Hidden deck fasteners give a beautiful finished look to deck surfaces. They are popular for their aesthetics and are often considered part of modern black locust decking solutions. However, hidden fasteners have certain limitations we encourage you to consider before building your deck. Here are 3 key things you should know about how to fasten your Black Locust decking—and the long-term benefits of black locust decking when installed correctly.
Hidden fasteners give you an aesthetic-looking deck, but...
Here at Black Locust Lumber Global we appreciate aesthetics. And we understand the craze around hidden fasteners, they do look amazing. So what’s the catch? It lies in their performance. When choosing hidden fasteners for your deck, you are compromising strength for looks.
Stainless steel screws work best with your hidden deck fasteners
It’s a fact that the hidden fastener system is not as strong as screwing into deck boards. We recommend using stainless steel screws for fastening your Black Locust deck. Stainless steel screws resist corrosion by air, water and acid. This way you will achieve the strongest, most long-lasting finish no matter your local weathering conditions.
Hidden fastener deck at Phipps Conservancy and Botanical Gardens
Decks with hidden fasteners are prone to sideways movement
When deciding on your deck fastening method, take into consideration that your deck will be exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. Moisture is the biggest enemy of all exterior woods. Precipitation and heat will expand and shrink your decking boards. Since each board is fastened only through one edge, the other edge is free to move. Over time this will result in a crooked deck.
Pick narrower deck boards for a stronger hidden fastening system
Due to consistent weather changes, the gaps between decking boards will also change. We recommend selecting the narrower, 4” wide deck boards for the hidden fastener system—one of the most practical black locust decking solutions. This is based on the fact that the forces of natural movement are greatly reduced by using 4” wide boards. A deck built with narrower decking boards will provide a stronger structure overall, enhancing the natural benefits of black locust decking. The more fastening, the stronger the deck. Your best bet is to go with a 4-inch deck board with a groove. Do not install a 6-inch wide decking board, because the clip will not have enough strength to hold it.
