Thank you for your content!! Question: Will water intrusion be a problem when using plugs or camo screws for the entry level composites containing wood fibers?
I don’t recall which composite decking brand I used, but it was an upper end brand. I used the face screws and plugs. I am on the deck right now, and am struggling to even find the plugs. I have had friends over, many of whom thought I used hidden fasteners. The installer did a great job lining up the grain on the plug with the grain on the deck board. Although the extra strength may not be needed, I prefer the face screwing o the hidden fasteners. Just my opinion.
Thats totally fair Brian! It all really depends on the look. Also over the past few years we have noticed that the plug quality has gotten much better though its still tedious to match up all the grain patterns. The installer makes all the difference in that case for sure!
great topic guys. what are your thoughts for using camo edge clips but using the coretex plugs and face screwing the ends of boards where it butts into picture frame? best of both worlds?
Camo screwing composite deck boards down is still noticeable. I can see every hole on the edge. Not as noticeable with PT lumber. I am torn between face screwing and using plugs vs. using a hidden fastener. I agree that with hidden fasteners, the screws could loosen up and pull out or the boards could move side to side. On the other hand, I'm not sure face screwing with plugs will hold up over the years. I wonder how often the plugs pop out or if the board buckles with intense heat. I don't rely on the boards to keep my deck from racking. If the deck is up high enough where I have concern, I will install 2x4 blocking diagonally across the deck from both sides of the ledger to eliminate that.
Yes you can see the Camo holes a little bit but they are quite small and you'll eventually forget about them. Depends on the spacer you use too. The 3/16" spacer seats the screw much lower than the 1/16" option. As for plugs, they rarely ever pop out. Like ever. Unless they weren't all the way seated in the first place. As for buckling, it can happen if the board is not super thermally stable and you don't use enough fasteners. Use lots of fasteners. And correct, don't rely solely on the decking for lateral stability, especially if using clips. V/W bracing or knee bracing is a good idea especially for elevated projects. You have the right idea!
Hey, Australian viewer here. Does face fixing composite decking have a long term problem with the expansion in WPCs? Whereas clips allow the slight movement?
We have never seen any issues with face screwing (good quality) composite decking. Clips on the other hand work great too. Some hold better than others. Trex Hideaway clips for example, we have seen boards slide around a bit as the clips get loose. But others like Camo Edge clips seem to have great holding power.
Hi guys I’m wondering if you could help me out I’m looking at veranda decking it’s new I was told came out about a month ago I live in New England I’m doing my deck this weekend 12x26 my house has no shade and gets full sun all day long I want something to last and it has a 25 year life on it what are you thought’s on this board? Thanks love listening to you guys
Veranda is Home Depot private label. Could be Fiberon, could be Deckorators, could be Duralife. I would choose any one of those over the Veranda cheapened version of it.
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Thank you for your content!! Question: Will water intrusion be a problem when using plugs or camo screws for the entry level composites containing wood fibers?
I don’t recall which composite decking brand I used, but it was an upper end brand. I used the face screws and plugs. I am on the deck right now, and am struggling to even find the plugs. I have had friends over, many of whom thought I used hidden fasteners. The installer did a great job lining up the grain on the plug with the grain on the deck board. Although the extra strength may not be needed, I prefer the face screwing o the hidden fasteners. Just my opinion.
Thats totally fair Brian! It all really depends on the look. Also over the past few years we have noticed that the plug quality has gotten much better though its still tedious to match up all the grain patterns. The installer makes all the difference in that case for sure!
great topic guys. what are your thoughts for using camo edge clips but using the coretex plugs and face screwing the ends of boards where it butts into picture frame? best of both worlds?
With screws, are we not allowing water intrusion through the screw holes? Even camos, they've gotta be letting water in.
I was wondering the same thing.
What about face screws with plugs? Wouldnt that be the best??? It provides structure and you can hide them.
Correct...screw and plugged is a great compromise to achieve both strength and a relatively hidden fastener.
Camo screwing composite deck boards down is still noticeable. I can see every hole on the edge. Not as noticeable with PT lumber. I am torn between face screwing and using plugs vs. using a hidden fastener. I agree that with hidden fasteners, the screws could loosen up and pull out or the boards could move side to side. On the other hand, I'm not sure face screwing with plugs will hold up over the years. I wonder how often the plugs pop out or if the board buckles with intense heat. I don't rely on the boards to keep my deck from racking. If the deck is up high enough where I have concern, I will install 2x4 blocking diagonally across the deck from both sides of the ledger to eliminate that.
Yes you can see the Camo holes a little bit but they are quite small and you'll eventually forget about them. Depends on the spacer you use too. The 3/16" spacer seats the screw much lower than the 1/16" option. As for plugs, they rarely ever pop out. Like ever. Unless they weren't all the way seated in the first place.
As for buckling, it can happen if the board is not super thermally stable and you don't use enough fasteners. Use lots of fasteners.
And correct, don't rely solely on the decking for lateral stability, especially if using clips. V/W bracing or knee bracing is a good idea especially for elevated projects. You have the right idea!
Hey, Australian viewer here. Does face fixing composite decking have a long term problem with the expansion in WPCs? Whereas clips allow the slight movement?
We have never seen any issues with face screwing (good quality) composite decking. Clips on the other hand work great too. Some hold better than others. Trex Hideaway clips for example, we have seen boards slide around a bit as the clips get loose. But others like Camo Edge clips seem to have great holding power.
Hi guys I’m wondering if you could help me out I’m looking at veranda decking it’s new I was told came out about a month ago I live in New England I’m doing my deck this weekend 12x26 my house has no shade and gets full sun all day long I want something to last and it has a 25 year life on it what are you thought’s on this board? Thanks love listening to you guys
Veranda is Home Depot private label. Could be Fiberon, could be Deckorators, could be Duralife. I would choose any one of those over the Veranda cheapened version of it.