In our professional opinion, the best and most attractive way to install your composite decking is with hidden fasteners!
Depending on the type of composite decking board you choose, you are able to use hidden fasteners to ‘soft install’ your decking, resulting in a cleaner, more attractive-looking deck. Composite deck boards with a grooved edge allow hidden fasteners to be placed on either side and then screwed down into the deck’s frame. Meaning deck screws do not have to be drilled into the deck’s body, avoiding damage to the board and ensuring longevity. This is what provides a perfect, clean finish.
Types of Fasteners
There are two types of fasteners available to use when installing a deck; starter fasteners and hidden fasteners.
Starter fasteners are required by nearly all deck installations. This is the metal clip used to install and secure the very first and last deck boards of each run. Its purpose is to provide stability to the outer deck, resulting in the longevity of the deck’s body.
Hidden fasteners are the fasteners that create the gap between each individual board, which are secured and drilled down at each crossover of board and joist. Their purpose is to hold the boards in place across the main body of the deck and come with a whole host of features and benefits, including;
- Easy installation, either pneumatically or using a drill
- Available in a variety of sizes for different project types
- Concealed to preserve the deck’s clean finish
- Less likely to succumb to damage
- Less risk for pets, children and feet
- Built-in spacer provides a uniform gap between each board
Why does there have to be a gap between boards?
DeckPlus’ composite decking requires a gap between each board of 3-5mm in order for the warranty to be satisfied. This is to account for expansion and contraction of the deck boards within a variety of climates. If boards are not installed with an appropriate gap, there is a risk that the deck’s warranty will be void. Hidden fasteners enable you to install your boards with the correct gap in between, avoiding any potential issues with your deck’s warranty.
Here at DeckPlus, our hidden deck fasteners are available in different size options, catering for a variety of projects. Whether you’re looking to install a small deck or a large one, we have the hidden fasteners to match. Visit our decking accessories page today to learn more about the hidden fasteners options that we have available.
You can also find more information and instructions on our hidden deck fasteners within our installation resources. Click below to find out more!
Browse Installation Resources >
Want to speak to a member of the DeckPlus team about our hidden deck fasteners, composite deck boards or anything else? Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today. We’d be more than happy to hear from you.
