All about the Pros and Cons of different Deck Fastening Methods including, Clips versus CAMO Edge Fastening
The most secure way to fasten any hardwood decking board to the joists/frame is with 2.5″ Stainless Steel Screws through the face of the boards. We always provide pre-drill countersink tools (SmartBits) that create a recessed hole that perfectly fits the heads of our discreet, brown-headed screws. While this is the most secure way to fasten boards, it is not the most popular.
Many customers do not want to see the heads of the screws. The Hidden Fastening methods are more popular, but by using a Hidden/Concealed fastener, you concede on the “secure-ness” of the fastening system. In short, simple is stronger. Just keep this in mind when considering the best fastening method for your project.
These are the best screws for installing Brazilian Hardwood decking and dimensional lumber. Facescrews are the most secure way to fasten Brazilian Hardwoods. They are typically from one of two manufacturers, DeckWise or Starborn. Stainless Steel is important for use with Brazilian Hardwoods. Standard or Coated Steel Screws will cause stains around the heads of the screws. We sell Smart-Bits with EVERY order with these screws. They help achieve a beautiful, discreet, and straightforward installation.
Detailed instructions for Face Screwing.
Smart – BitThis combined parabolic drill bit and countersink is the best tool to drill perfect holes for the Headcote screws. The counter sink stops at the perfect depth every time. Available in #8 or #7 and comes with 2 replacement bits. The replacement pack has 5 replacement bits.
Hidden Fasteners have become increasingly popular. Not all hidden fastening methods are created equal! But, we have vetted dozens of Hidden Fastening methods over the years and we only provide the systems that we truly believe in. For instance, we will never sell a solid plastic “clip”. They break, screws drive through them and some of them squeak. Durable decking needs durable fasteners to ensure the longest useful life.
None of the following systems are “better” than another. Each installer has his/her preference and after familiarizing yourself with them, you will too. Please refer to the video at the top of the page for more detailed explanations of these systems.
Our Deck Clips are specific to Brazilian Wood Depot and cannot be purchased anywhere else. Many installers prefer our clips because they,
The video to the right breaks down these specific features and benefits and includes a demonstration of how to properly use them. Please also refer to the instruction document for Deck Clips, Deck Clip Instructions
Standard deck clips are only .75″ long. That length is fine along the length of the board, but on butt joints you had only one of two options. Either fit the corners of the boards under one clip, which only give yous 3/8″ of grab. Or, try to get two clips on one joist which is also not ideal.
Now, we have XTRA long, Double-wide clips. These clips are specifically for butt joints. Every bag of our Deck Clips will now include a small number of DOUBLE WIDE clips! This feature doesn’t exist anywhere else on the market and are the ULTIMATE SOLUTION for securing your butt-joints.
Camo Hidden Deck FastenersThe CAMO Edge-Fastening system has become VERY popular. Both, for its straightforward nature and the considerable savings, in cost. Grooves are NOT required for this system because it is not a “clip” system. This futher reduces the overall cost of an order AND eliminates the headaches that can sometimes arise with grooved boards.
Screws are pre-drilled and driven into the side, just below the corner, at a 45 degree angle. A handheld tool, the CAMO Marksman Pro, pictured to the right, helps achieve this. This tool also provides the board spacing at, 3/16″. There is a similar tool that accommodates a smaller, 1/16″ gap called, the CAMO Marksman Pro X1. Some contractors claim they have had success with the “X1″, but we recommend and sell only the regular, CAMO Marksman Pro (with 3/16” gap).
The CAMO screws are unique and system-specific. First thing is, they are coated steel. It is their proprietary coating, Pro-Tech Coated Steel. These screws do not need to be Stainless Steel because they are not on the surface of the board. However, they are offered in Stainless, for marine or saltwater conditions. Furthermore, these screws have a unique auger tip. This is very important because the screw is doing part of the work through the last portion of the Decking Board. I go into more detail about this in the video at the top of this page.
Finally, isn’t this system more laborious than the clips because of the pre-drilling?? No, it is our opinion that is about the same or a bit easier. The clips require that you get one row of clips started, insert the board, get the next clips started and go back and tighten the previous row. Although it may seem easier because you don’t have to pre-drill into the joists, these two methods are about equal in their labor. We find CAMO to be a bit simpler.
Please note that we generally recommend using all-weather construction adhesive between the deck board and the joist.
This clip is brown plastic coated stainless steel. Screw must be driven through clip and board at 45 degree angle because screw hole is slotted. Driving straight down will allow boards to move and the screw head may pull through. Pre-drilling the holes is recommended, which will contribute to the overall labor.
Items included will provide hardware for 100 sf of decking using 16” centers.
The Deckmaster Grabber Under Deck Installation System comes complete with brackets and the exact screws you need. Powder coated to match hardwood decking. Boxes of 10 or 50 brackets 21 ½” long. Brackets are screwed to the top of the joists and a separate set of screws are used to drive screws into the BOTTOM of the boards. Pre-drilling is not always necessary, with this system. Most of the work will be done from below the deck.
This system is IDEAL for decks that are high enough off the ground to work from below, but low enough that you don’t need to utilize a ladder or scaffolding. For this reason, this system is limited in where can be comfortably utilized, but where it can be used, this system is fabulous. It is, technically, the most discreet of the Hidden Fastening methods and the system is also VERY secure. Many contractors that have used this system before, love it. And so do we!
Trim fastening is used with Hidden Fastening methods where the Hidden Fasteners cannot be utilized. For instance, when you start a run of board(s) next to the home and you are using clips, you cannot use a clip on that leading-edge, next to the home. Clips have two wings and you can’t just leave half of the wing exposed. It’s ugly and it’s just incorrect. So instead, you have to go straight through the face of the board on that leading edge. It is also typically true for the edge farthest from the home, that faces the backyard. The same is usually also true for stair treads, stair risers, facia, and other ancillary deck elements. They will usually require some sort of Trim Fastening.
Clips, CAMO Edge Fastening, and the Undermount systems have the same limitations. They all require some method of Trim Fastening. There are two main methods to do this, plugs or Trim Screws.
We have sold this system for MANY years and we LOVE it! Pro Plug Kits are sold in all of the available BHW species; Ipe, Cumaru,
Massaranduba, Garapa, Jatoba, etc… The kits come with the wood plugs and 2.5″ screws. The Drill Tools are sold separately and are required because the sizes of the plugs are proprietary to Starborn Industries. In one motion, you are able to predrill your hole for the screw and bore out the hole for the plug. Then dab glue on the walls of the hole, as instructed on the label, and tap the plug in flush with the surface of the deck board. Some light sanding can make it COMPLETELY imperceivable, but often isn’t really needed. It’s really that easy!
Can you use these on an entire deck, instead of just the perimeter? This is not often done because it is so labor intensive and we generally recommend against it. Of course, you can, but that’s sure a lot of plugging! Rest assured, it has been done before and there are no “systematic” reasons you can’t do it. Kits are sold in plug/screw quantities of 100 pc, 350 pc, and 1050 pc.
Brazilian Wood Depot also makes plugs that can be used in lieu of the Pro Plug System. BWD plugs are precisely 3/8″ and can be glued into a hole made with a 3/8″ drill bit. The Pros for the BWD 3/8″ plugs are, they are more cost-effective, they are sold independently of expensive Stainless Steel Screws, and you can use your own (more cost-effective) 3/8″ drill bits. The drawbacks, as compared to the Pro Plug Systems are, you will need to pre-drill a pilot hole independently of the 3/8″ hole for the plug and you will need to use a bit stopper to create the correct plug-hole depth.
These screws have a “Trim head”, hence the name Trim Screws. The heads on these 2.5″ screws are even smaller than the Brown-headed ones discussed at the top of this page. You, of course, have to pre-drill the holes for these. The idea is to drive these screws into the face of the board, just below the surface. By doing so, the wood naturally wraps over the head of the screw, making it VERY discreet. For those who would like to take it an extra step further, you can purchase or create your own wood-putty to conceal these tiny holes. More cost-effective than the plugs and just as easy!
