If you’re looking to build your own deck, or remodel what you have, or work with a contractor, you might not be thinking about how the individual deck boards are going to be laid out and secured to the deck beams. A lot of homeowners might not know the entire industry of deck clip fasteners and alternative ways to adhere deck boards to the deck structure. You could simply drill holes through your deck boards to secure them, or you can use hidden fasteners of decking like Black Talon universal deck clips for a seamless look to your deck without drill holes.
Nails and Screws: Even though these are reasonably simple tools, there have been advances in nails and screws over the years. Newer types of metals are resistant to corrosion and rust, and have better design for easier installation. Some can even be bent while installing! However, a downside to using this method is that ungrooved decking can sometimes expand and contract due to moisture or temperature changes. Screwed or nailed boards in this situation could warp over time because of this and is a particular concern with composite decking materials. Deck Clips as an Alternative: Rather than using nails and screws, many homeowners choose to use hidden fasteners for decking instead because they clip on the sides of decking material, which gives more room for boards to expand and contract. Deck clip fasteners also help prevent splits over time because they can help prevent water penetration due to not having screw holes. Sleek, Seamless look: On top of this practical benefit of longevity, homeowners can benefit by using deck clip fasteners to give a sleek and smooth finished look of their deck without screw holes. Although installing hidden fasteners for decking systems takes more time than installing screws or nails, many manufacturers make decking material that has grooved edges to make installation very straightforward with your deck clip fasteners. Hidden fasteners or deck clips fasteners are generally sold separately from decking boards, so it is up to the homeowner or the contractor to find the best deck clips for the job. Many manufactures also make their own clips, but you have the freedom to choose the best clips on the market for your individual application. We recommend always going with Black Talon Universal Deck Clips because their durable design can work with many types of installations, and are built to last. Find out more information on their website: https://www.blacktalonuniversal.com/
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If you’re looking to build a new deck, choosing the right decking material and the right deck fastening system are major considerations. There are many excellent choices of hardwood, softwood, and composite materials which pros and cons for each. Today, we are going to focus on hardwood vs. softwood and share how you can choose the right hidden clips for your decking projects with either choice.
First, it should be stated that “soft” wood and “hard” wood are not characteristics that we would feel by manipulating a board with your hands - this is more of a terminology to describe the different structures and decorative abilities of each. They come from different types of trees, many times from different parts of the world. Softwood When many folks think of a standard 2x4 beam outside of the industry, they are likely thinking of a softwood product. Softwoods are sourced from all around the world and have a diverse application from furniture, to decking, to structures, and everything in between. The versatility of these types of woods and because they are readily available, they generally cost less as well. They are easily manipulated and weigh less because they are from trees that are less dense. It is certainly possible to build a deck with these types of woods, but a lot of attention needs to be paid to finishing work and decking sealer upon installation. Homeowners can use a deck fastening system to seamlessly install these boards as well using traditional decking screws or a hidden clip decking system to hide the fasteners. Hardwood Coming from trees that grow slower, this wood is denser and can be used in a wide arrange of applications. Many homeowners look to use hardwood as well because of the different species of trees that are available, and the different colors and designs once they are milled. Between the longer grow times and processing times (for drying, etc), these wood generally cost more but also last longer. In terms of both strength and durability, hardwood has many advantages. This sort of strength can pose challenges for assembling a deck, however, because of the density. There are transitional deck fastening systems that can securely tie-down each board of your deck, but what is you want to have a seamless deck to show the beauty of your hardwood? That is where hidden clips for decking systems come into place. Deck Fastening System Recommendation: Our #1 recommendation for either type of wood is Black Talon Universal hidden clips for decking. These strong and durable clips hold down your deck boards while maintaining a seamless outward appearance of your deck. Learn more about these at https://www.blacktalonuniversal.com/ Many of us may have never heard of hidden deck fasteners before, or may have never noticed small screw holes or any engineering on the decks that we've stood on. However, to a lot of homeowners, it's very important to have hidden deck fasteners in their outdoor living space. Why is that?
The traditional way of building decks includes putting the screws straight through the deck board into the joist below. These can be unsightly, especially if the homeowner has invested in a high-quality hardwood such as TigerDeck. Depending on budget, homeowners might opt for deck clips that are out of sight in order to maintain the seamless beauty of the deck boards that were purchased for the project. It might seem like a small thing, but for those who pay attention to the little details, and wish to have an elegant entertaining space, hidden deck fasteners might be the one thing that is able to subtly impress your guests. For the best deck clips in the industry, consider Black Talon Universal Deck Clips. These hidden deck fasteners work with boards from several manufacturers, and are both strong and long-lasting. Contact Black Talon today to learn more about these hidden deck clips for your next deck project. During the pandemic, people spent more time at home where many folks were looking at ways they could improve their living space. This includes outdoor amenities, and most importantly, their decks. Now that it is becoming safer to spend more time entertaining, it might be a good time to think about how you can get your deck ready for entertaining this year. With spring just around the corner, let's look at some practical improvements to get your outdoor living space ready.
New or rebuilt? Many home plans already include a deck, but some homes don't have one quite finished. Regardless, for any deck that needs some major Improvement, it's important to consider how that deck is going to be put together. Of course going with a qualified contractor, and choosing the right type of wood or composite will help create an outdoor living space that is both safe and long-lasting. When it comes to fastening the boards to your deck, there are several choices. For both wood and composite decks, many families choose to find a hidden clip that is strong enough to hold the boards in place but is not visible from the outside. This creates a more seamless, classy look to your outdoor living area. Whether you are looking to build a new deck or rebuild your old deck, finding the right deck fastening system is really important. Deck fastening systems: Many wood and composite deck board suppliers recommend using their own clips, but we recommend looking into all options that are available in the market, including Black Talon Universal Deck Fasteners. You are not required to go with the clips or fasteners that are suggested by the board manufacturer in most cases. These Hidden clips for decking applications are flexible yet durable. They come in both standard and angled design to fit your project. Installation is easy and provide the strength to hold up to whatever social event you have on your deck. Both contractors and DIY homeowners can be confident that these hidden clips are the best on the market, even though they are hidden from sight after installation. Final thoughts: If you're looking to create the best outdoor living space possible for our upcoming spring season, contact Black Talon to see what options are available to you. You can also find a local distributor or retail outlet here. These Hidden Clips for decking projects have been on the market for years, with purchases in bulk from large manufacturers, to contractors looking to provide a quality deck for their customers, to the home owner looking for a classy outdoor space without sightly deck clips visible. Black Talon is the quality universal clips needed for a quality deck built to entertain for years. Decks might seem to be very simple additions to the back or front of your home, but there is a lot of intentionality that can (and should) go into decking. The engineering of the deck of is of course very important to get right, and we always recommend building through a certified contractor. For those who want to DIY a deck project, or want to understand what goes into the parts of the deck that you can’t see, read further.
Railings Deck railings are both very important in terms of form and function. There are local codes that dictate how tall railings need to be, how much space can be between each balusters, and generally what type of materials go into the design. The basic design of a railing includes several posts with balusters in between, with a handrail that connects everything together. The posts can include a decorative cap or can be simple in design. Many designs can include painted accent pieces or mesh in between to protect small children and/or animals. Deck Boards Another important feature of a deck is the type of board you choose to use. You want to select something that is both visually appealing and the type that will last for many years to come. The main considerations of how to choose the type of board you use are how you intend to use the deck, your budget, and the location. If the deck is intended to be used sparingly versus a deck that is used every weekend, that could change the board chosen for longevity and durability. Your budget could also be a strong indicator of what type of wood or composite to choose. Some products will last a couple years before boards will need to be replaced or there will be extra maintenance, and some products will last for decades. The location is also important because decks that are exposed to the elements may begin to deteriorate faster, or those that have a lot of debris from being underneath trees could have maintenance issues sooner, depending on the type of wood or composite. There are several great options that are on the market today to address these considerations. Deck Clip Fasteners For some folks, deck boards with visible screws are unsightly, and they may wish to use hidden fasteners instead. This is a very popular trend with higher-end decking projects. For these projects, we recommend the best hidden fasteners for decking from Black Talon. Many manufacturers insist on using their own deck clip fasteners, but that's not a requirement. Black Talon Universal Fasteners Create a long-lasting and durable connection of your deck boards to your deck. If you are looking for the very best hidden fastener on the market, look no further than Black Talon. Outdoor decks have a lifespan of anywhere between 10 to 50 years, depending on the quality of the materials used. Decks made from treated woods or composite materials generally tend to last longer. It’s important to appreciate the features and benefits of each material on offer, so that you can make an informed decision with your next outdoor decking project.
The performance of both wood and composite materials will differ depending on the specific quality of the material, but in general, composite materials typically require less maintenance, but are more expensive. Wooden decks Most homeowners prefer to choose real wood for their decking, for the feel and look that only real wood can offer. The type of wood you choose for your outdoor deck will affect its longevity and its maintenance requirements. One popular form of wooden decking is constructed from pressure-treated wood (PT). It is an inexpensive option and is widely available. Pressure-treated wood is soaked in anti-rot and insecticide agents. PT wooden boards are usually a brown-green color, but can be stained to achieve a more distinctive appearance. There is a downside to pressure-treated wood and that is its tendency to warp and split if it doesn’t receive regular maintenance. Cedar and redwood are very popular real wood choices for outdoor decking, that offer a natural and authentic look. Cedar and redwood are both natural bug repellents and are resistant to rotting, cracking, and splitting. Cedar and redwood are both very attractive woods, and their beauty can even increase with age. For those with even more money to spend on their decking, Amazonian Ipe wood is a premium option. This is an exotic hardwood that naturally repels bugs and rot, but it's also much more durable than many other varieties of wood, and can last for up to fifty years! Composite materials Composite decking materials have increased in popularity in recent years. Composite deck boards are made mostly from recycled plastic and wood fibres. Composite boards can be very customizable and can be made to replicate the look of original wood. A primary reason for the increasing popularity of composite decking is that it requires virtually no maintenance. Wood decks need periodical refinishing and sanding to keep them looking good. Composite decks usually come with a long warranty and need little work to keep them looking good. Due to their advantages, composite boards are nearly as expensive as redwood boards. To create long-lasting and durable outdoor decks, use durable hidden fasteners for wood decking. The application of high-quality hidden deck clips will instantly extend the life of your investment and ensure a premium finish. For the highest quality hidden clips for wood decking in the USA, visit : www.blacktalonuniversal.com/buy Related Posts: Here are the top 3 reasons why you should use deck fasteners instead of screws Outdoor decking – It’s all in the wood 3 ways your home can benefit from fitting Outdoor Decking |
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