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How does an aluminium deck frame work?
An aluminium frame replaces the timber bearers and joists with extruded sections that bolt or clip together, and it carries the decking boards on the same layout. Joists run across the boards, and in most systems they stand on adjustable pedestals, posts or footings. Since the metal doesn’t rot and isn’t eaten by termites, the frame can stay low and thin.
Which aluminium frame systems are sold in Australia?
We’ve read three, and each works differently.
| System | Profiles and lengths | Build height | What the maker publishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClickDeck | 28, 55, 110, 150 and 200 mm profiles in lengths up to 6 m | minimum about 30 mm (28 mm profile plus a 2 mm packer) | Span tables, a non-combustibility report, a 50 year warranty on the frame only |
| Futurewood CleverDeck | joists 25, 50 and 90 mm high by 45 mm wide, 5.4 m long | 48 to 523 mm | June 2024 span tables, valid only with Futurewood boards and parts |
| NewTechWood StructurAL | 60 by 40 mm joist, 3 m long, on NIVO pedestals | from 103 mm above the existing surface | Pedestal spacing limit of 75 cm and a pedestal span chart |
ClickDeck is supplied as made-to-measure kits or as lengths you cut on site, and it describes the system as suitable for decking, pavers and other surfaces. See ClickDeck and NewTechWood for the brand details.
How far can an aluminium joist span?
It depends on the profile, the load, the joist spacing and the number of supports, so no single answer exists. Futurewood’s tables, for instance, give a residential single span of 500, 1,100 and 1,800 mm for its 25, 50 and 90 mm joists at 450 mm centres, and the figure changes with commercial loads. Read the span tables guide for the conditions behind those numbers.
Is an aluminium frame fire safe?
The frame, yes, with caveats. ClickDeck’s reaction-to-fire report, dated 5 February 2022, says its 6063 T6 aluminium is not deemed combustible under clause 3.4 of AS 1530.1. That covers the frame, not the boards on top. ModWood says that in bushfire-rated zones the joists and bearers must be non-combustible or a bushfire-resisting timber from AS 3959.
What warranty comes with an aluminium frame?
ClickDeck gives up to 50 years on the aluminium frame only, for residential installations in Australia and New Zealand. It doesn’t cover pedestals, finishes or boards. NewTechWood and Futurewood tie their warranties to installing to their guides.
Which boards go on an aluminium frame?
That depends on the board maker, and the compatibility guide lists what each maker says. For the frame against steel, see steel against aluminium, and for the layout of joists and bearers, the bearers and joists guide.
How much does an aluminium frame cost?
We found no dated Australian price for any of the three systems. ClickDeck’s price list is behind a form and its FrameKit page showed a sale banner without a kit price. Ask for quotes, enter them in the cost calculator, and compare the cost per square metre including pedestals and fixings.
Aluminium frame estimator
Preliminary · not engineering- Deck area20 m²
- Supports per joist—
- Supports in total—
Support (pedestal or footing) spacing depends on the frame system, load and height. Take it from the frame manufacturer’s span table or an engineer; we do not estimate it.
This is a preliminary materials count, not an engineering design. It does not confirm spans, load capacity or code compliance.
Questions
What is an aluminium deck frame?
A subframe built from extruded aluminium joists and, in some systems, bearers, in place of timber. It sits on footings, posts or adjustable pedestals, and the decking boards fix on top. The same idea appears under the names aluminium decking frame, aluminium deck framing, aluminium subframe and, in American spelling, aluminum deck framing.
Can I build a freestanding or ground-level deck frame in aluminium?
Yes. Futurewood says its 25 mm joists can be fixed directly to concrete for a deck height of 48 mm, and ClickDeck's ultra-low profile has a minimum build-up of about 30 mm. For a deck standing on ground, the frame still needs a firm base and drainage; the maker's guide sets the details.
Is a cheap decking frame worth it?
Compare spans, not just price. A frame that looks cheaper may need more pedestals or closer joists, and some makers publish no span table at all. We found no dated Australian frame prices, so use your quotes in the cost calculator.
Is there a deck frame design tool?
Makers publish span tables, and we link to them. Our frame estimator counts joists and supports from the spacings you copy from a maker's documents. It doesn't design a frame or work out spans.
Does an aluminium deck frame suit bushfire areas?
ClickDeck publishes a report saying its aluminium alloy 6063 T6 is not deemed combustible under AS 1530.1, and ModWood says frames in BAL-rated zones must be non-combustible or a listed bushfire-resisting timber. The report covers the frame only, not the boards.
Sources
- ClickDeck - aluminium decking subframe (home page)
- Aluminium Deck Framing System | StructurAL | NewTechWood
- Futurewood CleverDeck Aluminium Deck Frame System Installation Guidelines, Appendix 1 Span Tables (V1, June 2024)
- Futurewood Aluminium Subframe
- NewTechWood StructurAL Installation Guide 2021 AUS
- ClickDeck modular subfloor flyer
- ClickDeck
- Fixing Instructions for ModWood Flame Shield (August 2016)
- Reaction to fire testing - Clickdeck frame (aluminium alloy 6063)
- Clickdeck 50-Year Structural Frame Warranty - Residential
- Clickdeck Span Table (ref ALU261223)
- ClickDeck Pedestal Pro (manufacturer)