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

Strategicia

Initiate. Inspire. Innovate.

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Family
    • Health & Fitness
    • Education
    • Furniture
    • Technology
    • Business
    • Financial
    • Marketing
    • Transportation
    • Construction
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Ipe Decking: Should you use Face Screwed or Hidden Fasteners?

Last updated on March 13, 2014 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Painted head screws for fastening decking
Painted head screws for fastening decking
When installing a tropical hardwood deck, such as an Ipe deck, contractors are immediately faced with the question of whether to use face screwed or hidden fasteners to secure the deck. Each method has its benefits and shortfalls, and ultimately, the specific environment of the project along with customer preferences can make that decision clear for the contractor.

Face Screwed Fasteners

Face screwed fasteners tend to be a faster method when installing a deck. Relying on the natural flexibility of the plank, face screwing can be done quickly and allows room for expansion. However, problems start to creep up when contractors use more than one face screw across the width of a board. This will lead to problems in years to come as the wood is not able to readily expand. If you choose to face screw, one screw across the width is generally enough to secure the deck and allow for expansion.

So, if it is quicker and secure, what seems to be the problem with face screwing your Ipe deck? Well, for many, the appeal of an Ipe deck is the beautiful appearance. Face screws can leave exposed screw holes that are clearly visible as you walk across the deck. This blemish in the appearance may be enough for you to choose hidden fasteners.

Extreme Ipe deck clips
Extreme Ipe deck clips

Hidden Fasteners

Hidden fasteners leave an unblemished appearance, because they are hidden and match the color of your decking. Some hidden fastener manufacturers even boast that this method is 3X more secure than other methods. Furthermore, the clip system leaves one edge of the board free for movement throughout the year, and the contractor needs to spend less time determining gaps if they choose a hidden fastener that already has a predetermined gap in mind.

So, what seems to be the problem with hidden fasteners? Well, they do take longer to install. But if time isn’t an issue, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, hidden fasteners do worry some contractors that there will be too much room for movement. As the deck moves throughout the year, the surface may become uneven.

Ipe decking
Ipe decking
Ultimately, what should you use? J. Gibson McIlvain Company supplies Ipe lumber, as well as bits, clips, fasteners, and screws for all of your decking needs. To date, the company hasn’t been persuaded either way that one method is far more superior to the other. In fact, it appears that the choice will lie in the contractor’s and customer’s hands. For many, it comes down to time, money, and appearance. It is often the customer’s personal preference whether they want face screws or hidden fasteners used.

The key to the perfect deck is that you choose a high quality wood to start with. J. Gibson McIlvain Company supplies Grade A Ipe from South American rainforests; J. Gibson McIlvain also supplies quality Ipe alternatives including Cumaru and Jatoba. By going through a quality control process, J Gibson McIlvain’s premium decking lumber is the best choice when it comes to building your long lasting deck. So, whether you decide to face screw or hidden fasten your deck to secure it, ultimately, if you have only the best wood product, you will have only the best deck.

picking lumber j gibson mcilvainJ. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.

From the McIlvain Blog:

  • Ipe decking facing serious supply challenges
  • Warning: lumber grades alone won’t tell you how your boards will actually look
  • What factors determine how much my lumber order will cost?

Filed Under: Construction

Additional Articles

feq teak wooden boards
Teak Wood – A Wood Species Overview of Teak Lumber
air drying lumber
When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 3
forklift loading kiln at mcilvain
When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 2
freshly cut wooden boards stacked at lumber mill
When Buying Larger Size Lumber Is Actually Cheaper, Part 1
luxury home with backyard pool
Outdoor Additions: Planning for Your New Swimming Pool, Part 4
architectural plans for backyard swimming pool
Outdoor Additions: Planning for Your New Swimming Pool, Part 3

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

three × 5 =



Primary Sidebar

Quality wood products
Plywood options

Featured Articles

  • Genuine Mahogany vs. African Mahogany: What’s the Difference?
  • Why Teak Wood Has Been a Favorite Wood for Centuries
  • Plantation-Grown Fijian Mahogany: A Surprisingly Ideal Alternative to Genuine Mahogany
  • Ipe Decking: Should you use Face Screwed or Hidden Fasteners?
  • Plywood Core Issues – The Quality Behind Premium Plywood
  • Composite vs Hardwood Decking: Hardness & Fire Ratings
  • Excellent Tropical Hardwood Decking Species: 4 Options You’ll Adore
  • The Color of Quality Decks: Realizing the Beauty of Truly Green Building Products
  • The Color of Quality Decks: Addressing Natural Color Variation
  • How Extractives Impact the Color & Stain of Wood
Lyon Financial
Tropical decking

Popular Articles

  • Effects of Television on Teenagers
  • Evaluating Gym Air Quality: Why Chalk Is and Isn’t the Problem
  • Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • How the All-New X10 HUB Builds on Already-Amazing Technology
  • Part 1: Selling a Limousine Business 101
  • Benefits of a Salt Water Hot Tub
  • What You Need To Know Before Buying a Pool Waterslide
  • Swimming Pool Additions: All About Climbing Walls
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Nitrates & Nitrites
  • The Gymnast’s Diet: Why You Should Avoid Refined Flours and Sugars

Reader Feedback

  • Mitch Shearer on How the All-New X10 HUB Builds on Already-Amazing Technology
  • Alec Burns on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool
  • Welded Mesh on Modern Perforating Techniques Used by Metal Manufacturers & Fabricators
  • Tyler Johnson on Top 3 Pool Maintenance Tasks – and Suggestions on How To Do Them
  • Kate Hansen on Health Benefits of Having Your Own Backyard Swimming Pool

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