Hidden fasteners can be used to install decking for a clean aesthetic and a smooth surface for bare feet. Composite, vinyl, cedar, ipe, and other exotic hardwood materials can all be utilized with hidden fasteners. Many manufactured decking materials sell grooved edge deck boards that may be used with concealed fasteners. You may also make a space for deck clips by routing the edges of solid deck planks. It’s worth noting that pre grooved boards don’t have a set groove size. Before buying, double-check that the concealed fasteners will work with the decking boards you’ve chosen.
Types of concealed fasteners
The most common concealed fastener systems are described here.
Camo Hidden Deck Fastening System
To produce a fastener-free floor surface, this approach employs the Camo Marksman tool to place deck screws at an angle into the side of the kompositbrædder. The Camo system has a Limited Lifetime Warranty and may be used with any type of composite, PVC, or solid wood decking material. Screws in 1-7/8″ for 5/4 decking and 2-3/8″ for 2×6 decking are available in stainless steel or protech coated steel.
Eb-Ty
This polypropylene plastic oval-shaped biscuit type concealed fastener is meant to fit in the slotted edge of decking boards to provide a screw-free deck surface. The following profiles are available for Eb-Ty: Original: For Ipe, Redwood, Cedar, and Correct Deck Composite, providing a 3/32″ or 1/4″ board spacing. Mini: For thinner deck boards, this shape has a shorter height. The live cylinder series can absorb up to a 5/32 of an inch of water “The deck material expands. When working with composite decking in cold areas, this is great. For certain models of composite decking, the top screw series spaces decking at 1/8″ or 3/16”. Swan wins #7 by a score of 2-1/4 “Screws made of stainless steel are appropriate for use with the Eb-Ty system.
Tiger Claw
Fastenmaster makes stainless steel clips that attach between deck boards to produce a fastener-free decking surface. Using the TC-150 slot cutter, the TC-G Grooved Board Hidden Deck Fastener works with grooved and non-grooved deck boards. Trex Select, Evergrain, ChoiceDeck, Fiberon Horizons, Pro-Tect, Paramount, Wolf PVC, Island, Moistureshield, Tuf-Dek, Veranda Armorguard composites, and most pre-grooved exotic hardwoods are all compatible with this clip.
In a three-step installation method, the TC-1 clip is composed of hardened carbon steel and features teeth that can be pressed into the sides of softwood decking. The TC-2 is similar to the TC-1, however it is constructed of stainless steel. For non grooved composite and mahogany decking, the TC-3 is designed to provide a 3/16″ gap. The TC-4 has the same design features as the TC-3, but it has a 1/8″ gap and is made to work with 34″ and 5/4″ x 4″ hardwood boards. Sharp prongs on the TC-120 clip make it suitable with 34″ x 4″ or 6″ hardwood deck planks. The Tiger Claw Pneumatic Installation Gun secures decking by holding Tiger Claw clips in place while driving a screw. With this instrument, you can install around 400 square feet every hour.
Trex hideaway hidden fastening system
This 14-inch self-spacing connection clip comes with 1-5/8-inch screws and is meant to go between Trex grooved composite decking planks. One bucket can cover 500 square feet, whereas one box can cover 50 square feet. A start clip is available for use along the house wall and at the front border of your deck. To router a slot on the side of solid composite deck board edges, you can buy a groove cutter. This black universal clip is constructed of glass filled nylon. The Trex Steel Frame System is also compatible with the clip.
Cortex hidden fastening system
Because it does not employ clips put between deck boards, this technique differs from most other concealed decking fastening solutions. Cortex drills screws below the deck surface with a Torxttap drive mechanism, leaving a small hole that can be filled with specific color-matched plugs to create a smooth floor surface without clips. Fastenmaster makes Cortex, which is suitable with PVC, Composite, and Capped Composite decking. Azek, Evergrain, Trex Accents, Select, Transcend, Enhance, Clubhouse, Fiberon, Gossen, Kleer, Timbertech Earthwood Evolutions, Twin Finish, XLM, Wolf, and Paralam all have color-matched plugs available. With one Cortex Setting Tool Drill Bit, you can install about 350 fasteners.
ConceaLoc
This concealed deck clip is designed to work with Timbertech’s XLM, Earthwood Evolutions, and Twin Finish grooved deck boards. The brown stainless steel clip has a 1/8″ to 3/16″ gap between the deck boards. Stainless steel screws are included with the clips. ConceaLoc clips are available in 175, 900, and 1750 count containers, as well as drill and router bits that are compatible. A 25-year warranty is included with this device.