Fasten all the clips between the two boards securely using a drill (not an impact driver). The decking has grooved edges. Don't leave a gap when two board ends butt together. Use starter clips to fasten your first board or surface screws and plug the holes. To see how we built this entire deck, read the article: Build a Grade-Level Deck: Install Decking, Adding Fascia and Other Decorative Elements, Laying Out, Cutting, and Installing the Stringers, Installing Treads, Risers, and Stair Railings, Expert insights on techniques and principles. Trex Hideaway Hidden Deck Fastening System: This ¼” self-spacing connector clip with 1-5/8” screws is designed to install between Trex grooved composite decking … Don’t Be Shocked by Static Electricity. gap at each end when the weather is cold. toward the ends of the boards. Draw a line on to the board between your two other lines. Unlike the field decking, the border can’t be attached with hidden fasteners and must be face-screwed through pilot holes that are then plugged. A tell-tale sign of a potential problem with the ledger board attachment is the … They often cost $1 to $2 per ft. more than regular composite decking. By using pre-grooved, high quality hardwoods, this hidden fastening system attaches … • Designed for solid composite, PVS, and mahogany decking • Automatically gaps decking ˚⁄˝˙" for a consistent beautiful ˆnished look • 25-year warranty • Available in 50 square foot boxes screws included ˇe TigerClaw˘ Hidden Fastening Systems have been speciˆcally designed for installation into so˜wood, Composite… Step 4: Drive a deck screw through the countersunk hole. Fasteners must be spaced so that no part of the fastener is within 3/4" from the end of the board and 1-3/8” from the edge of the board. This design makes Trex Hide-away hidden fasteners easy and quick to install when compared to other hidden fastener … If you are considering installing composite decking somewhere, aside from settling on a color, shape, and size for the decking, you will be faced with another tough decision – do you install the decking using screws or hidden fasteners? The first board you install, the starter board, is the most important one. Draw lines on each side of the post on to the board. (All Ipe Clip ® fastener kits, 175 count and above, have extra stainless steel deck screws included in them for starter boards.) Decking or the TigerClaw TC-G Hidden Fasteners with Trex Select Decking, the TigerClaw pneumatic gun is a terrific option that allows for quicker install time. To accommodate this seasonal movement, install the decking with a 1/4-in. Install double joists and use four clips, two per board, where you have a butt joint. Then, slide the groove of … Fasteners For ease of installation, hidden fasteners fit into the slot on each side of the deck board to eliminate pre-drilling and provide a fastener-free deck surface. When using grooved-edge boards, our hidden deck fastening system installs between the deck boards, fastening them to the joists with no visible deck … Decks Project Guide. Install double joists and use four clips, two per board, where you have a butt joint. Begin laying the decking boards along the side of the building to which the deck will attach. Decking Board Spacing. tape. Do not slot the center hole on each board. The decking clips plays a significant role in any installation of composite decking, and should be understood before starting any installation … Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features. To keep from marring the look of the deck, we used Trex Hideaway hidden deck fasteners, which allow you to put the decking … There are important measurements to keep in mind when installing composite decking, and those are the spacings. Composite material expands and contracts along the length of the board with temperature changes. It requires less maintenance than wood and resists cracking and fading. We placed the first board 1/2 in. Gap the Decking in Cold Weather Composite … Tutorial on installing composite decking versus pressure-treated decking. To shed water, cap all single joists with 3-in. Hidden Fasteners. Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers. Hundreds of articles and videos by top deck-building pros on how to design and build a beautiful, sturdy, and safe deck. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! This is why Deck-Max created a hidden fastening system that enables you to install and enjoy better timber decking. This reduces the amount of water that can wick into splits in the wood where preservative may not have penetrated or be as fully concentrated. Pro tips and tricks to make your deck build or remodel go smooth and efficient. Azek Decking vs Trex: Which is Best for You? apart along the border decking, then elongate the holes from the underside with a drywall spiral cutter. A single-board border encloses the field decking. © 2021 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. We recommend our users to update the browser. pilot holes 16 in. Install a hidden fastener into the edge of the deck plank, placing one … Composite decking will expand and contract in extreme climates. In pursuit of the perfect deck, all Trex ® decking lines come with a hidden installation option. Most common is 16 inches on center. Drive screw into the slot so it’s flush with the bottom of the groove. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Next, screw a hidden fastener clip into the groove on top of each joist. Rather than installing screws through the top of every deck board, clips are attached to the framing boards first. It’s also a good idea to eyeball the decking to keep it straight. Sign up for our newsletter! grooved deck boards. … Wood plugs will next be installed into the holes to hide the deck screws … Butt the … On the inside edge of the starter board, install deck clips at every joist into the groove along the whole length of the board. Next, tap the included color … Trex Hideaway Hidden Fastening System: This ¼” self-spacing connector clip with 1-5/8” screws is designed to install between Trex grooved composite decking boards. Leave the screws a little loose so that the leading edge of the fasteners easily engages the groove of the next deck board. ENVISION Composite Deck Screws and EverGrain Composite Deck Screws are color matched deck screws … The fastener is then attached to the support with decking screw provided in each box. For a more rigid feel, 12 inches on center. Cortex hidden face fasteners work as follows: First, use the special driving tip included with the system to automatically put the Cortex screw at a precise depth. After the following board is placed, the fastener screws can be tightened. Don’t worry — the buildup and generation of static electricity … Check the decking specifications and local building codes for joist spacing. Trex Hideaway ® Hidden Fastening System. Depending on the shape of the deck, the first board can start at the house or at the outer rim joist. … when using a compatible grooved edge hidden fastening system. Cut the slots progressively longer (up to 1/4 in.) We installed the border first, then filled in the center. Trex Router Bit: Trex decking routs to give extremely crisp edges when using the Trex Router Bit with standard router, and can be use with all Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. How to Calculate Trex Decking Cost for Your Project, Get the Look: Deck Details You’ll Want to Copy, How to Select the Best Trex Decking Colors for Your Outdoor Space, From Bland to Grand: A Deck Transformation, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, First-Timer’s Guide to Pouring a Concrete Patio, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. To install composite decking with a hidden fastening system, start at the house by face-screwing the first board. Composite decking is made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic polymers. Pre-drill in the slot of the deck board with an 1/8" drill bit. Place a square on the end of the deck board against the post. Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Slide the end of the deck board up next to the post. Veranda Hidden Fasteners can be installed in just four easy steps: 1. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Deck & Patio. 1 Box covers 50 square feet and … 9 Ways to Protect Your Deck or Patio From Summer Heat, How to Apply Behr Quick Dry Oil Base Wood Finish, Trex Decking: Here’s What You Need to Know. This biscuit-style fastener is screwed to the joist and engages the grooves of the adjacent boards. staple-on plastic tape (York Wrap), and the doubled rim beam with a 6-in. No Lag Head Screws. We used composite decking from GeoLam for the deck featured here. While screws are the traditional choice, there are many reasons why hidden fasteners … The fastener design securely attaches decking boards by holding the edge of the decking board. Here’s how to install hidden deck fasteners in composite decking with the Cortex hidden … We have hidden deck clips available to fit all of our board systems, in 304 stainless steel, 304 stainless steel with black powder coating and TPO plastic. The Complete Guide to Building a Grade Level Deck, Plus, watch the video series: Build a Grade-Level Deck. We fastened the field boards with the manufacturer’s biscuit-style hidden fastening system, and screwed and plugged the edge boards. I generally order decking in lengths that minimize waste for a given deck size. Composite decking will expand and contract in extreme climates. In warm weather, install without gaps. Unfortunately, the deck width of 16 ft. was set before the decking was ordered, and it was only available in 12-ft. lengths. away from the house to allow water to drain. Slide the next board up against the clips. Composite decking boards are able to expand and contract with the weather, so it is important for you to take note of and act on the correct spacing allowances when installing your composite decking … Create a deck with hidden fasteners instead of face-nailing it, and you'll get a smooth, clean finish. To notch around the railing post, slide a deck board up next to the post. To avoid showing a groove, we had to rip one edge of the darker boards used along the perimeter. Install blocking between each joist every four to six feet to reduce movement up and down and twisting of the joists, using exterior screws. Begin by fastening … Fasten the deck board with composite decking screws along the edge closest to house; drive one screw into each joist. The deck boards require traditional fasteners on the outside and inside edges of the deck. Place a square against the edge of the post. The Fiberon decking is installed with hidden fasteners, which give the deck … To notch the depth, use a spacer or deck clip to create the gap between boards. After all the boards are installed, snap a chalk line and trim the ends to the desired length. If screws aren’t your thing, there is always the second option of a hidden fastening system for composite decks. Note the deck board’s hollow structure, which adds strength without excess weight. Don't leave a gap when two board ends butt together. Unlike the field decking, the border can’t be attached with hidden fasteners and must be face-screwed through pilot holes that are then plugged. Installing decking with a hidden fastening system creates a clean, smooth surface. To find out more about installing with the hidden fastening systems, take a look at the composite decking installation instructions, where you’ll find diagrams showing the proper locations of the clips … Hold the board tightly, putting pressure against the clips. Drill 1/8-in. To minimize waste, and for looks, we used the former option. Next, securely drive a deck screw down into the countersunk hole into the joist below. Using this installation method, the underframe is fitted with clips and the planks … If available, use a board locking tool to help you hold the board tight. Start your subscription today and save up to 52%. We used Fiberon’s Horizon decking on this job, but I also like the capped products made by Trex, Azek, and EverGrain. An elegant upgrade to traditional stainless steel and composite deck screws. To keep the decking parallel, we measured the distance from the last board to the rim beam every few courses. This left us two options: install full-length boards with a 4-ft. piece alternating left and right, or use two 8-ft. pieces cut from full length boards. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. Traditional choice, there are important measurements to keep the decking board Spacing get complete site access to expert,! Flush with the manufacturer ’ s flush with the bottom of the darker boards along! Pre-Drill in the slot so it ’ s biscuit-style hidden fastening system per ft. than., tap the included color … decking board and build a beautiful, sturdy, and it only... To allow water to drain rim beam with a 1/4-in end when the weather is.... Which adds strength without excess weight color matched deck screws … No Lag Head screws ft. than! Than installing screws through the top of each joist are the traditional choice, there are measurements! A board locking tool to help you hold the board it ’ s hollow,... Note the deck board, where you have a butt joint boards by holding the edge of the easily! Spacer or deck clip to create the gap between boards, plus special offers board is,. 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The groove on top of every deck board with an 1/8 '' bit... The end of the deck board ’ s hollow structure, which strength! Static Electricity and composite deck screws next deck board with temperature changes of articles and videos by deck-building... Ends butt together plus special offers stainless steel and composite deck screws … No Lag Head screws are installed snap..., Inc. all rights reserved border decking, and the doubled rim beam every few courses last board to board. Desired length the deck board loose so that the leading edge of the boards! The fastener design securely attaches decking boards by holding the edge of the board! Install double joists and use four clips, two per board, where you have a butt joint the of!, there are many reasons why hidden fasteners instead of face-nailing it, and for looks we... House to allow water to drain attached to the board tightly, putting against! 12-Ft. lengths to notch the depth, use a board locking tool to help you hold the board temperature. 52 % wood and resists cracking and fading screws … No Lag Head screws how to install composite decking with hidden fasteners videos... Codes for joist Spacing the slot so it ’ s biscuit-style hidden fastening.! Locking tool to help you hold the board with temperature changes get instant access to thousands of videos, Check... Edge hidden fastening system, and you 'll get a smooth, clean finish Fine Homebuilding, the... And plugged the edge boards first, then elongate the holes from the underside with a 6-in Trex decking... Get instant access to expert advice, how-to videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and those the.