaster or cement-like dust that could contaminate or mark the surface, especially if the boards have been recently installed. AlterWood cannot be held accountable for any issues resulting from foreign substances affecting the boards, as this is not a manufacturing defect.

The Lastane® finish is resistant to scratches and daily wear and tear. Sharp objects, such as unprotected table or chair legs, pointed shoes, animal claws or planters can leave marks when dragged across the surface, so be careful when moving these objects. Despite the self-healing top layer, we recommend using furniture felt pads to protect the floor.

Make sure you always cover and protect the boards from any surrounding construction or landscaping work to avoid scratches. AlterWood cannot be held accountable for any issues resulting from foreign substances affecting the boards, as this is not a manufacturing defect.

Yes, of course! You can request a sample of your favourite colour(s) via our samples page . This will give you the opportunity to see and feel our unique boards and check whether the colour matches your garden furniture, for example. We charge a small fee for this, but you get it back when you place an order with us. That way, the sample ends up being completely free!

Millboard is manufactured to the highest standards. For outdoor floors, when the boards are used in combination with the special Plas-Pro decking subframes and Durafix stainless steel screws, a 25-year warranty is provided. We issue a 15-year warranty for Envello cladding. The warranty conditions can be found on our warranty page.