Eva-Last Pioneer Bamboo PVC Composite Decking Boards
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Eva-Last Pioneer Bamboo PVC Composite Decking Boards
Pioneer is the top of Eva-Last's decking range, a reinforced bamboo foamed-PVC board with a photorealistic wood surface printed under a protective wear layer rather than embossed into it. Because the grain is printed, no two boards repeat the same pattern the way an embossed composite does. Three colours: Barrel Oak, Natural Ipe and Weathered Ash.
The boards span 24 in. on centre, so a standard 16 in. frame has room to spare and a 24 in. frame takes them without adding joists. Grooved edges accept hidden clips, so nothing shows on the walking surface. Grooved boards come in 12, 16 and 20 ft.
The starter board is grooved on one edge and solid on the other, for deck perimeters, picture framing and stair edges. It is made in 20 ft only. For the rim and stair faces, see the matching Pioneer fascia and riser boards.
Features and Common Uses
- Spans 24 in. on centre, so it decks straight over a 24 in. frame with no extra joists
- Printed wood grain under a clear wear layer, so the pattern does not repeat board to board
- 50 year residential warranty, 20 years longer than Eva-Last's Infinity range
- Hidden clips on the grooved edges leave nothing showing on the walking surface
- 1.48 lb per foot, light enough to handle a 20 ft board without a second pair of hands
- Washes with soap and water, no sealing or staining
| Colour | Goodfellow Code | How it reads |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel Oak | CEDAR #81 | A sun-warmed tan with open knots and swirling grain running the length of the board. |
| Natural Ipe | MAHOGANY #82 | Deep chocolate brown shot through with reddish highlights, the way real ipe looks a season after it is laid. |
| Weathered Ash | SAND #64 | A cool slate grey with silver undertones and fine straight grain, close to driftwood that has had a few winters on it. |
Commonly used for:
- Re-decking over an existing frame, including 24 in. joist layouts
- Rooftop terraces and balconies where weight per square foot matters
- Picture-framed decks, using the starter board on the perimeter
- Stairs, with 12 in. joist spacing under the treads
- Pool surrounds and coastal decks, where timber moves and splinters
Specifications
| Brand | Eva-Last |
|---|---|
| Range | Pioneer |
| Colours | Barrel Oak, Natural Ipe, Weathered Ash |
| Material | Reinforced bamboo foamed-PVC composite, capped |
| Surface | Printed wood grain under a protective wear layer |
| Warranty | 50 years residential, 15 years commercial |
| Joist Spacing | 24 in. on centre, minimum 1.5 in. true joist width |
| Stair Spacing | 12 in. on centre |
| Fasteners | Chain collated clip, Starborn Clip & Rip, Hulk |
| Coverage | 5.95 in. of deck width per grooved board, gap included |
| Profile | Actual Size | Lengths | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grooved deck board | 0.826" x 5.708" | 12', 16', 20' | 1.48 lb/ft |
| Starter board, grooved 1 edge | 0.838" x 5.708" | 20' only | 1.55 lb/ft |
Sizes are from the Goodfellow Richmond Eva-Last price page dated 1 August 2026. Weights are the manufacturer's mass per metre converted to pounds per foot. The riser figure is calculated from cross-section rather than published directly. Source: Eva-Last Pioneer Decking Installation Guide (PDF).
How to Install
- Check the frame. Joists at 24 in. on centre or closer, each at least 1.5 in. wide across the top, and at least 1.5 in. of clearance underneath so air can move. Stairs go to 12 in. on centre.
- Leave the boards flat on site for a day before laying them, so they are at the temperature they will settle at.
- Run the starter board around the perimeter, solid edge out.
- Drop a hidden clip into the groove at every joist and drive it. Two fasteners per joist, 10 to 20 mm back from the board ends. Stop as soon as the clip seats, over-torquing crushes the groove.
- Leave the end gap the installation guide's table gives for the temperature on the day. Boards move about 0.04 mm per metre per degree Celsius.
- Finish the rim and stair faces with Pioneer fascia and riser, face-fixed with colour-matched trim screws, keeping fasteners 30 mm from any edge.
| Joist spacing, deck | 24 in. on centre maximum |
|---|---|
| Joist spacing, stairs | 12 in. on centre maximum |
| Minimum joist width | 1.5 in. across the top |
| Minimum ground clearance | 1.5 in. under the boards |
| Fasteners per joist | Two |
| Clip distance from board end | 10 to 20 mm |
| Thermal movement | 0.04 mm per metre per degree Celsius |
Full span tables, end gap tables and stair details are in the Eva-Last Pioneer Decking Installation Guide (PDF). Cutting this board releases glass fibre particulate, so wear an N95 mask and eye protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this on 24 inch joists?
Yes. Pioneer deck boards are rated for 24 in. on centre provided every joist is at least 1.5 in. wide across the top. That is wider spacing than most composites allow, and it is the main reason Pioneer suits decking over an existing 24 in. frame. Stair treads drop to 12 in. on centre.
What is the starter board for?
It is grooved on one edge and solid on the other, so the solid edge finishes a deck perimeter, a picture frame or a stair edge cleanly with no groove showing. It is made in 20 ft only.
Do any screws show?
Not on the deck surface. The grooved edges take hidden clips that sit between boards. Fascia and riser boards are face-fixed, so use colour-matched trim screws on those.
How big is the gap between boards?
The clip sets the side gap for you. End gaps depend on how warm it is when you lay the boards, because the board moves about 0.04 mm per metre for every degree Celsius. Work it out from the table in the installation guide rather than guessing.
Will the printed grain wear off?
The print sits underneath the wear layer, not on top of it, so foot traffic runs on the clear cap rather than on the pattern. Eva-Last backs it for 50 years residential.
How is this different from Infinity?
Infinity is a capped bamboo-plastic composite: 16 in. joist spacing and a 30 year residential warranty. Pioneer is bamboo foamed-PVC, lighter per foot, spans 24 in., and carries 50 years. Pioneer costs more and looks closer to real hardwood.
Do I need to seal or stain it?
No. Wash it with soap and water when it gets dirty. Do not sand it, do not pressure-wash it close up, and do not stain it, all three cut into the wear layer that the warranty depends on.
What finishes the deck edge?
Pioneer fascia covers the rim board and Pioneer riser covers stair faces, both in the same three colours. See the Pioneer fascia and riser boards.