Face screwing a hardwood deck is not all it's cracked up to be.

One of the misconceptions about using deck fasteners that they are not as strong as conventional face nailing or screwing of deck boards. When one stops to think about this statement, it can easily be seen as false.

One of the thoughts behind this misconception is that when face securing deck boards, you have more strength because the screw or nail is going straight into the board and into the joist. What most people do not realize is that studies have proven that a screw ran at an angle has more holding strength when compared to one ran straight down. So when using a hidden fastener like the Ipe Clip^® Extreme™ where the screws are run at a 45˚ angle through the deck board and into the joist, you will have more holding strength from that screw.

Also think about this, when running screws and you want more holding strength or area, you can simply add a washer to achieve this. When installing an edge mount hidden fastening system like Ipe Clip^® the same principles can be applied, the more area you are holding down, the stronger it will be. An edge mount hidden fastener like Ipe Clip^® has much more hold down area than the head of a screw or nail so again the hidden fastener should win in a head-to-head competition.

Now that we know that the initial installation using hidden deck fasteners is more than strong enough to hold your deck boards, let’s think about what happens a few years down the line…you guessed it, when face securing your boards you get those cracks, or checks, everywhere a screw or nail penetrated the surface. This happened because water seeps into the holes made by the screw or nail when face securing. Now that there are cracks, even more water can soak into the boards causing mold, mildew, and even rot. Obviously everyone realizes that having rotten boards will weaken your deck dramatically.

An easy solution to prevent this problem? Use an edge mount hidden deck fastening system. Since there are no screws in the surface of the decking, the water cannot penetrate them and won’t cause you those problems in the future.

There you have it, with just a little thought and reasoning, you can come to the conclusion that the ideal way to fasten your next decking project is by using an edge mount hidden deck fastener such as Ipe Clip^® brand fasteners. They will give you the strength and durability you want so you can enjoy your beautiful deck year after year.

We believe that by investing our money into American workers who take pride in their craftsmanship, we will continue to create better products and therefore become a greater company.

The excuse that profits are greater than people leads to inferior products. There’s a reason why cheap tools and parts that are made in China break down, the lack of quality.

At the the Ipe Clip® Fastener Co. designing and creating high-quality and long-lasting products that are, above all else, useful, is what sets us apart.

This fact is also what has made us the fastest growing and increasingly recognized deck fastener company in the United States, and now the world.

If you’d like to learn more, or would like to offer our United States-made products to your customers, sign our dealer info form or contact the Ipe Clip Fastener Co. directly today.

We’re also pleased to announce that we are adding new distributors each and every day! We’re ecstatic over adding distributors in Canada & Chile.

That’s right! you can now buy our top-of-the-line deck fasteners and other deck accessory products as far south as Chile!

If you’d like to get on board and start selling the best deck tools on the market today, you can inquire on becoming a dealer/distributor today.

From fastening to finishing, we’ve got deck building covered like no other company in the market.

For contractors & deck builders in particular, this deck board straightening tool will last longer than any other tool on the market.

How can you be sure that the Hardwood Wrench™  is worth the investment?

1- Made by and for deck builders. The Hardwood Wrench™ is the only deck tool on the market designed for deck builders in mind. This is not a “one off” tool that you have to throw away after it bends out of shape, or becomes unusable. In fact, it’s been specifically designed to be used again and again and again. You never have to settle for a weak tool again.

2- Max bending power. The claim that the Hardwood Wrench™ is the strongest deck tool for hardwood decking has been scientifically proven. With a maximum bending force of 1078 lbs, our decking tool offers strength that is up to 80% more than other tools tested.

3- Easily adjustable. Not only can you adjust to various joist sizes, but the handle is also reversible.

4- Bend the strongest hardwoods with one fluid motion. No more pulling and wrenching your back. This deck tool was designed to take all the force so that you don’t have to exert much energy.

5- Do you work with wood, composite decking, or PVC? Regardless of the material, you can depend on the Hardwood Wrench™.

To learn more about the most talked about deck tool in the market today, check out the Hardwood Wrench website or call: 1-866-427-2547.

When you use a hidden deck fastener that combines the strength of stainless steel with the enduring qualities of plastic, you will extend the life of your deck. This combination of materials also ensures that you save a ton of money thanks to the greatly reduced maintenance issues. What does this mean for you?

More time spent enjoying your deck instead of slaving over it.

When you do your research and compare deck fasteners, you’ll quickly realize that because the Extreme™ and ExtremeKD™ require diagonal installation, you’ll also end up building a deck that is proportionality stronger too.

Want to learn more? Contact us today to discover why the Ipe Clip® brand of deck fasteners is perfect for your deck building needs.

At the Ipe Clip® Fastener Co., we have a great solution for homeowners, deck builders, and anyone else who is looking for a cost-effective solution to building their deck.

We sell complete kits for each of our unique and virtually indestructible deck fasteners.

Our Deck Fastening Systems comes complete with:

• 175 – IPE CLIP® Hidden Deck Fasteners
• 190 – Stainless Steel Screws
• 12 – 3/8″ Tapered Ipe plugs
• 1 - 1/8″ High Speed Drill Bit
• 1 – Screw Gun Driver Bit
• 1 – Instruction Sheet

Each kit will cover approximately 100 square feet of deck surface (coverage based on 5-1/2” wide board with 16” joist spacing). The best part? We offer you the chance to customize your kit. We can accommodate you if you need different size screws, a different grade screw, or even a screw with a colored head to match the fastener!

Call us today to learn more and to get started on building a stress free and immaculate deck!

]]> http://ipeclip.com/hidden_deck_fasteners/merry-christmas-happy-holidays/feed/ 2 http://ipeclip.com/hidden_deck_fasteners/the-hardwood-wrench-deck-tool/ http://ipeclip.com/hidden_deck_fasteners/the-hardwood-wrench-deck-tool/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:00:11 +0000 Dan Schiefer http://ipeclip.com/hidden_deck_fasteners/?p=233

The Ultimate Deck Tool

For maximum bending force, ease of use, and overall functionality, The Hardwood Wrench™ really is the ultimate deck tool.

Created from hard anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, you will be able to build your deck with confidence knowing that it will always be the board that bends and never the tool. From tongue and groove ipe to composite decking, the Hardwood Wrench™ can effortlessly handle any and all decking species.

When you want to build a deck without increased labor and resources this deck board straightening tool will always:

• Straighten bowed boards with minimal effort
• Bend multiple boards at the same time easily
• minimize strenuous activity
• Require only one person to operate
• Adjusts to a variety of joist sizes effortlessly
• Speed up the installation process

Why did we decide to dedicate resources into creating the Hardwood Wrench™? From fastening to finishing, we are dedicated to making the deck building process easier and faster. By releasing products that produce safer decks, we are ensuring that decks all across the nation and the world are safer, stronger, and improve quality of life.

Learn more about this revolutionary deck tool.

Learn how to install deck fasteners using regular deck boards.

As in previous posts, I will be explaining some simple ways to make installing a deck with hidden deck fasteners easier.

One of the common misconceptions that people have is that hidden deck fasteners are best used with pre-grooved decking. While pre-grooved decking was made for deck fastening systems, you can have an immaculate looking deck surface with standard Eased 4 Edges / Standard 4 Sides (E4E/S4S) deck boards.

How?

By cutting a slot in the edge of the decking using a standard router or biscuit joiner. Of course, you’ll have to use a 5/32” slot cutting bit with your router to make sure that the slot is just the right size (a standard biscuit joiner cuts a 5/32” slot already). This process may take some time depending on the size and scope of your deck. However, you can save a boat load of time if you follow these simple guidelines:

• Mark each deck board with a pencil prior to installation.
  • Just make sure your marks are aligned properly with your joist spacing. Knowing the precise location where each slot will be cut ahead of time will save both time and energy.
• Make sure your tools are charged and sharpened.
  • Also have multiple bits handy for denser woods like ipe.
• If possible, rent a couple of routers or biscuit jointers and get someone competent with tools to help you. (I’m sure you can bribe your neighbor who you lend your tools to help out for an hour or two!)
• Use deck fasteners, and screws that are best suited for hardwood or composite decking.

At the Ipe Clip® Fastener Company, we manufacture deck fasteners that will work perfectly with practically every kind of decking available (except for pressure-treated or other unstable materials).

If you follow this advice, you’ll have a smooth deck surface that will also be much safer and require less maintenance in no time. Happy deck building!