Hey! The gap between boards allows for a couple of things. One of the reasons allows water to escape off the deck so it doesn’t just sit on top of the deck creating a slipping hazard. Reason number two is for expansion purposes. Trex, like vinyl will expand and contract in different temperatures, keeping a gap allows it to freely expand or contract without issue. While you can install without a gap, you won’t be able to use the fasteners used in this video, you’ll have to use the traditional method of screwing deck boards down through the face of the board itself. However this is not recommended.
Did you have any problems with the size of your boards? I had 34 boards of the Rocky Harbor. My deck framing was measured exactly for that many boards. I ended up 1.25 inches short. I measured again afterwards and the framing was perfect. I measured some of the boards and they were about a 1/16 of an inch smaller than 1.5 inches. This added up over time and caused me to have a big gap by the house. A 1.5 inch gap is really hard to fill with a small piece. The spacers themselves seemed to be fine. It was the boards themselves.
Most ppl "picture frame" the edges of the deck or put up a fascia board that would cover it. I'm just gonna leave it as is though. I don't mind the grooves showing and once I cut the ends, it'll look a little nicer.
@@windsordiy1198 yep - usually use fascia board for the pic frame but it is about 1/2" thinner than the deck boards so you need to use something like those rectangular plastic shims to raise the pic frame up to the level of the boards.
The strip beneath is called joist & beam tape. It's there to prolong the life of the joist because it'll prevent water and debris from rotting it out. It is not required but since I had some extra laying around I decided to slap it on.
Nice vid, never used these clips before so came to check. Not suppose to use that joist skin on pvc products though. Causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the plastic. Even says it on the package.
@@superflyguy218 What do you think the other product they use (besides wood or aluminum) would be in composite? Ya that would be pvc lol it’s a wood and PVC composition with a pvc cape to keep it from expanding and give it a finished look.
Is it just that brand of joist tape (Grace Ice and Water) or all joist tapes in general? I know Trex makes a joist tape and they actually recommend putting it on the joists, even when using these fasteners.
@@windsordiy1198 all the ones I’ve seen are butimen base, same with blue skin products. You want to avoid that one. If trex has one specifically designed, then I’d say they’re good for pvc products. Didn’t know trex had a product
tufdek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Bulletin-PVCandBitumen_compressed.pdf Here’s a good PDF about what happens when gasoline products touch/ stay in contact with pvc
If your impact don't snap those screws then something is wrong with it. Seriously, the hidden fasteners hold well but the screws snap easy. DO NOT use an impact on them. I snug them with my drill on low setting then give it a 1/4 hand twist.
It's technically a flashing tape but it's very similar to a joist tape. I didn't have enough tape to do all of my joists but it helps prevent the wood from rotting out.
That's what I'm wondering. If the joists are not perfectly the same height even across the deck, then it would seem that it would be more difficult to place the trex board in place. Hopefully that makes sense. What I've done and it's worked well is to screw a thinner screw into the grooves themselves at an angle into the joist without the clip. Followed by a top screw minimum number needed spaced periodically. That has worked well to compensate for the expansion and contraction of the joists. Especially if using pressure treated joists.
trex makes a holder tool for installing the fasteners, it works great & sets them square and plume and has a grip for pulling decking
boards togather
What is the pirpose of the gap between boards? Can we close it?Or any solution?
Hey! The gap between boards allows for a couple of things. One of the reasons allows water to escape off the deck so it doesn’t just sit on top of the deck creating a slipping hazard. Reason number two is for expansion purposes. Trex, like vinyl will expand and contract in different temperatures, keeping a gap allows it to freely expand or contract without issue. While you can install without a gap, you won’t be able to use the fasteners used in this video, you’ll have to use the traditional method of screwing deck boards down through the face of the board itself. However this is not recommended.
3rd reason: airflow under the deck.
Did you have any problems with the size of your boards? I had 34 boards of the Rocky Harbor. My deck framing was measured exactly for that many boards. I ended up 1.25 inches short. I measured again afterwards and the framing was perfect. I measured some of the boards and they were about a 1/16 of an inch smaller than 1.5 inches. This added up over time and caused me to have a big gap by the house. A 1.5 inch gap is really hard to fill with a small piece. The spacers themselves seemed to be fine. It was the boards themselves.
Very clear explanation, quick and to the point..got it!...thanks a bunch for uploading this video..
What did you use for the joist tape and where to buy in Ontario?
Thanks for the vid! Not sure why all the dumb questions here. Hopefully mine is more intelligent -> how did you do the last row against the house?
I screwed deck screws onto the face of the board. Those are the only boards where I didn't use the hidden fasteners on both sides.
Trex does make a router bit if you want to add a groove to a board that doesn't have one. I didn't use it, but it's an option.
Are t-clip fasteners a standard size?
What size screws do you use?
I have a problem. My first deck board at the edge is coming loose, how do I stop the first one which is furthest from the wall to stay in place.
There are fastening systems that face screw and have matching plugs, nearly invisible.
for calculation purposes, what is the gap left by the Trex fastener?
3/16" i believe.
They also make a tool called a camo to do this. There's one for $20 & they make one for $178.
This is not as easy as it seems. The spacers are hard to insert and the boards are never straight.
Gave up on these clips and went to Camo Edge Clips. A bit more expensive, but they install much quicker and are more durable.
I haven't personally used the camo system yet but I've seen a lot of videos recently with people using it. It's becoming more popular that's for sure
Also can you go back and tighten the screws?
Yes sorry I did not mention that but definitely go back and tighten the screws down once you've go the board installed
@@windsordiy1198 thanks alot
I have leadvision system. There's 4 different clips for different spots. Can't make heads or tails of it
Gotta do something about that wind. Otherwise simple info.
How is the end of the decking capped off from that ugly finish?
Most ppl "picture frame" the edges of the deck or put up a fascia board that would cover it. I'm just gonna leave it as is though. I don't mind the grooves showing and once I cut the ends, it'll look a little nicer.
Picture frame it, which also allows you to hide all the imperfections of the frame.
Called a cap board, not ‘picture frame’. 🤣
@@chriscroush it is two different things, cap and picture frame.
@@windsordiy1198 yep - usually use fascia board for the pic frame but it is about 1/2" thinner than the deck boards so you need to use something like those rectangular plastic shims to raise the pic frame up to the level of the boards.
Never trust a guy wearing surgical gloves, new hammer, new tape, and new impact to tell you how to build whatever you’re doing
Guys a wanker
😂
Lolol
The only thing he’s missing is ear plugs!
@@brettmiller5367nah earplugs are good, also keeps you from having to answer the phone when your boss or lady calls
Yes whats the strip on joist ?
The strip beneath is called joist & beam tape. It's there to prolong the life of the joist because it'll prevent water and debris from rotting it out. It is not required but since I had some extra laying around I decided to slap it on.
@@windsordiy1198 thanks for informing
Nice vid, never used these clips before so came to check.
Not suppose to use that joist skin on pvc products though. Causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the plastic.
Even says it on the package.
Good thing trex is a composite and not a pvc
@@superflyguy218 What do you think the other product they use (besides wood or aluminum) would be in composite? Ya that would be pvc lol it’s a wood and PVC composition with a pvc cape to keep it from expanding and give it a finished look.
Is it just that brand of joist tape (Grace Ice and Water) or all joist tapes in general? I know Trex makes a joist tape and they actually recommend putting it on the joists, even when using these fasteners.
@@windsordiy1198 all the ones I’ve seen are butimen base, same with blue skin products. You want to avoid that one.
If trex has one specifically designed, then I’d say they’re good for pvc products. Didn’t know trex had a product
tufdek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Bulletin-PVCandBitumen_compressed.pdf
Here’s a good PDF about what happens when gasoline products touch/ stay in contact with pvc
If your impact don't snap those screws then something is wrong with it. Seriously, the hidden fasteners hold well but the screws snap easy. DO NOT use an impact on them. I snug them with my drill on low setting then give it a 1/4 hand twist.
Don't need impact driver, just drill with the Torx bit. Impact drivers will deform the fastener and will waste the fasteners.
Regular drills will mess the screws up. Impact drivers are meant for screwing any screw. Not sure what universe you’re from.
they make impact drivers that don't over drive , be easy with them check makita brand they have ones stronger then others
That spacing sucks! My shoe heel could get caught in that space!
Don’t wear high heels then
Who in the Hell wears latex gloves doing carpenter work ? Those first two boards were not even, surely Im not the only one that saw that......
None of them are even...you go back and use a straight cut on them
Someone with recognizable prison tattoos on his hands.
What have you laid on top of the joists and under the decking?
It's technically a flashing tape but it's very similar to a joist tape. I didn't have enough tape to do all of my joists but it helps prevent the wood from rotting out.
What is the distance between your two joists
The joists are about 16 inches (on center) apart. That's the maximum spacing recommended by Trex
Trex recommends not being over 16 bc trex is really flemsy
Thanks. I got 24 in. on my old deck, have to add one joist between each two.
What’s with the gloves lol
Most important part you hide (accidentally) with your hand...what's the meaning of video
I knew he was trouble when I saw the dewalt drill
These are great until the trex board starts to warp. They’ll start pulling back and eventually come undone.
That's what I'm wondering. If the joists are not perfectly the same height even across the deck, then it would seem that it would be more difficult to place the trex board in place. Hopefully that makes sense. What I've done and it's worked well is to screw a thinner screw into the grooves themselves at an angle into the joist without the clip. Followed by a top screw minimum number needed spaced periodically. That has worked well to compensate for the expansion and contraction of the joists. Especially if using pressure treated joists.
@@dl1130 great great tip. I’m actually redoing my deck and pulled them all apart. I will try that!
Poor audio, not a professional installation; ends exposed is a mistake
One other tool.knee pads for my old man body
Putting in screws suck. Use the clips
Why are you wearing gloves?
Yeet
And the head of the cheap ass screw breaks right off 😁