Types

Types of Invisible Deck Fasteners

There are numerous hidden deck fasteners on the market today. Each one of these fastening systems is made up of different materials, each with unique attributes. The two main categories that hidden deck fasteners fall into is:

• Side mounted hidden deck fasteners – Side mounted fasteners can be installed in two different ways. They can either be installed using “pre-grooved decking” boards. Click on pre-grooved decking to learn more about it, if you are not familiar with this decking material. Most hardwood and composite decking suppliers regularly stock pre-grooved decking material. If you are not sure about your supplier contact them today and ask. Alternatively, most side mounted hidden deck fasteners can be installed with standard decking planks. Most installers (or DIYer’s) cut slots on the side of standard decking planks with either a biscuit jointer or a router. If you are installing standard decking with side mounted hidden deck fasteners just lay each decking plank over the floor joists and cut a slot on the side of the board where each fastener will be installed. Side mounted hidden deck fasteners are installed from the TOP SIDE of the deck surface. This is a huge advantage to using side mounted fasteners opposed to underside fasteners.
• Underside mounted hidden deck fasteners – Underside hidden deck fasteners are installed using standard decking boards. This means you do not have to buy pre-grooved decking material or cut slots on standard decking planks. This my save you a very small amount of time or money but this is greatly outweighed by the fact that these fasteners have to be installed on the UNDERSIDE of the decking boards. This essentially requires the installer to “stand on his/her head”.