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I have to do a deck that is about 500 sq'...They don't want to see the fasteners if it can be helped. What would you suggest as a hidden fastener. I've looked at the Cameo, Ipe clip fasteners & a few others. I don't know if I get it grooved or use a biscuit joiner. Do I have to worry about water freezing in the groove & cracking the edge of the board.....Any info would be appreciated...
I used the plastic biscuit - stainless steel things on Ipe deck . It's OK ,but that stuff shrinks so much that the the fasteners and screws are pretty prominent. If I ever do another one I will use slotted brass screws.
On yachts we set the screws in counterbored holes and plug them. A Fuller bit drills the hole and countersink, and counterbores all in one operation.
https://www.craftsmanstudio.com/v/vs...HTC-base-2.jpg
Kreg deck jig. Screws go into the edge
I had good luck with the IPE fastner, but makes sure to get the version with the steel insert in the middle. I started with the all plastic version, but I did not like that. I bought my decking material from Advantage, and it was grooved. When I was talking to another wood supplier he said it was more common to use material that was not grooved and grove where needed using a plate joiner. I live in a much colder climate than you and they have not reported any hold down failures in 5 years.
The plugs are the best strength wise, but quite a bit more time.
I've used the Eb-TY fastener on several decks with no issues. All using composite decking though. You don't say what decking material you are using. Use with slotted deck boards or use a biscuit jointer to cut the slot. The slotted deck boards are a lot less work.
I'm curious myself. If you use PT wood 5/4 - does it just shrink too much to use any sort of hidden fastener? Does pre drying for a couple months help? I've always just screwed it down right from the store but it sure does look rough after it dries.
I did ~900 sg ft cedar deck for the in laws using the Cameo fasteners. Went well during installation and they have not had any problems for the last 6-7 years.
If the pt is wet I would not try the hidden fasteners without letting it dry first. Otherwise I think it would shrink completely beyond reach.
My experience is the same as Brad's. No issues and I, too, live where winters are a real event.
John
I used the Camo system on Trex. No issues in 4 years
I used Cameo on cedar. It's "OK". I think it would work better if you are VERY careful to make sure boards are dry and flat. I think it would work better on a manufactured (or oily) wood.
If you happen to be getting Trex or something that comes with a slot cut in the edges, maybe look into using some of the clip-type solutions, but if you'd have to cut the slots, I can't see how you'd get much better result than using the Cameo system.