Installation Guide

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Deck Board Fastening Methods (Continued)

2. The Hidden Fastening Clip System.

a. Install a Starter pro le board using capped composite deck screws 5/8"

(16 mm) from the outer board edge. Screw down the outer edge of the

Starter pro le board at every joist location. Using #10 x 2-3/4" color

matched, capped composite deck screws (similar to Starborn

Deckfast

Cap-tor xd or FastenMaster

TrapEase 3) or the Cortex

color-matched

plug system in a grooved pro le decking installation.

b. Do not overhang Starter pro le boards over joists by more than 1"

(25 mm) widthwise and 2" (51 mm) lengthwise.

c. Always place one hidden fastening clip in the slot in the board edge at

every joist, between deck boards, regardless of the joist spacing. (Side to

side spacing is maintained by the hidden fastening clips.)

d. Use a #7 x 2-1/4" stainless steel screw through the center of the hidden

fastening clip at a 90° angle (or use a hidden fastening clip with a pre-

installed #7 x 2 ¼" star drive trim head screw).

e. Starting at one end… slide the next Scalloped pro le board onto the

exposed hidden fastening clip

Clips of the  rst board and install a single

hidden fastening clip at one end of the out-board edge to hold the board

in place.

f. While standing on the new board and straddling each joist, pound it tight

into the clip with a non-marring dead blow hammer. Repeat steps “c”

through “f” for the remaining boards, installing hidden fastening clip at

each joist.

g. Always face-fasten the outer most edge of the  rst and last board with

capped composite deck screws or the Cortex

plug system (Starter

pro les only).

Helpful Hints:

• Store hidden fastening clip indoors before use. Hidden fastening clip

install best between 40°F and 80°F (4°C and 27°C).

• Use a non-marring dead blow hammer as necessary to tap the hidden

fastening clip into the slot.

• A non-marring dead blow hammer or BoWrench

tool can also be used to

help secure the next Scalloped pro le board into place.

• If the joists are uneven, apply pressure to the deck board where it does

not touch the joist. As pressure is being applied, tap the board into the

hidden fastening clip using the non-marring dead blow hammer.

• In the case of a low joist, shim the hidden fastening clip as necessary to

seat in the slot in the edge of the deck board.

• Take a measurement of the total width of the installed boards to make

sure they are parallel every 3-4 courses

• Walking along joists and non-secured deck boards can be dangerous and

is therefore not recommended.

3. Installing Scalloped and Starter proﬁ le decking via surface screws

method using capped composite decking screw fasteners or the Cortex

Hidden Fastener System:

a. Use #10 x 2-3/4" capped composite deck screws when installing

Scalloped pro le decking. (Similar to Starborn

Deckfast Cap-Tor xd

or FastenMaster

TrapEase 3 color matched capped composite deck

screws. Both are available at local building product retailers.)

b. When using non-capped composite decking fasteners (as outlined above),

pre-drill and countersink for the screw size (#8 x 2-1/2" typical.)

c. Two fasteners are required at each joist, one on each side of the board,

regardless of the joist spacing.

d. Drive fasteners straight and directly through the deck boards at a 90°

angle to the decking surface. Do not “toe nail” or drill at an angle.

e. Never place fasteners closer than 5/8" (16 mm) from the edge or ends of

the board.

f. For the best appearance, use a white chalk line to ensure straight fastener

lines. Colored chalk can stain the decking and can be very dif cult to

remove.

g. When using the Cortex

Hidden Fastening System (Starter pro les only)

with surface screws and plugs, please refer to the instructions inside the

box to ensure the most up-to-date installation method.

Helpful Hints:

• In the case of a low joist, shim the deck board as necessary before

securing the deck board.

• Take a measurement of the total width of the installed boards to make

sure they are parallel every 3-4 courses

• Walking along joists and non-secured deck boards can be dangerous and

is therefore not recommended.

Fascia and Riser Board Installation

1. Fasten fascia and riser boards using #8 x 2" stainless steel capped

composite deck screws or #9 x 1-7/8" fascia screws (similar to the

Starborn Deckfast Fascia System). Use three fasteners equally spaced

across the width of the fascia board at the top, middle and bottom locations

of the board (2 fasteners for riser board) and spaced approximately every

12" (305mm) along the length of the board. Never place fasteners closer

than 5/8" (16 mm) from the edge or ends of the board.

2. When decking boards are installed picture framing the deck, fasten the

fascia board to the rim joist, leaving a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap between the top

of the fascia and the bottom of the deck boards. Decking boards should

not overhang the outer rim joists by more than 2" (51 mm).

3. When decking boards are installed without picture framing the deck, trim

the deck boards so they run past the outer rim joists by less than 2"

(51 mm). Fasten the fascia board to the rim joist, leaving a 1/8" (3.2 mm)

gap between the top of the fascia and the bottom of the deck boards.

Do not extend fascia to cover deck board ends.

NOTE:

When using fascia to cover joists wider than 11-1/2" (292 mm), either

stack multiple layers of fascia or use a combination of fascia boards, deck

boards and 2x4s as accents to create a unique look. (Fig. 2)

Fascia beneath deck board - preferred

Fascia beneath 2x4 or 5/ 4x6 deck board band

Fig 2.

5/ 4x6 decking

2x4 or 5/ 4x6 trim band

2x PT rim joist

1/2" x 11-1/2" fascia,

trimmed to exposed rim joist width,

with nominal 1/2" extension below rim joist