One question that we often get asked is:
“Can Ipe Clips® be used for other types of decking?”

You can install any of our deck fasteners on any number of hardwood and composite decking materials.

YES! The Ipe Clip® Fastener Company manufactures a hidden fastening system practically every single kind of decking available (except for one…more on that later!).

From hardwood decking like ipe, redwood, cedar, and massaranduba to composite and PVC decking, Ipe Clip® brand hidden deck fasteners are the perfect solution for making your deck surface both safer and blemish free.

HOWEVER, if you are building a deck with pressure treated lumber, or other materials that have high expansion/contraction rates, we do not recommend the use of any type of hidden fastener. It’s not that the fastener will give way or break, it’s that these materials are too unstable and unpredictable for installation using a hidden fastening system, which means that the wood is more likely to give way before the fastener will!

At the Ipe Clip® Fastener Company, all of our products are designed to prolong the life of your deck. Our engineers have studied the behavior of all sorts of decking to ensure that every deck fastening system we sell will be able to keep your surface safe, strong, and beautiful for as long as you own it.

Contact us today to learn more about our complete line of deck fasteners.

Wood rot is a common problem with hardwood decks that have been installed with screws that have been vertically installed right into the decking. If you’ve been reading this blog, you will have noticed a trend; The face-screwing method leads to many common and persistent deck problems.

One major problem that occurs frequently is wood rot. People falsely assume that just because a nail or screw fit into a hole, that nothing could also enter that hole. Unfortunately, water is an element that damages wood and is a major reason why mold and mildew are also common problems for wood and composite decks.

When it rains on your deck, water tends to accumulate around and seep into screw and nail holes. As the water literally sits in the hole, microorganisms work their magic and rot starts to occur. As you can see from the above picture, wood rot can be quite unattractive. Rotting deck boards also become a hazard because they weaken the overall strength of the decking.

How can you prevent wood rot?

Be sure to add Deck Fasteners to the list of “Must-have Decking Supplies.” The Ipe Clip Company has a variety of hidden deck fasteners specially designed to ensure your deck remains sturdy, durable and healthy enough to last for decades.

If you already have a deck, the simplest thing you can do is perform the recommended amount of maintenance prescribed by your decking supplier. Also, using a hardwood finish and deck oil like Ipe Oil™ will help protect each deck board from wood rot.

One of the most common complaints that people have after their wood deck has been built is of deck boards cracking and splitting. This can often happen when using inferior decking materials. It can also happen to hardwood decks that were not installed properly. Basically, any wood has the potential to split, splinter, or crack when the face screwing method has been used. More often though, it tends to happen when a deck is installed with nails.

Over time, many decks made of inferior woods or other materials will crack and/or split.

Funny thing is, even if your deck installation goes smoothly, just the natural expansion and contraction of the hardwood can lead to this frustrating outcome. Don’t forget, the elements can also affect decking because softer, and weaker woods and composite materials tend to soak up water. When the water dries up, the wood tends to naturally split around the screw or nail.

How to prevent decking from cracking and splitting?

Well, if you already have a deck, routine maintenance with a hardwood deck oil like Ipe Oil™ should help protect the deck boards from warping or cracking.

If you’re just getting ready to build a deck, then the best thing to do is use hidden deck fasteners. If you are also using pre-grooved decking, then this combination will definitely aid in ensuring that each deck board is stable. Building a rigid and solid deck surface will make your initial investment a greater rate of return.

Don’t forget! Pre-drilling of hardwood decking is HIGHLY recommended . Also, installing deck fasteners at a 45 degree angle will further increase the holding power of the board to the joist.