To install decking, we can use hidden fasteners to have a clean-looking surface that is smooth to bare feet and also very aesthetically pleasing. These can be used with almost all different varieties of materials such as cedar, composite, vinyl, cedar, or any other exotic hardwood material. Some decking materials offer boards with grooved edges that are designed to be used with hidden fasteners clips. Deck clips can also be installed by routing the edges of solid deck boards however such pre-grooved boards do not have a standard groove size therefore it should be verified that hidden fasteners are compatible with your choice of decking boards before ordering.
Read more: How to Install Composite Decking
Popular Hidden Fastener Systems:
Camo Hidden Deck Fastening System:
A fastener-free flooring surface is created by installing deck screws at an angle into the side of the deck board using the Camo Marksman tool. The Camo system can be used with composite decking materials, PVC decking materials, and solid wood decking materials. The screws that you can purchase for 5/4 decking are 1-7/8" long, and for 2x6 decking they are 2-3/8" long.
Eb-ty:
This hidden fastener system is made from polypropylene plastic and is supposed to fit in the slotted edges that are cut inside the decking boards to create truly screw-free surfacing. It comes in the form of an oval. Eb-ty comes in several profiles
Original: is suited for 3/32” or in ¼” board spacing for ipe, redwood, and for correct deck composite
Mini: This has a lower profile and height than a thinner board.
Live Cylinder: This series can absorb a 5/32” expansion of deck material. This is ideal for working with composite decking in cold weather climates as composite decking will expand and contract a noticeable amount throughout the seasons.
Top Screws: This series spaces decking at ⅛” or 3/16” for a select few brands of composite decking. Be sure to check in with the manufacturer whether or not the brand of certain decking can work with these types of Eb-ty fasteners.
Swan Secure #7”: These are stainless steel screws which are ideal with Eb-Ty systems. They are the recommended screw to be used with eb-ty systems.
Tiger Claw Hidden Fastener:
It is manufactured by Fastenmaster, a company that specializes in stainless steel clip manufacturer for the purpose of decking. Their products allow the consumer to achieve a truly fastener-free decking surface. They have several products for different applications suited to each and every decking need.
TC-G Grooved Board Hidden Deck Fastener: this is an all-purpose solution that works for grooved and non-grooved deck boards. This uses a TC-150 slot cutter. The clip works with several name-brand composites such as Trex Select, Evergrain, Fiberon Horizons, ChoiceDeck, Wolf PVC, Island, MoistureSheild, Paramount, Tuf-Dek, and veranda armor guard composites. This is also suited for most of the pre-grooved exotic hardwoods.
TC-1 Clip: Made with hardened carbon steel. This has teeth that can be driven into the sides of softwood decking in a 3 step installation process.
TC-2 Clip: This is a variant of the TC-1 but made with stainless steel instead of hardened carbon steel.
TC-3: This clip is designed specifically to create a 3/16” gap for non-grooved composite and mahogany decking.
TC-4: this is a similar design but instead creates a ⅛” gap and is designed to work with ¾” x 5/4” x 4” hardwood planks.
TC-120: This clip has sharp prongs that are compatible with hardwood decks that are ¾” x 4” or 6”.
Tiger Claw Pneumatic Gun: This holds the TC clips in place while you screw it to secure the decking. This can be used for installing screws at about 400 square feet per hour.
Cortex Hidden Fastener:
Also manufactured by Fastenemaster, Unlike other hidden fastening systems this doesn't involve any clips but rather a more simple solution that drills screws below the deck surface which creates a small hole that can be filled with color-matched plugs to create a smooth floor surface without any clips. These color-matched plugs are available for all major lines of composite decking brands. You can use a cortex setting tool drill bit to install about 350 fasteners in place. Beware that the color-matched plugs work best on decks with minimal variation in the color.
Ipe Clip Hidden Fastener:
The system is manufactured by DeckWise. A round clip is used between Ipe hardwood boards or composite deck boards to create a 3/32" gap for stainless steel screws in the T9 star drive system. These clips come in three colors - Ipe Brown, Patina Gray, and Shadowline Black - and are made from UV-resistant fiberglass reinforced material. This clip is square in profile and installs similarly to the Standard clip from the top down. In order to use the ExtremeKD, you must use Kiln Dried decking. The Extreme4 fastener clip allows hardwood and composite boards to expand and contract more easily. You can purchase all of the clips in 175 clip kits with drill bits and 100 clip kits.
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