The Ipe Clip® Fastener Company has dedicated a lot of time in the training of all sales team members, dealers, and distributors. We do this to ensure that the right questions are asked so that the right product is chosen for each and every project.

Air-dried decking – Ipe Clip® Extreme™ fasteners which spaces boards at 3/32” should be used. Air-dried decking has a high moisture content which causes the wood to shrink as it acclimates. In other words, the gap between your boards will get larger so you want to use a deck fastener that starts with a small gap space. Ipe Clip®Extreme4™ can also be used. This leaves a 5/32” gap space. It’s a little larger but still does the job for those that want or need a slightly larger gap space.

Kiln-dried decking – Ipe Clip® ExtremeKD™ fasteners which offer a ¼” gap space should be used. Kiln-dried decking has a lower moisture content which results in the boards expanding as they acclimate. As you probably guessed, this means your gap spacing will come together so you will want to use a deck fastener that leaves a larger gap space during installation. Ipe Clip® Extreme4™ can also be used. This leaves a 5/32” gap space. It’s a little smaller but still does the job for those that want or need a smaller gap space.

Composite decking – Always check with and follow the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing. Each is different and can vary from 3/32” gap spacing to 1/4″ gap spacing.

PVC Decking – Like composite decking, check with and follow the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing. PVC decking is a little different in that the gap spacing for one part of the country may be different for another part of the county as PVC is more controlled by temperature.

Know what type of decking you have, know what the manufacturer’s recommended gap spacing is, and let us help you choose the Ipe Clip® brand fastener that’s right for you!

·     The first is the obvious; the look. Ipe Clip®  hidden deck fasteners create a truly pristine looking surface. There are no nail pops, mushrooming, or unsightly screws.

·     Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners have superior hold down power than the traditional face screwing. Our deck fasteners are installed at a 45 degree angle. This angle creates a firmer, stronger, and more enduring hold to the joist.

·     Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners are designed for air-dried decking, kiln-dried decking, pvc decking, and composite decking. Each decking material requires different gap spacing to allow for the natural contraction and expansion of deck boards. Our fasteners are designed specifically with this in mind, offering 3 different gap spaces.

·     Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners are installed differently depending on the type of decking material. Hardwood decking is installed by screwing down through half of the deck board then down into the joist; all at a 45 degree angle. This keeps the deck board attached to the joist while allowing it to naturally move on it’s width. Composite and pvc decking is installed by screwing through the fasteners and straight down into the joist, allowing it to naturally move on it’s length.

The benefits of using Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners far out-weigh any other option.

Maxwell Blake

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.

Mushrooming is one such deck problem that happens when composite decking is first installed.

How does mushrooming occur?

Screwing vertically into a composite deck board can sometimes bring up some of the plastic material. They look like mounds. Even though the industry term for this effect is “mushrooming,” I find that it’s there is a better way to picture what this could look like. Imagine insects burrowing out of your composite deck boards and I can bet you’ll quickly understand why it’s one of the more unsightly and unattractive drawbacks to installing composite decking.

Clearly, repairing composite deck boards that are mushrooming can be quite time consuming.

So, how do you repair composite decking that has mushroomed?

Research shows that there really isn’t a one-sized fits all solution. Most composite decking companies claim that the material can be chiseled or sanded off. While that may work for a while, it’s important to remember that composite materials will still expand and contract throughout the years. In fact, most people who solved this issue often found that the mushroom effect came back.

How to prevent mushrooming on your composite deck?

Using the ExtremeKD™ deck fasteners from the Ipe Clip® Company will great reduce this nasty and annoying defect from occurring. These hidden deck fasteners are specially made for composite decking and will greatly reduce the problems that many homeowners have when they used face screws to install.

Check out the three color options that we offer (ExtremeKD™ deck fastener is shown):

Ipe Brown

Patina Gray

Shadowline Black

From hidden deck fasteners to deck drill bits, you can count on the Ipe Clip ® Company for the best deck hardware and deck tools.

Common problems that you can avoid are:

• Nail Pops – Because wood decking grows and shrinks, overtime, the deck board can actually lift up the nail. Using hidden deck fasteners just might keep you from getting sued since the likelihood of someone tripping over an exposed nail is virtually impossible.
• Rot and decay – Every single time it rains, water enters the area where the surface screw entered. As time goes on mildew can build up and the deck board can end up rotting.
• Deck splits and cracks – Just as painful as a nail pop and even more annoying is getting a splinter in your, or a child’s foot. Nothing makes a party end more abruptly than a child with a bloody foot hysterically crying because the homeowner opted to save some money and decided not to use a deck fastening system.
• Mushrooming – If you want to build a composite deck, listen up. If you screw into the top of composite decking, you could end up having your deck look like there are a row of mushrooms due to the composite materials rising above the deck board and around the screw hole.

Building a deck is an investment into not just your home, but also the future memories you can have. Doesn’t it make sense to make sure that you give your deck the best possible chance of having a healthy life while it also gets a chance to look good for decades to come? Also, given that some of these common deck installation problems can lead to bodily harm, doesn’t it also make sense to ensure that you, your loved ones, and your guests are safe?

If you want to ensure that you build a deck that is safe, we have two kinds of deck fasteners that are perfect for your specific decking choice:

• Extreme™ Deck Fastener – Perfect for Air-dried wood decking
• ExtremeKD™ Deck Fastener – Perfect for both composite decking and kiln-dried wood decking

No matter what decking fastener you choose, be sure to use the best deck tools to give your deck a lengthy lifespan without tons of maintenance.

Well, that all depends on the type of decking you choose. At the Ipe Clip Company, we have three distinct lines of hidden deck fasteners that are specially designed to ensure that the decking you choose looks great for years to come:

• ExtremeKD™ Ipe Clip
• Extreme™ Ipe Clip
• Ipe Clip ® Standard

Here are some additional questions to ask when buying hidden deck fasteners:

• Does the deck fasteners I am buying work best with air-dried wood, kiln-dried, wood or composite decking?
• Does the hidden deck fastener company sell deck fastening systems with stainless steel inserts to make the fastener have maximum holding power and nearly unbreakable?
• Can these concealed deck fasteners come in different colors to match my specific decking choice?
• Do the hidden deck fasteners come with a warranty?

You know that building a deck is serious business. Even if you choose a different brand of deck fasteners, make sure that you’re 110% confident that they will get the job done right and that they are easy to use and install. Your deck is something that you’re going to have to live with for some time. The last thing you want is higher maintenance or replacement costs to be an issue that you have to deal with constantly. Doesn’t it make sense to do your due diligence to ensure that you’re getting the best high-quality deck tools available?