Fasteners

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Deck fasteners require special consideration, as they may effect the longevity of a deck. That is, it does not make sense to fasten material that has a 50 year life expectency with 20 year life expectency fasters.

Fastening Treated Lumber

Recently a number of hidden fastener products have been introduced that work with standard wood decking. This is desireable, as the typical approach of screwing or nailing though the top of deck boards into joists creates an entry point for moisture, where it can penatrate the untreated inner area of lumber. In addition, fasteners attached in this way often back out, resulting in loose boards and an undesirable walking surface for bare feet.

An important consideration is that the chemicals used in ACQ treated lumber will corrode ordinary galvanized fasteners. It is critical that hot dipped or stainless steel fasteners be used with ACQ. A study by Simpson Strong-Tie, a fastener manufacturer, found that the new treatments were twice as corrosive as CCA. The rate of corrosion depends on several factors, including proximity to salt water, pollutants, temperature, and relative humidity.

Many fastener manufacturers have been increasing the amount of zinc in their fasteners, some as much as 50 percent. This is because greater amounts of zinc on the surface of hot-dipped galvanized fasteners reduces the amount of corrosion. However, it is important to note that galvanized fasteners are rust-resistant, not rust-proof. The only way to be sure fasteners will remain rust free is to use stainless steal fasteners, which cost more.

Here are some resources on the Web that discuss fasteners used with the new types of treated lumber:
• Corrosion of Fasteners and Connectors Used with "Next Generation" Preserved Wood (Arch)

Fastening Alternative Decking Materials

Some types of alternative decking systems are designed with a hidden fastener system in mind. For example, many types of plastic lumber use a G-G (Groove-Groove) system whereby a small plastic insert rides in the groove between two pieces of decking, with a screw used to fasten the insert to a joist. In some cases the fastener is proprietary to the particular type of decking, available only from the decking's manufacturer. In other cases the decking manufacturer may recommend a particular type or brand of fastener.

Fastener Manufacturers
Manufacturer/
Brand Name Warranty Comments
FastenMaster
Unknown Complete line of deck fasteners including LedgerLokâ„¢, a fastener made specifically for deck ledgers.
Swan Secure Products
Unknown
EbTy
Unknown Polypropylene biscuit-like hidden fastener system. Uses Swan Secure #7 stainless steel screws. Often used with hardwoods, e.g. Ipe, etc.