Water: Calming and refreshing when you’re relaxing at the lake or seaside, potentially catastrophic when it’s trapped inside the walls of your home.
When water gets into your wall system, conditions are ripe for the development of mold, mildew, and rot. Powered by fungus that thrives in dampness and humidity, this nasty trio causes everything from musty odors to respiratory issues and allergies. Some molds even produce harmful or deadly toxins while the damage from fungal decay can compromise a home’s structural integrity.
Unfortunately, water can find its way into your walls through a multitude of vulnerable areas that are necessary to your home’s design and construction. Common entry areas include window, door and vent openings, sill plates, corners, and joints. For additional penetration points, check out 10 Household Areas You Should Seal.
Fortunately, we have a defense against home water infiltration: Flashing, a thin waterproof membrane that creates a barrier and allows water to run off rather than seep in. Peel-and-stick waterproofing is the champ in this category.
BONUS: In addition to preventing water from getting into your home, flashing for waterproofing blocks air and dust for added comfort, energy efficiency, and a cleaner home environment.
Deck Screws
Face-fastened deck screws have long been a trusted choice for securing composite and natural wood decking, offering both reliability and familiarity. Deck screws come in various colors, allowing you to coordinate them with your deck boards and minimize their visual impact.
Starborn Cap-Tor Xd Stainless Screws with Smart-Bit Depth Setter
TIP: Instantly color match your deck screws to your decking boards with our DeckMatch™ color matching tool.
While face-driven deck screws will still be detectable on your deck surface, they do provide a range of benefits that make them a popular choice among homeowners and DIYers:
- Cost-effective
- Simple installation process
- Easy repair and replacement of damaged boards
- Durability and strength
Edge Screws
Deck screws don’t have to be face-fastened! Edge-fastening offers an alternative that leaves the board surface free from fasteners. When securing square deck boards like pressure-treated wood, cedar, redwood, PVC, and squared composites, you can fasten through their edges instead with screws such as CAMO Edge Deck Screws.
CAMO Edge Screws installed with the CAMO Marksman Pro
Be sure to check out The Best Way to Fasten Any Square Deck Board for an introduction to edge fastening, as well as hand-drive and stand-up tools to make the installation process quick and easy. Advantages of edge screws include:
- No visible fasteners
- Prevention of surface splits and cracks that can occur with face fastening
- Reduction in lateral movement due to expansion and contraction
Deck screws provide a dependable and budget-friendly solution for securing your deck boards, but if you want more options for a deck surface with no visible fasteners, keep reading!
Plug Systems
Deck plug systems take standard face-fastening a step further to achieve a fastener-free appearance. Face screws are installed with a countersink, allowing you to insert small plugs that fill the holes flush with the deck surface. These plugs are made from actual boards to blend seamlessly with the rest of your deck.
TIP: Use our DeckMatch™ tool to quickly find matching deck plugs based on your board manufacturer and color.
FastenMaster Cortex for Azek Decking
With a color-matched deck plug system, you can enjoy:
- A clean surface finish with no visible fasteners
- No fastener crevices accumulating dirt and debris
- Exact and compatible plug matches for many decking brands and board colors
Hidden Fasteners / Clip Systems
A hidden fastener or clip system is designed to work with grooved composite, PVC, or natural wood decking. Clips are inserted into the grooved edges between the decking boards and screws are driven straight down through the clips or at a 45-degree angle to securely attach the boards to the joists, hiding the fasteners for an uninterrupted deck surface.
Hidden fastener systems may require the use of special starter clips for the perimeter boards and those placed against a house or other structure.
The benefits of hidden fasteners include:
- A clear decking surface with fasteners tucked out of sight
- Minimization of water penetration due to no perforation of the deck surface
- Consistent board spacing across the deck
- Uniform gaps provide proper air and water flow
- Clips allow for board expansion
- Pre-assembled clips for quick and easy installation
Trex Hideaway Universal Hidden Fastener and DeckWise Ipe Clip
Stairs and Edge Boards
When it comes to stairs and edges, deck screws are recommended over hidden fasteners for additional strength, stability, and a secure attachment that ensures safety and durability in these critical areas of your deck.
Stairs
Stairs require extra support and structural integrity, as they experience higher foot traffic and potential stress. Deck screws offer a strong hold and prevent the risk of boards coming loose or becoming unstable over time.
Stair treads with face screws, shown with Color Guard Lincoln Adjustable Stair Rail Kit
Edge Boards
Edge boards or picture framing are the outermost boards that border your deck. These boards require a secure attachment to maintain the overall stability and deck appearance. Deck screws provide the necessary strength and prevent the risk of edge boards warping or loosening.
Picture frame edge, shown with TimberTech RadianceRail
Manufacturer-Specific Considerations
Some manufacturers do approve their hidden fasteners for use in additional deck areas, so always check their documentation for any additional options they support.
For example, if you’re using TimberTech Pro or Edge decking boards, TimberTech CONCEALoc Hidden Fasteners can be used for both picture-framing applications and starter boards when combined with their TOPLoc Face Fastener Screws to achieve a lasting hold.
Likewise, Trex Hideaway Universal Starter Clips, used with their Hideaway Hidden Fasteners, are designed to secure perimeter deck boards for a completely fastener-free surface and are compatible with all Trex decking. It's also worth noting that Trex Hideaway Hidden Fasteners may be used between boards that together form the stair tread, with the edge board secured into the stringer board with face screws or through the bottom with the addition of blocks.
Pros and Cons: Hidden Fasteners vs Deck Screws
Your choice of decking fasteners impacts everything from installation time to looks and long-term maintenance. When you compare composite decking hidden fasteners vs deck screws, each has its strengths and drawbacks:
Hidden fasteners offer advantages like:
- Seamless Appearance- No visible screws, creating a clean, uninterrupted deck surface.
- Smooth and Safe- Eliminates exposed screw heads, reducing the risk of snags and splinters.
- Even Board Spacing- Helps maintain consistent gaps for proper drainage and expansion.
Their disadvantages include:
- Higher Cost - Requires a specialized clip system, adding to overall expenses.
- Longer Installation Time- Precise clip placement and alignment take extra effort.
- Limited Accessibility- Helps maintain consistent gaps for proper drainage and expansion.
Deck screws offer benefits such as:
- Affordable Option- The most cost-effective choice for securing deck boards.
- Fast Installation- Simple and quick to drive screws directly into the boards.
- Easy Maintenance- Boards can be removed and replaced without hassle.
But there are also downsides to deck screws:
- Visible Fasteners- Even with color-matched screws, they remain noticeable.
- Potential for Snagging- Exposed screw heads can create rough spots over time.
- Possible Board Splitting- If not properly installed, screws may cause cracks in boards.
Both fastening methods offer distinct advantages depending on your priorities. If looks and a smooth surface matter most, hidden fasteners are the way to go. If cost and ease of maintenance are bigger concerns, deck screws keep things simple and accessible.
Material Compatibility: Hidden Fasteners vs Deck Screws
When you compare hidden fasteners vs deck screws, not all fasteners work with every type of decking. Choosing the right fastening system depends on the material of your deck boards—wood, composite, or PVC. Here's how hidden fasteners and deck screws stack up for different materials.
Wood Decking
When opting for wood decking, you should take these factors into consideration:
- Deck Screws- A solid choice for traditional wood decks. Screws provide a strong hold and can be removed easily for repairs. However, improper installation can cause wood splitting, so pre-drilling may be necessary.
- Hidden Fasteners- Work best with grooved wood decking but may not be ideal for standard wood planks without modifications. Some wood species, like dense hardwoods, may require specialized clips or additional reinforcement.
Composite Decking
If you build with composite decking, consider these facts:
- Deck Screws- Composite-specific screws prevent mushrooming (raised edges around the screw head). Visible screws can still detract from the clean look of composite decking.
- Hidden Fasteners- Designed for composite boards with pre-cut grooves, offering a smooth, fastener-free surface. Many composite manufacturers recommend clip systems to maintain warranties and prevent damage.
PVC Decking
If PVC decking is your material of choice, you should be aware of these issues:
- Deck Screws- Must be corrosion-resistant to handle PVC's expansion and contraction. Standard screws can cause surface dimpling or warping over time.
- Hidden Fasteners- The preferred method for most PVC decking brands. These clips allow for natural movement without damaging the material, reducing the risk of warping.
Up Close and Personal With DeckMatch
See how easy DeckMatch is to use to find the ideally colored fasteners for your deck
Order Deck Fasteners From DIY Home Center
Now that you know all about deck fasteners, be sure to check out our handy DeckMatch™ tool for a personalized selection of perfectly paired face screws, plug systems, and hidden fasteners—all matched to your decking boards. Build a deck that’s as strong as it is stunning with the right fasteners from DIY Home Center. Shop now and get the perfect fasteners delivered straight to your door!
Enjoy the process and your amazing new deck—Happy building!
Check your local building codes before starting your deck project and follow all rules, regulations, and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a trusted voice in the $4.1 billion North American deck market, DIY Home Center fields numerous questions about deck fasteners. Here are some common inquiries we receive.
Are hidden fasteners stronger than deck screws?
Hidden fasteners provide a secure hold when used with grooved decking, but deck screws offer a more direct grip. If maximum strength is the goal—especially for traditional wood decking—deck screws typically provide better long-term holding power.
Can I use hidden fasteners on a wood deck?
Yes, but only if the wood boards are grooved or modified to accommodate the clips. Standard wood planks require deck screws or a plug system for proper fastening.
Do hidden fasteners work with all composite decking?
Most composite decking brands design their boards with grooves for hidden fasteners. However, some solid-edge composite boards require traditional screws or additional modifications to use clips.
