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At Trex, innovation has inspired every one of our performance-grade outdoor living products, right down to our efficient installation techniques and smart tools and hardware. From innovations such as hidden deck fasteners for a seamless look to tools and hardware that work with our decking systems, Trex has led the way in influencing the look, feel, and ease of composite decking. The end result? Products that are easier to install and that create a more beautiful outdoor space.
Trex Hideaway® Secret Fixing System
Composite decking and deck hardware has come a long way. In pursuit of the perfect deck, all Trex® decking lines come with a hidden installation option. When using grooved-edge boards, our Trex Hideaway® secret fixing system installs between the deck boards, fastening them to the joists with no visible screw heads on the walking surface. This precision also creates perfectly consistent spacing between the boards for a flawless look across the entire deck. Not only does installing composite decking with hidden fasteners give a polished, clean finish to a deck, but it also makes a deck much smoother on bare feet.
This system includes a few simple components:
The Universal Fastener
Universal fasteners are pieces of self-gapping hardware. They are the main fixing component that attaches two boards together. Universal fasteners are inserted into the groove end of a deck board, helping to secure it to an adjoining board. Using universal hidden fasteners makes for a deck with a smoother surface. Trex universal fasteners feature a stainless steel screw already set in the fixing for increased durability and easier installation.
The square footage of your deck will determine how many universal fasteners you’ll need to secure your deck. When considering how many universal fasteners to purchase, look to the following calculations for deck fasteners below to find out how many you’ll need:
- 1 box covers 50 sq. ft. (4.6 m2)
- 1 bucket covers 500 sq. ft. (46.5 m2)
The Start Clip
Start clips are black, stainless steel fixings designed exclusively for Trex and used to install the perimeter deck boards. They help to firmly hold the first row of grooved Trex decking in place before securing the remaining boards with Trex Hideaway® hidden fasteners. Start clips work with Trex decking and hidden fastener systems to create a smoother, more beautiful installation.
When purchasing start clips, it might be difficult to determine how many to use. Follow our general suggestions below based on the square footage of your deck:
- 1 bag covers 400 sq. ft. (37 m2)
- 1 bucket covers 500 sq. ft. (46.5 m2)
Groove Cutter
Traditional square edge boards require traditional deck screws for installation; however, using a Trex groove cutter routes the necessary underside groove into any traditional board to accommodate our hidden fastening system.
A groove cutter is a type of router bit woodworking tool that creates joints, grooves, and contoured cuts in decking boards, allowing them to work with hidden fasteners and start clips. Trex groove cutters can be used on any style of Trex composite decking board, making cutting composite decking easier for both contractors and DIY-ers.