More and more you hear request from customers, especially offcourse in the high end market about the hidden-screw system, although it is more pricier, the result is more beautifying also.
So in general is it worth the extra cost?
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We find that hidden fasteners are better to work with than other options. It allows the installers to properly space the composite or PVC boards apart from one another for drainage. It saves time by eliminating having to put in color matched plugs to hide the screws. As you mentioned, it looks great. You can save cost by getting off-brand fasteners and buying in bulk.
I find that they are only worth the extra cost on certain decks. What i mean by that is if you are doing a hardwood like epay it is worth spending the extra money and time. But if you are doing a redwood deck or a basic composite I would have to say don’t waste your money. Double face screwing a deck is by far the quickest and strongest way to build a deck.
For the best looking job, then yes its worth it! It all depends on how picky you want to be. I know when I build composite decks, I always recomend them.
I sort of covered this topic in another forum but ill answer again here. Any new deck built today I always recommend hiding the screws for a flush finish of the deck boards whether its pressure treated or trex and anything in between. It really is lasting innovative look and is well worth the extra time!
Hidden screw systems improve the speed and quality of installation, and a deck without visible screws looks great. They also improve the durability of a deck by eliminating holes in the top surface.
Hidden deck fastener systems really make a deck stand out. You don’t have to see all of those unsightly screws heads. Also, it makes sure that you have the proper spacing in your deck boards. It is worth the extra money to have it.
I’m a big fan of the Camo hidden fastner system. And no, I have no connection to them. It uses a special tool that resembles a staple gun to space and hold the screws so they go in through the edge of the board at an angle. It’s nearly as fast and cheap as face screws but much better looking. I’ve made it a standard on all my decks for 2 years now. You still have to pre-drill with woods like ipe.
Yes , if you can afford it :)))
I have found that the better hidden systems are much nicer looking and not as prone to squeeking as the materials shrink and move with time. Also like the idea of not allowing an extra hole in the surface for water to work into and cause weathering issues. Overall a very clean finished look without a lot of extra work.
it is almost always worth the extra cost today for the hidden fasteners. Not only will you have a better looking deck, but when you go to sell the home the potental customers will love it too
Hidden fasteners make a deck look very clean when used on composite decking. No rusty screws that aren’t supposed to rust. No mushroomed screw holes. No damage to deck board, so you could re-use the deck board somewhere else,
There is really no debate here, just look at finished project. its all in the finshed product. Hidden fasteners wether they be Camo, trex or simpson ebtys, are all worth the money. They are very secure when done properly, they look 1000 times better and they help keep deck spacing uniform throughout. I have not faced srewed a deck in 3 years., we do at least 3 -4 composite or ipe decks a month and never do we face screw without cortex and plugs.
Just to expand the discussion, not only do we use hidden fasteners exclusively, we also picture frame every deck. so on the square edge non grovved boards, we face screw with cortex screws and plug holes with color/grain matched plugs.
On a typical $7000 composite deck the hident fasteners and plugs add about $550 or so to the job. Just look at the pictures of the decks with hidden fasteners and then look at the face screwed. no comparison, not only on initial install but down the road a bit after boards expand and contract a few season in, quess what… To be sure, I have seen hiddne fasteners installed incorrectly and thats not pretty either, follow the directions , and do what mfg says to do and it will be beautiful.
We usually use a hidden fastener system. Aesthicially much more appealing than fastening from the top of the deck board and eliminates fasteners from slowly backing out of a board. We use either Camo and/or Hid-fast hidden fastener systems.
hidden fasteners by a mile, nicer finish.
looks so much better when complete.