Hidden deck fasteners

[Jay Jolliffe]

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...

[Mel Fulks]

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.

[andy bessette]

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/vspfiles/photos/FC102HTC-base-2.jpg

[George Bokros]

Kreg deck jig. Screws go into the edge

[Brad Shipton]

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.

[Paul F Franklin]

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.

[Rick Alexander]

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.

[Todd Mason-Darnell]

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.

[Mel Fulks]

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.

[John TenEyck]

My experience is the same as Brad's. No issues and I, too, live where winters are a real event.

John

[Cary Falk]

I used the Camo system on Trex. No issues in 4 years

[Dan Friedrichs]

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.