Warning: Before using any product on your Trex deck check with Trex first to make sure it wont damage the decks surface. Thats the reason we have lemon laws for cars and laws protecting consumers. Heres a gallery of beautiful decks to remind you exactly why you wanted that Trex deck in the first place. Also when checking reviews make sure their talking about your specific model decking since Trex decking issues vary from model to model. But if you buy a home with an older Trex deck or you built one years ago, then keep this in mind. See how you can bring speed, excellent performance, and time and cost savings to every deck build with our game-changing systems. Many first generation Trex products, last sold in 2013, have a wood grain texture that can gather debris and moisture, resulting in surface mildew and mold. Traditional composite and real wood decking fasteners have been deck screws for many years. The size and shape of the decking boards can have a major impact on which hidden deck fastener system is best. hidden fasteners Composite decking often goes down the same way as wood, that is, with stainless steel decking screws. Here's how it works. Fast&efficient Installation Decking. Additionally, certain composite decking boards might need holes pre-drilled before screws can be added, which might increase the projects time and cost. CAMO deck clips make installing grooved decking on wood or metal framing easy for everyone. If you cant control the moisture below your deck, natural wood deck boards are very likely to cup and behave poorly. Quickview. They have a central hole that is used to screw them to the joists. The product fades, warps, holds water, molds terrible, and now its literally falling apart! Nail Guns are a big no-no for deck building, you can't get good hot dipped galvanized nails for a nail gun. 0000010287 00000 n Some installers and homeowners favor clip systems because they often hide the joist to build color continuity throughout the main deck surface. In pursuit of the perfect deck, all Trex decking lines come with a hidden installation option. Snow removal is made easier with the absence of emerging fasteners on the surface. Trex Hideaway Hidden Fastener Easily maintain consistent gaps in between your floorboards with the use of self-gapping Trex hidden fasteners. 5 years ago the rest started falling apart. It features a stainless steel deck screw already set in the fastener and easier installation. In actuality, screws hold together better and need roughly the same amount of time for installation. He has authored technical articles for various online and print publications, and consulted for several major tech companies. Sometimes individuals neglect to ask themselves this straightforward question. 0000004617 00000 n B/mzhN[UqZQ_y7C.ZZI,i|7A 1u*gSG{'SI9&g-;x>R\#$ZN {#e_jWZ5[@\AxB w And when they do a common complaint has to due with customer service and warranty issues. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info. <]/Prev 211191>> In fact thats true of just about anything you buy. And this creates a secondary issue where some of the deck is in sunlight and some isnt. The main deck boards have a nominal width of 6 wider. If you've got time to burn, the cheapest way of accomplishing this in wood decking is to make the plugs yourself with a plug cutter and a drill press. changes, and extreme cold are no problem for the Trex Hideaway hidden fastener. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(112655, '40fcb9f6-d0f5-4338-aa95-259e693755bb', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Would you like to see some actual hardwood decking? Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. They install fairly quickly and are easy to access during the installation. Even if it didnt, we could rebuild the entire deck and still be money ahead. A simple garden hose with a lower pressure fitting, coupled with detergent and a mop for tough spots, is your best bet for cleaning Trex deck. Use Trex hidden deck fasteners the spacing will stay as it should for the life of the deck and the deck boards will all be securely fastened. One of the problems with Trex decking is that it can be prone to . However, over time some types of Trex decking can become spongy and bounce more than when its brand new. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. 0 Just a few months after installation, mold started to appear. 0000030913 00000 n When homeowners ask us how long will Trex decking last, we start with the minimum 25 to 30 year span covered by the warranty. **** Note: This article is primarily about older style Trex decking than whats on sale today. They are very strong and highly resistant to corrosion, thus ensuring outstanding durability. Your email address will not be published. The CONCEALoc and any grooved TimberTech do give a 1/8" gap. In the worst case when the screws just can't get any bite I run a composite deck screw diagonal through the groove into the joist and that holds it down well. If we can't fix it, we will send you a reimbursement for your product purchase price. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Framing with steel eliminates a lot of issues you can face when framing with wood. 4. I[H 4j>++(u-ThOc/Khe 4$;7Vbh: 0"Z'"00sQ`jfCp?(M#%h:GA43t_un$fb~VdRgl`^ZT+ 3)*VH.YU3MW)gju-K4X4QIC UVl!G-%D=pQT)u0~P[XKeZwxIJ5lqD zR9>?MyY[ZDV4PDx(*?kx4\z: There are some instances where you have no choice but to consider Trex decking with hidden fasteners. 7 people found this helpful Helpful Report abuse C. Hotchkiss What a marvelous solution I was lured by the durability and lack of maintenance as advertised. There are several different approaches to hiding fasteners on a deck, and none is particularly complicated. For other projects, fastening your deck boards with screws, may be a more secure and better option. The TREX hidden fastener is designed to securely join TREX decking boards while providing a smooth and aesthetically pleasing look. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A tough hardwood plug is then glued on top. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Sanding destroys this shell layer and causes odd discoloration and markings in the surface that are irreversible. Trex is definitely a long lasting product if you care for it properly and are lucky enough to avoid all of these potential decking issues. R 0000004890 00000 n New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Its important to know what width the guide can accept, especially if using nonstandard-size boards or reclaimed materials. Available Tiger Claw Hidden Deck Fasteners. Granted the gap should be 1/4" and i'm more in the 5/16 - 3/8 on some of these gaps but i'm concerned that these small differences will add up over the 24 feet i have to go and end up causing me issues as i progress. Likewise, hidden fasteners provide deck boards with a stronger grip while remaining completely unseen. Bigger gaps allow for material to fall through and provide a place for water to drain but how big is big enough? These fasteners drive sharp prongs into the sides of deck boards and then attach with nails or screws to the deck joists. By Bob Beacham Updated Jul 23, 2021 2:25 PM. Make sure to keep grease away from a Trex deck. We recommend using Trex Elevations light gauge steel framing for most of our projects. Cookie Notice 1 package of CAMO . If you can afford it, go with premium Trex decking. All rights reserved. endstream endobj 17 0 obj <> endobj 18 0 obj <> endobj 19 0 obj <> endobj 20 0 obj <>stream That stuff has been proven to be junk. In fact, fix as many moisture related problems before constructing any outdoor deck. An old fashioned way of installing deck boards is to find a nail thats .25 and use them as spacers. Make sure your deck design meets the requirements before investing in a beautiful deck. Clips come in various designs. Preset stainless steel screw for ease of installation. Unlike wood, Trex is made up of layers, including a harder outer coat or shell that provides resistance to the elements. Hidden deck fasteners solve several common complaints in deck construction; they force even board spacing, keep unsightly nail or screw holes off the face of deck boards and remove the need for driving fasteners in a perfectly straight line. To suit the requirements of your particular project, there are stores online that provide a variety of hidden fastener pack alternatives. In effect, one fastener is needed for each edge of the board, fixed into each joist. Even though acknowledging that there would not be enough boards to replace the defective ones. Dirt clings to composite decking more so than wood and it stands out a lot more too. Blacking like this was a problem with 1st generation Trex decking that has been corrected with newer models. Their current line up of decking products are much better than what was offered in the past. Our innovative hidden deck clips, collated screws, and stand-up deck fastening tools work together to make your jobs smarter, faster, easier, and better. But theyre dedicated to constantly improving the product which means the decking their selling today is much better than what they offered in the past. Privacy Policy. Heli Part, Trex700 M5x32mm Main Blade Screws Set Product (HN7081T): Package: Specification: Socket Button Head Collar Screw x 4(M5x32mm) M5 Nut x 2 . Any advice? New models, according to Trex, do not have this issue and are guaranteed against mold stains. Any suggestions on how to possibly prevent it from happening again? u.YfDB7o/d`V& >: Every material in the construction trade can have a bad manufacturing run. VERY unhappy with this product! Preset stainless steel screw for ease of installation. This is especially helpful with the grooved Trex boards with hidden fasteners. They are made of glass-filled nylon, which combines high strength with flexibility so they are far less likely to crack than inexpensive plastic models. How many CAMO screws do I need for my deck project? For more information, please see our Is there a good way to fix this? How much however is uncertain. They also have a very sharp tip, thus allowing for easy penetration on hard surfaces like timber. Again, it seems completely random when this happens, but it happens often enough that you should know about it. Your first problem that you will have is that you are installing Trex. Q?|0H!e We installed Trex back in 2006-2008 not sure of exact date. This makes for a strong attachment to both the deck board and the joist, and it keeps the fastener out of sight. 0 = 4wQ@[$ Trex Hideaway provides a clean, fastener-free appearance across the entire surface of the deck. Trex expands quite a bit due to sunlight and temperatures, maybe when you inspected it was warm and expanded. Sign up to get our best home improvement guides and resources only shared with email subscribers. Many homeowners find this unattractive because installation calls for two face screws per joist intersection with each board. The installation surface that are irreversible should know about it absence of emerging fasteners on a deck all! 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