• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Marketinia

Marketing Solutions for Moving Forward

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Business
    • Construction
    • Family
    • Fitness
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Swimming Pool
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Pros & Cons of Tropical Decking Fastening Systems

Last updated on November 29, 2012 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

At J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company, we specialize in tropical decking, and we supply that high quality decking throughout the United States. As experts in this field, we have found that there are some hard-and-fast installation principles that ring true regardless of whether you use African or Asian hardwood species such as Cumaru, Teak, or Ipe; domestic softwoods such as pressure-treated Pine; or even a composite material.

The two basic types of decking installation utilize face screwing techniques or hidden fasteners. Both methods have their positives and negatives. Since many of our clients utilize premium decking species such as Ipe or Cumaru, we’ll focus on how fastener systems can help you get the most out of your tropical decking products.

Method 1: Face Screwing

Two major benefits of face screwing are speed and security. However, the security of keeping the decking pieces firmly in position must be balanced with the need to allow for the natural flexibility that comes with seasonal movement. Therefore, only one screw should be placed across the width of each deckboard. When allowed to freely expand and contract, face-screwed tropical decking won’t twist, warp, or develop uneven surface gaps.

Some critics, however, believe that those positives fail to outweigh the unattractiveness of exposed screw holes. In addition to the unattractiveness involved in face screwing, using this method for hard, dense tropical decking species can be rough for screws, drills, and drill bits: Many a drill motor has been burnt out by “ironwood” Ipe.

Method 2: Hidden Fasteners

The unblemished face of tropical decking installed with hidden fasteners is a major draw of this installation method. One downside is the longer amount of time that installation takes; another is the freedom for seasonal movement that can result in an uneven surface. When hidden fasteners are used, builders can drill into the softer decking sub-structure lumber, rather than the harder tropical hardwood used for the deck surface. Some clip systems will recommend drilling through the bottom half of the deck board, though, which will mean major wear-and-tear on drills and bits. Hidden fastener systems are designed to allow one edge of a board to remain free to expand and contract during seasonal shifts of moisture levels, while keeping the boards firmly secured to the joists.

Further Considerations

While opinions abound regarding the benefits of one installation system over another, at J. Gibson McIlvain lumber company, the method used depends largely on personal taste. The key to a successful installation is not determined by the method, but more by the lumber selection. Regardless of the fastening system used, a carefully air-dried, quality decking board will be more stable than a lower grade material, regardless of how it’s installed. Choosing the right thickness, width, and species requires a good dealer with a wide selection of premium hardwood tropical decking options.

You can always feel free to contact the tropical decking product experts at J. Gibson McIlvain to discuss the details of your decking product needs. We deliver mid to large sized shipments of premium decking wood regularly nationwide. Call us at (800) 638-9100 or visit our website at mcilvain.com.

Learn more about decking at the J. Gibson McIlvain blog

  • Choosing the type of tropical decking
  • When should I use air dried versus kiln dried Ipe decking?
  • Finding a green, inexpensive decking alternative to Ipe

Filed Under: Construction

Additional Articles

young teen girl leaning against pool wall
Keeping Up with Swimming Pool Material Innovation, Part 2
young toddler girl jumping into swimming pool
Keeping Up with Swimming Pool Material Innovation, Part 1
completed ipe back deck and stairs
Ipe Wood: An Unusual Lumber Species, Part 3
fresh ipe wood deck
Ipe Wood: An Unusual Lumber Species, Part 2
ipe decking boards
Ipe Wood: An Unusual Lumber Species, Part 1
busy logging operation in forest
Learning About Wood Movement, Part 1

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 × 3 =



Primary Sidebar

Lyon Financial

Featured Articles

  • Marine Grade Plywood Uses and Facts
  • Should I Use Genuine Mahogany or African Mahogany?
  • Product Review of NuCedar Materials
  • Cracks in Large Timbers: What Can You Do To Prevent Them?
  • Genuine Mahogany vs. African Mahogany
  • How to find an Alternative to Ipe as Prices Rise
  • What Is the Ideal Gap Between Decking Boards?
  • Wood Decking Species Choices: Red Balau
  • Pros & Cons of Tropical Decking Fastening Systems
  • Wood Decking Species Choices: Jatoba
X10 Home Automation

Popular Articles

  • How to Keep Track of Your Flash Drive
  • Stretching: Can There Be Too Much of a Good Thing?
  • Benefits of Ambidexterity
  • Should I Use Genuine Mahogany or African Mahogany?
  • Marine Grade Plywood Uses and Facts
  • How Much Is Your Trucking Business Worth?
  • What’s All the Excitement over X10 Home Automation?
  • Product Review of NuCedar Materials
  • Heated Driveway Installation by D'Amico Electric of Westchester, NY
  • The Truth About Recovering from Shoulder Labral Repair Surgery
  • Encourage Healthy Choices by Adding a Pool to Your Backyard

Reader Feedback

  • Alice Carroll on Gymnastics Tips: Back to the Basics with 6 Beginner Moves
  • Alice Carroll on The Vinyl Liner Pool Owner’s Guide to Swimming Pool Repairs
  • Alice Carroll on Concrete Sealer: What You Need to Know, Part 2
  • Alice Carroll on Vinyl Liner Options for Your New Swimming Pool
  • Afton Jackson on Pros & Cons of Fiberglass Swimming Pool Liners
  • Alice Carroll on Concrete Sealer: What You Need to Know, Part 3
  • Alice Carroll on Pros & Cons of Fiberglass Swimming Pool Liners

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap