How to Choose the Right Composite Decking Fasteners
December 16, 2020
Using composite decking fasteners tailored to TimberTech® capped polymer and capped composite deck boards is crucial for correct installation – and deck longevity.
What Are Composite Decking Fasteners & Why Choose Them?
What: Composite decking fasteners secure your capped polymer or capped composite deck boards to their foundational joists
Why: In short, composite decking fasteners are specifically engineered to work best along with TimberTech composite decking. Using the correct fasteners ensures you don’t damage your deck boards and you won’t undermine the fasteners’ integrity. This means a greater likelihood of correct installation and an enduringly beautiful deck.
Variables That Will Influence the Fastener You Choose
Before you start deciding which composite decking fasteners pair best with your deck, you’ll need to determine certain variables.
- Preferred decking line
- Preferred collection within that line
- Board shape / type of board (scalloped, full-profile, grooved, square-shoulder)
Once you’ve got these details locked in, you can choose the right fastener for your build.
Step 1: Decide Your Preferred TimberTech Decking Line
Choose from either capped polymer decking or capped composite decking lines. Keep in mind that certain fasteners are only compatible with certain decking lines.
TimberTech AZEK® Capped Polymer Decking
With exceptional durability and the best warranties in the industry, our capped polymer decking line wins when it comes to performance – and looks fantastic, too.
TimberTech PRO® Capped Composite Decking
TimberTech PRO is our premium capped composite decking line, with a 4-sided cap that provides mold, mildew, and moisture resistance for excellent durability.
TimberTech EDGE® Capped Composite Decking
With 3-sided capping on durable composite decking boards, TimberTech EDGE stands up to the elements, including moisture damage, for a lasting deck build.
Step 2: Decide Your Preferred Collection Within That Line
TimberTech composite decking collections offer varying colors, grain patterns, and finishes to suit your home’s style. They also offer different board profiles that will influence which composite decking fasteners are compatible with that collection.
Most collections offer a choice in board profiles so you can choose your preferred one. However, the TimberTech PRO Terrain Collection™ and TimberTech EDGE Prime+ Collection offer only scalloped boards, as opposed to full-profile, which affects the compatibility of particular fasteners.
Step 3: Decide Your Preferred Board Shape
Why Board Shape Matters
TimberTech deck boards come in different shapes and certain composite decking fasteners are only compatible with specific board shapes.
The Differences in Board Shape
- Scalloped and full-profile refer to how the board appears when viewed from below.
- Grooved and square-shoulder refer to how the board appears when viewed from the sides.
Scalloped
These boards can be more cost-attainable and lighter, without compromising on a sturdy feel.
Full-Profile
A full-profile board is one with a flat bottom. This gives the board a solid feel underfoot.
Grooved
Grooved boards have grooves along their sides that allow for certain hidden fasteners to clip in.
Square-Shoulder
Square-shoulder boards have flat sides, making them compatible with certain top-down, hidden, and/or color-matched fasteners.
Type of Fastener Preferred
Choose between screws with material-matched plugs, hidden clips, or top-down screws.
Use on Stairs or Perimeter
Only Cortex® and TOPLoc® fasteners work for the entire deck surface.
Overall Deck Design
Certain fasteners are better suited for tighter butt joints and miters. This is important for more complex elements, like a picture frame border.
Step 4: Find the Right Composite Decking Fasteners for Your Deck
Based on your previous determinations, you can now choose the composite decking fasteners that will work best for your build.
Select Color-Matched or Hidden
Color-Matched
These are fasteners whose screw heads are matched to the deck board’s surface, blending in to create a sophisticated look.
Hidden
Hidden fasteners are not visible along the deck surface, meaning you get a fastener-free surface reminiscent of hardwood flooring.
Color-Matched Fasteners
Color-matched fasteners pair well with all TimberTech decking, providing a secure hold without taking away from your deck’s beautiful design.
TOPLoc® Color-Matched Fasteners for AZEK
Compatible with both square-shoulder and grooved AZEK deck boards.
- Top-down installation.
- Screw heads painted to complement decking colors.
- Specially designed fasteners for polymer material.
- No pre-drilling required.
TOPLoc for AZEK Fascia
Compatible with all fascia boards from the AZEK decking line.
- Painted screw heads complement decking colors.
- No pre-drilling required.
- Designed to decrease oil-canning (board warp at fastening points).
TOPLoc Color-Matched Fasteners for PRO & EDGE
Compatible with both square-shoulder and grooved PRO and EDGE deck boards.
- Top-down installation.
- Screw heads painted to match decking colors.
- Specially designed fasteners for dense composite material.
TOPLoc for PRO & EDGE Fascia
Compatible with all fascia boards from PRO and EDGE.
- Top-down installation.
- Painted screw heads complement decking colors.
- Designed to decrease oil-canning (where the board warps around fastening points).
Hidden Fasteners
There are hidden fasteners for every type of deck board and decking line, so no matter which board you choose, you can create a seamless, fastener-free surface with the right fastener.
CONCEALoc® Hidden Fasteners
Compatible with grooved boards across all TimberTech decking lines.
- Hand-driven.
- Offers collated screws for faster application.
- Fastener-free surface for a clean, polished look.
FUSIONLoc® Hidden Fastener
Compatible with grooved boards across all TimberTech decking lines.
- Pneumatic installation for faster application.
- Each clip provides 3 points of board-to-joist connection for increased strength.
- Stronger hold for tighter butt joints and miters (great for more complex deck board patterns).
EDGELoc™ Hidden Fastener
Compatible only with grooved boards from the TimberTech EDGE decking line.
- Designed exclusively for TimberTech EDGE grooved boards.
- Hand-driven installation.
- Provides secure fastening between deck boards for a clean, fastener-free surface.
SIDELoc™ Hidden Fastener
Compatible with all full-profile boards from TimberTech AZEK.
- Connects to joists at an angle that renders them largely hidden from view.
- Use with narrow, standard, and wide width decking.
- No pre-drilling required.
Cortex Hidden Fastener
Compatible with only full-profile boards from the three TimberTech decking lines.
- Top-down installation.
- Strongest hidden fastener connection.
- Can be used on the entire deck surface including stairs and the perimeter.
- Plugs to hide the fastener are made from TimberTech decking for a perfect match.
- No pre-drilling required for Cortex for AZEK.
With so many composite decking fastener options, you have a lot to consider. Working with a TimberTech-registered contractor can get you your ideal build while also ensuring your deck is built with application best practices, no matter which product line you choose.
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