Why Should You Opt For A Hidden Deck Fastener System?

When it comes to your deck, what are the most unappreciated parts? That’s easy – the fasteners, screws, and nails. But they are essential. They hold that deck together and in place! Each and every day, despite the fury of the elements, they stand firm and do their job. When they fail, however, rather than a usable outdoor structure, you are left with a rickety, rackety pile of debris.

A hidden deck fastener system provides a system that is durable and strong. Firmly to the substructure, this system holds your deck securely. Additionally, a smooth surface is provided, which is far preferable for walking.

Old-School Deck Fastening

In days of old, when wooden boards needed to be anchored to a deck substructure, surface fastening was a common method. “Surface fastening” simply being a technical way of referring to a task that is familiar to all of us – driving a screw or nail into underneath material directly through a board. Still used today, this is also a technique that is utilized when deck boards need to be attached to steel framing (light gauge).

When securing a screw to the deck substructure through a composite deck board, however, the process is altered slightly. First, the installer must drill a pilot hole. This way, they will not ruin the composite board because the pinhole helps prevent pressure cracks. Over-tightening of the screw must also be avoided because it can deform the board’s surface and cause, around the screw, the material to rise up and bulge.

When working across an entire deck, surface installation of composite does have its disadvantages.

Composite Surface Installation Disadvantages

When building a deck out of composite, using the surface installation system can end up with an unpleasant looking deck. Any number of homeowners have mentioned that repeating lines of fasteners are objectionable. But that’s not all.

The whole point of using composite is to get away from the undesirable aspects of wood – it rots and warps. For that reason, composite deck boards are comprised of the blending together of plastics and bamboo or wood byproducts. After that, to keep moisture from getting in, they are ordinarily wrapped in a moisture resistant cap. You’re opening up a potential path for moisture to invade the board when you drive a screw through it! Add more screws, and you have created more open invitations for moisture. You’ve completely defeated the purpose of composite!

Hidden Composite Deck Fastener Systems

Without needing hardware that actually enters the board, but to hold boards securely to the deck, a hidden fastener system can be used to build your composite deck. Purchase your composite deck boards with a groove in the side. Into this, a clip slides and is screwed to the deck joist. Onto the same clip slides the next board in the series. Onto the other side of that board goes another set of clips. The process is repeated over and over for full deck covering. A smooth deck is the end result and the fasteners are hidden away. No damage to people’s feet or to the board.

Are you in the market for a stunning front, side, or backyard deck? A wise choice would be to go with a professional deck service. They know all the ins and outs, the ups and downs, and the rights and wrongs of constructing a beautiful, fully utilitarian deck to beautify and increase the value of your home.