Factory-Direct Aquatic & Outdoor Living Solutions
Direct from our specialized high-capacity production facilities in Xuancheng, Anhui, China. Explore high-performance capped decking, outdoor enclosures, and architectural screening designed for marine and pool environments.
Engineering Solutions for the Global Aquatic Infrastructure
Modern swimming pool surrounds endure some of the most aggressive micro-environments in building architecture. Constant submersion cycles, high chemical oxidation (chlorine, ozone, sodium hypochlorite), saline mist, and extreme solar thermal loads cause rapid degradation in traditional exterior wood and early-generation composites.
Halogen & Saline Chemical Resilience
Unlike natural hardwoods (Teak, Ipe, Merbau) which bleed tannins and undergo lignin degradation when exposed to salted swimming pools (electrolytic chlorination systems), Forestar's proprietary capped polymers feature a zero-porosity cross-linked sheath that blocks pool chemical intrusion entirely.
Thermal Dispersion & Barefoot Safety
Traditional dark composites become burn risks under direct Mediterranean or Middle Eastern sun (>65°C surface temp). Our EclipseGrain and TerraShield formulations use selective infrared-reflective pigments (Cool-Touch Matrix™), decreasing thermal retention by up to 12°C for safe barefoot usage.
Wet Barefoot Slip Resistance (Class C / R11)
Pool decking requires rigorous slip mitigation to prevent public liability hazards. Our precision micro-embossed woodgrain texturing delivers a pendulum test value (PTV) exceeding 36 in both wet and chlorinated conditions, strictly conforming to DIN 51097 barefoot slip ratings.
Material Science: Capped WPC vs. Traditional Surfacing
Comparative analysis based on 25-year lifecycle assessment (LCA) in chlorinated commercial and residential aquatic applications.
| Performance Criterion | Forestar Capped WPC (TerraShield / EclipseGrain) | Traditional Tropical Hardwood (Ipe / Teak) | Uncapped 1st-Gen Composite | Porcelain Outdoor Pavers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine / Saltwater Resistance | Immune No fiber bleaching or surface erosion | Poor Rapid silvering, surface cracking & grain lift | Moderate Vulnerable to chemical core staining | High Excellent chemical resistance |
| Wet Barefoot Traction (DIN 51097) | Class C (≥24°) Certified wet safety | Variable Becomes dangerously slick with algae | Class A/B Moderate slip risk when wet | R11 Class C High traction textured versions |
| Thermal Comfort Under Sun | Cool-Touch™ Reflective IR core reduces heat | Good Natural wood dissipates heat well | Severe Heat Retains high thermal mass | Extreme Heat Uncomfortable for bare feet |
| Maintenance Cycle & OPEX | Zero Sealing Periodic water rinse only | Biannual Heavy sanding, oiling, biocide sealing | High Requires specialized deep-stain wash | Low Grout re-pointing needed over time |
| Structural Splinter Risk | 100% Splinter-Free High safety around kids | High Risk Inevitable splintering from UV stress | Splinter-Free Polymeric surface integrity | None Hard ceramic surface |
| Substructure Impact & Weight | Engineered Lightweight profile on joists | Heavy Requires heavy timber substructures | Very Heavy Solid dense profiles | Massive High dead load on suspended pool decks |
Inside Forestar: Anhui Fumeida New Material Technology
Founded in 2008 and situated in the North District Industrial Park of Xuancheng, Anhui, China, Anhui Fumeida New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (operating internationally under the Forestar brand) stands at the forefront of polymer-wood co-extrusion technology.
Spanning state-of-the-art continuous extrusion workshops, our facility integrates high-precision gravimetric feeding systems, proprietary multi-cavity twin-screw extruders, and fully automated robotic finishing lines. This industrial foundation empowers us to deliver over 1,500 shipping containers per annum to high-compliance markets across Europe, North America, Oceania, and Latin America.
Our pool-specific decking range is engineered through a 360-degree fully encapsulated co-extrusion process. The core utilizes 90% recycled high-density polyolefins and reclaimed FSC-traceable hardwood fibers, shielded by a modified multi-polymer fluorocarbon shell that provides impenetrable barrier resistance against moisture permeation, algae blooming, sunscreen chemicals, and chlorine salt crystallization.
Container Consolidation Matrix
Consolidate decking, WPC cladding, perimeter privacy fencing, and garden sheds within one unified shipping container to dramatically minimize port logistics costs and warehouse SKUs.
Strict Batch-to-Batch Color Stability
Spectrophotometer-calibrated masterbatch dosing ensures ΔE < 0.8 across multiple extrusion cycles, eliminating color mismatches during large-scale hospitality developments.
PISCIMAD 2026 Madrid Showcase
Meet our engineering team in person at PISCIMAD 2026 in Madrid, Spain (Booth 7A49, 10–13 Nov 2026) to inspect physical structural cross-sections and stress-test data.
Tested Across Extreme Climatic Environments
From sub-zero Nordic coastal freeze-thaw conditions to hyper-arid desert pool solariums, Forestar swimming pool decking provides proven structural reliability worldwide.
Tropical Luxury Resort Infinity Pools
High ambient humidity and intense ultraviolet exposure require anti-fungal formulations. Installed in Medellín, Colombia, our capped boards show zero mold colonization and zero swelling over years of tropical rains.
Sub-Zero Nordic Freeze-Thaw Pool Terraces
Tested in Helsinki, Finland, through severe winters where water penetration and internal ice expansion shatter standard tiles. Forestar's dense matrix maintains dimensional stability down to -40°C without checking.
High-Traffic Municipal Aquatic Facilities
Public wellness complexes in Vienna, Austria, demand Class Bfl-s1 fire resistance and non-slip barefoot performance. Forestar boards withstand continuous commercial pedestrian traffic without surface degradation.
Global Standards & Substructure Engineering
A swimming pool deck is only as reliable as its foundation and regulatory documentation. Forestar provides comprehensive technical dossiers to satisfy municipal building inspectors worldwide.
Architectural Substructure Guidelines
1. Joist Span & Cantilever Control: For residential pool zones, maximum joist centers must be maintained at 350mm–400mm on-center. For high-density commercial hospitality pool decks, centers must be reduced to 300mm on-center to prevent dynamic footfall deflection.
2. Continuous Drainage & Ventilation: A minimum 25mm clearance under joists is required, alongside a 2-3mm per meter slope, guaranteeing water draining away from the pool coping without subsurface ponding.
3. Hidden Fastener Expansion Allowance: Temperature swings induce micro-expansion along board lengths. Our marine-grade 304/316 stainless-steel hidden clip systems ensure uniform 4mm–5mm expansion joints while preserving a seamless fastener-free aesthetic.
Statutory Testing & Certifications
Forestar products undergo third-party laboratory verification through SGS, Intertek, and TÜV Rheinland to satisfy stringent regional codes across major target markets:
- CE Mark (EN 15534-1 & EN 15534-4): European standard for wood-plastic composites.
- Fire Performance (EN 13501-1): Certified Class Bfl-s1 / Cfl-s1 flame retardance.
- Environmental Compliance: Full REACH & RoHS chemical safety compliance with zero heavy metal or VOC leaching into aquatic ecosystems.
- FSC Chain of Custody: Verification of sustainable reclaimed timber woodflour sourcing.
Technological Roadmap: 2026 to 2035
Pioneering sustainable material science to meet changing architectural codes, smart building standards, and circular manufacturing mandates.
Phase 1: Bio-Polymer Matrix Integration
Replacing standard petroleum-derived HDPE with second-generation agricultural residue polyolefins. Targeting 98% biogenic carbon content with lower embodied carbon while increasing flexural elasticity in aquatic wet zones.
Phase 2: Embedded IoT Structural Micro-Sensors
Integrating passive RFID strain and moisture transducers within commercial boardwalk and resort pool joist channels. Enables facility managers to continuously audit deflection, humidity, and substructure status via cloud interfaces.
Phase 3: Superhydrophobic Nano-Textures
Developing biomimetic lotus-leaf surface morphologies directly at the extrusion dye head. This will provide chemical-free self-cleaning capabilities, repelling body oils and calcium scale while maintaining maximum DIN Class C slip traction.
Technical Questions for Architects, Importers & Contractors
Authoritative guidance on specifications, compliance, and factory operations from our technical team.
How does Forestar capped decking resist pool chlorine and saltwater electrolysis?
Unlike natural timbers or early 1st-generation composites that absorb chlorinated water through exposed cellulose fibers, Forestar's TerraShield and EclipseGrain profiles are manufactured with an impenetrable 360-degree high-density polyethylene polymer shell. This barrier prevents chlorine oxidation and salt crystallization within the core, protecting against embrittlement, fiber lifting, and discoloration.
What barefoot slip-resistance ratings are documented for wet poolside installations?
Our pool-specific boards are subjected to the DIN 51097 barefoot ramp test and the BS 7976-2 Pendulum test. Forestar profiles reliably yield Pendulum Test Values (PTV) exceeding 36 in wet conditions and achieve Class C certification (the highest rating for ramps with angles greater than 24°), providing critical slip resistance for pool copings, splash zones, and zero-depth entry areas.
Can distributors consolidate decking with sheds, cladding, and fencing in one shipment?
Yes. As an integrated manufacturer operating across four coordinated exterior systems (decking, exterior wall cladding, perimeter fencing, and modular storage sheds like RidgeStar, CeilingStar, and MiniStar), we routinely load mixed full-container loads (FCL). This significantly reduces sea freight expenses and simplifies product delivery for stocking distributors.
What is the linear thermal expansion coefficient, and what joist spacing is required?
The linear thermal expansion coefficient of our co-extruded composite is approximately 0.035 mm/m/°C. For installations around swimming pools, we recommend a joist spacing of 300mm to 350mm center-to-center. When installing during ambient temperatures of 20°C, a 4mm to 5mm end-to-end gap should be maintained at butt joints to allow uninhibited thermal movement.
Does sunscreen, tanning oil, or food grease stain the capped decking surface?
No. Forestar capped composite surfaces feature non-porous fluorocarbon-modified shields. Common oils, tanning lotions, wine, and food spills cannot penetrate the cap layer and can be easily washed away with warm soapy water or a standard pressure washer (under 1500 PSI) without leaving residues or permanent rings.
What OEM/ODM customization services are supported for national brands?
We provide full OEM/ODM engineering support, including custom profile cross-sections (solid, engineered round hollow, arched hollow), proprietary color-matching with target Delta E tolerances under 0.8, customized length extrusions to eliminate site wastage, and co-branded private labeling on protective packaging and container crating.
Specialized Decking, Cladding, Fencing & Shed Profiles
Engineered to match aesthetic finishes across residential developments, public lidos, and commercial seaside developments.
