Boards with no spacing
Without the side gap the clip provides, usually 5 to 6 mm, water cannot drain and the boards push against each other until they bow. The board ends also need clearance at walls and between consecutive boards.
Indoor WPC and composite decking
WPC flooring in Medellín: interiors and outdoor decks
Pisos Pro Medellín installs WPC in two versions: rigid planks for apartment and house interiors, and composite decking for balconies, terraces and pool areas. We are flooring specialists with more than 15 years and over 900 jobs across the Aburrá Valley and Eastern Antioquia.
We serve high-rise apartments in El Poblado and Envigado where noise traveling to the neighbor below is a concern, Laureles houses with patios, and country homes (fincas) in Llanogrande and Rionegro that want a deck without the upkeep of real wood.
Outdoors, the job is more about structure than flooring: slope, sleepers and fasteners decide how long the deck lasts.
- Quiet indoor floor
- Deck with no oils or sealers
- Does not attract termites
- 1-year warranty
WPC flooring installation in Medellín, indoors and outdoors
WPC stands for wood plastic composite. In Colombia the name covers two products that have nothing in common, so it pays to know which one you are being offered.
Indoor WPC is a click-lock vinyl plank, a cousin of SPC, but with a thicker, lighter foamed core. Outdoor WPC is a solid or hollow-profile board of plant fiber and polymer that clips onto a frame, like a wood deck.
What each service includes:
- Indoors: leveling, underlayment, floating installation, transition strips and baseboards
- Outdoors: slope and drain check, sleepers, clips, edge trims and access hatches
- Both: site visit, itemized quote and handover with a signed completion record
Rigid WPC for interiors: warmer and quieter than SPC
The core of indoor WPC is foamed PVC, full of tiny air cells. That makes it lighter, softer under bare feet and less cold to the touch, something you appreciate in the cooler homes of Eastern Antioquia.
It also transmits less impact noise: heels, chairs and toys sound muffled downstairs. That is why we suggest it for bedrooms, studies and upper floors in buildings with strict noise rules.
The trade-off is point loads: the thin leg of heavy furniture or a stiletto heel can dent it. We recommend wide-base furniture pads and avoid WPC in shops with carts or wheeled traffic.
WPC decking for balconies, terraces and pool areas
Composite decking blends wood or bamboo fiber with polyethylene or PVC. It does not rot, does not splinter under bare feet and offers nothing for termites (comején) to eat, a common pest in homes and fincas in the region, covered in our guide to termites and pests in floors.
We build it on structural WPC or aluminum sleepers spaced 30 to 40 cm apart, per the board's spec sheet, with hidden stainless steel clips. The slab needs a 1% to 2% slope toward the drain, and the deck never covers floor drains or cleanouts.
We prefer capped (co-extruded) boards, whose outer shell better resists grease, sunscreen and UV. On condominium balconies we first check whether the change needs building management's sign-off, as explained in our guide to building rules for floor renovation.
SPC or WPC: a quick comparison
Both resist surface water and install as floating floors. The difference lies in how they feel underfoot and how well they handle point loads; if your priority is a kitchen, pets or a rental, see our SPC flooring page.
| Feature | SPC | Indoor WPC |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Limestone and PVC, solid | Foamed PVC, with air cells |
| Rigidity | Very high, more tolerant of imperfect bases | Medium, needs a flatter base |
| Weight | Heavy | Lighter |
| Comfort underfoot | Firm and cooler | Soft and warmer |
| Impact noise | Relies on a good acoustic pad | Quieter on its own |
| Dent and impact resistance | High | Lower under point loads |
| Total installed per m² in Medellín | COP $85,000 to $170,000 | COP $120,000 to $220,000 |
Thermal expansion in the sun: the most common terrace mistake
Midday sun in Medellín is intense all year, and composite decking expands with heat considerably more than wood. Almost every warped deck we inspect has one of these three problems.
No ventilation underneath
A deck laid directly on the slab heats up from below, traps moisture and dirt, and invites mold. Sleepers lift the boards and let air circulate.
Rigid fastening
Face-screwing the boards as if they were wood stops them from moving and eventually cracks the material around each screw. A hidden clip holds the board while letting it expand.
WPC price per m²
2026 reference ranges for Medellín in Colombian pesos; the final figure comes from the site visit.
For outdoor decking, price depends mostly on the structure: sleeper type, adjustable pedestals to correct slopes, meters of edge trim and cuts around pools or planters. That is why we quote it after measuring on site.
| Item | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Indoor WPC, material | COP $95,000 to $180,000 per m² |
| Indoor WPC, labor | COP $20,000 to $30,000 per m² |
| Indoor WPC, total installed | COP $120,000 to $220,000 per m² |
| Outdoor WPC deck with framing | Per project, by board, sleepers and trims |
| Installed baseboards (indoors) | COP $12,000 to $30,000 per linear meter |
How we install WPC
- 1
Visit and choosing the system
We confirm whether the space is indoors or outdoors, measure, and check moisture, slope and drainage.
- 2
Indoors: base and acclimation
We level the base, leave the boxes in the room for at least 24 hours and roll out a vapor barrier if the spec sheet calls for one.
- 3
Indoors: floating installation
We lock the planks together with a perimeter gap and a transition strip at every doorway. A 60 to 80 m² apartment is ready in 2 to 4 days.
- 4
Outdoors: framing
We anchor the sleepers to the slab with expansion plugs or set them on adjustable pedestals, always running in the direction that helps drainage.
- 5
Outdoors: boards and clips
We lay the boards with stainless steel clips, keeping the side and end gaps the manufacturer specifies.
- 6
Edge trims and handover
We close the edges with a trim profile or fascia board, run water to confirm it drains toward the outlet and hand over with a signed record. A 20 to 30 m² terrace usually takes 2 to 3 days.
WPC flooring FAQ
Does a WPC deck need maintenance?
Far less than wood: no oils, sealers or sanding. Sweeping and washing it with water and mild soap a few times a year is enough, more often if it sits under trees or beside the pool.
Grease stains from barbecues come out more easily if you clean them right away.
Can WPC get wet?
Yes, but these are different products. Outdoor decking is made for rain and direct sun; indoor WPC handles spills and mopping, but not the elements.
Putting indoor WPC on an uncovered balcony is a common mistake: the sun warps it and water gets in through the joints.
Does a WPC deck get hot in the sun?
Yes, more so in dark colors. A light gray or sand deck stays noticeably cooler than a dark brown or charcoal one, which matters around pools where people walk barefoot.
On very exposed terraces we recommend light tones and, if possible, partial shade from a pergola or awning.
Get a quote for your WPC floor or deck
Send us photos of the space, indoors or outdoors, and we will book a free site visit to measure, check slopes and recommend the right system.
Every WPC installation carries a 1-year workmanship warranty covering loose boards, open seams or uneven areas caused by the installation.
Pisos Pro Medellín
Tv. 6 #45-115, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Monday to Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.