Subframes

For composite cladding installations, BM Steel's recycled plastic cladding battens are the recommended choice. Made from 100% recycled polyethylene, they provide a stable, rot-proof fixing substrate that will not warp or shrink over time. We stock battens in two sizes to suit different cladding board profiles and structural spans. 

They are more fire-resistant than untreated timber, but not fully fireproof. For commercial installations, always check whether your project requires materials with specific fire ratings and request data sheets as needed.

Cladding battens are typically slimmer and designed to be fixed vertically or horizontally to a wall substrate to support cladding boards. Decking joists are heavier-duty structural members laid horizontally as the base beneath decking surfaces. Both are available from BM Steel in recycled plastic.

A decking subframe is the structural system that sits beneath your composite decking boards. It typically consists of posts, bearers, and joists working together to create a level, load-bearing base. At BM Steel, we stock all the plastic subframe components you need to build a complete decking frame.

Use a combination of steel fixings and concrete anchors or opt for an adjustable pedestal system. This allows precise levelling and avoids direct contact between the joist and the concrete, reducing water retention.