Fasteners For Decking: Hidden And Open Fastening, Clamp And Mounting Clips, "Snake" And "Cobra", Other Options

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

Terrace board is unique in that it can be mounted in almost any way, without losing the quality of the result. The structure is a reinforcement that allows the use of various materials in the construction of terraces. The lack of fasteners for terrace boards is the need for an individual selection of resources for construction.

Open mount features

This technology of terrace equipment is carried out using certain tools: an electric drill and bolts. It requires great installation skills, since the slightest deviation from the norm can lead to the collapse of the structure . Decking is carried out by drilling the outer surface of the board. At this stage, an electric drill is applied to influence the structure of the covalent polar bond.

A thick molecular layer breaks down, creating space for electron clouds to move, triggering intense chemical reactions . The result is a powerful structure that can withstand heavy loads, but short-lived due to aggressive installation technology.

Next, the decking is attached to the logs. To increase the rigidity of the structure, self-tapping screws and bolts are used . At this stage, it is important to maintain an equal distance between the bearing materials, since otherwise the efforts will be uneven and the decking may break. Open fasteners for a decking board are quite simple to perform with certain skills and are in no way inferior in bearing properties and strength, however, they have a poor appearance in comparison with a closed equipment system.

There is another technology for fixing terrace boards. Its essence lies in the use of WPC - boards containing a wood-polymer composite. Every year these materials are gaining momentum in household, industrial and construction consumption for several reasons.

• Long service life: durability due to intensive Brownian movement in molecules, as well as high resistance to corrosion, reducing the risk of damage to the outer coating during rain.
• Resistance to wear: WPC decking boards have a molecular aluminum film (protecting the coating from the influence of oxygen and subsequent decomposition).
• No need for constant maintenance: due to their natural physical properties, WPC materials do not need constant processing and painting.

The main disadvantage of these resources for fixing terrace boards is their weakness to ultraviolet rays . At temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, they begin to emit an unpleasant odor, giving off chemical reagents, at temperatures above 40 degrees, the material begins to melt and gradually changes shape. Installation is carried out using the same technology as conventional materials, except for the use of clips instead of bolts.

It should be borne in mind that the former are used to equip the central part of the board, and self-tapping screws are needed to fasten the extreme points . From the above, we can conclude that it is possible to use WPC boards only in places of low temperatures, otherwise many problems may arise.

Equipping a terrace with conventional materials is impractical using an open method of fastening if beauty is in the first place, not practicality.

Varieties of hidden fasteners

Thanks to this technology, it is possible to successfully fasten wood floorings without fear of high loads on the structure, corrosion and wear. The service life is also long - according to average estimates, terrace boards made using the technology of hidden fasteners can be used for 5-10 years . The main difference from open equipment is the terminals that are not outside, but inside the board.

The most popular mounting method is Twin Stud . Thanks to him, it is possible not only to achieve high-quality drainage in case of heavy rainfall by creating a gap for the boards to swell, but also to provide a reliable connection in the logs for a wooden board.

Reliability and rigidity of the structure is achieved through the use of special studs, and thanks to galvanized fasteners, the structure does not corrode.

Clamp and plastic clips, used as additional protection for the structure, give the boards rigidity. A connector is used to hold them together. Installation work does not require a large number of tools and work skills, so the Twin Stud technology can be handled alone. The choice of the type of hidden fasteners is carried out as follows.

• To fix the decking in the end part: in this case, the technologies "Key", "Cat" and "Cobra" are used.
• To fix elements cut at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees, you need to use the "Snake" and special corners.
• If it is necessary to install fasteners under the deck, use the "Bridge", "Crab", "Omega".

Key

British decking technology uses stainless steel alloys to achieve maximum resistance to corrosion. The equipment has the shape of a key, from which the name of the fastening technology comes . It can only be used for decking, the thickness of which does not exceed 2 mm. Otherwise, the "key" does not withstand the loads and splits. The same situation occurs with thinner boards.

" Key" allows you to get a smooth, but at the same time hard surface . The clamp provides additional strength and prevents premature wear of the structure. The resulting products have a long service life and good protection against environmental influences and precipitation.

Cobra

This technology of fastening metal materials has become widespread in the domestic sphere. It is used for quick installation of terraces and awnings using profile resources from different types of wood. The appearance is distinguished by the presence of angular ends directed in different directions . One of the ends has a horizontal extension, reminiscent of a cobra. The second base has 3 directions, folding at different angles from 45 to 90 degrees.

Installation is carried out in the same way: during the procedure, studded fasteners are used, which require additional milling work . "Cobra" has a wide range of applications, allows for high-quality installation without sacrificing time and financial costs, obtaining a stable and rigid structure that does not require constant care and maintenance, and also provides several options for equipping terrace boards.

Cat

It is used for the installation of terrace boards with a thickness of 20 mm and higher and using profile materials without a groove. An important condition is the manufacture of low density wood. " Cat" allows you to keep the outer part of the structure intact, while the inner surface is not destroyed by heavy loads . The appearance of the structure is represented by a studded fastening system, thanks to which several boards are connected to each other. One of the ends has a sharp stop, which allows a medium metal gap to be created.

During installation, it is recommended to carry out pre-drilling - it avoids problems in use, and also increases the service life of the structure . The resulting fastener is connected to the lag through the hole. The main advantage of "Koshka" is the ease and speed of installation, which makes it possible to refuse additional procedures in the form of welding and tooling.

The gap is formed automatically, maintaining the integrity and original shape of the structure. The area of application is the same as that of "Cobra".

Snake

It is used in the case of individual selection of the angle for decking. For the equipment, corrosion-resistant materials are used to ensure a smooth and high-quality flooring . The exterior of the structure consists of galvanized plates and round holes connecting fasteners. Additional holes are located on the sides, the main thing is closer to the central part.

"Snake" provides high-quality installation without creating gaps. This effect is achieved by the absence of a special protrusion. The structures are highly resistant to rainfall and environmental conditions. The main modification - "Boat" consists of hardwood and numerous connecting elements.

The appearance is made up of rectangular plates connected by screws and bolts. The "Boat" is used everywhere, has a solid construction and universal fasteners, consisting of medium density boards. It has a long service life and a protective outer coating that protects the boards from corrosion.

Crab

It is used for concealed installation of terrace boards in order to obtain a smooth and rigid flooring. To create the structure, stainless steel is used, connected with a groove to increase the strength of the material . The appearance consists of flat flooring devices, fastened together by connecting elements in a horizontal and vertical form. Gaps are smooth additional elements that do not have sharp ends.

Bridge

It is used for facade and terrace boards, the height of which does not exceed 10 mm. The most widespread are when equipping products from WPC. The exterior is made up of a flat metal plate with a round hole in the center . The ends of the structure rest on metal supports, which also have side holes.

The main advantage of "Most" is that this equipment allows you to get rid of the effect of corrosion on the structure.

Omega

It is used for equipment and cladding of terrace boards with a symmetrical groove. It has several modifications that differ in properties, but have the same shape ."Omega" is used for the installation of various structures, allows to carry out repair and installation work with different tools, as well as to provide the boards with durability and greater strength, along with a long service life. When working, you can use wood of any thickness and size, fixings are made only with screws, and installation does not require much effort and time.

Tools and accessories

The following tools are needed to fix the deck boards

• Screwdriver and hammer.
• Electric drill, screwdriver.
• Screws, bolts and screws.
• Installation equipment, electric welding.
• Saw for wood.
• Tape measure.
• Stationery: glue, rulers, construction pencil case.

Only with these tools and devices, work with decking becomes feasible and easy.