Hidden Fasteners vs Exposed Deck Screws: DIY Deck Construction
Compare hidden fasteners and exposed deck screws for your DIY deck construction. Learn the pros, cons, and best options for a sleek, sturdy finish.
Like every homeowner who wants to own a deck, you’re probably wondering if exposed deck screws offer the same neat and polished look that hidden fasteners offer.
One thing’s for sure: aesthetics plays an important role in the design and building of decks.
Though they seem like little details, deck fasteners are essential not just in deciding how your deck looks overall, but also how safe and durable your deck will be and the project's overall cost.
Hidden fasteners and deck screws each have their own pros and cons. We put together a thorough look at each kind of fastener to help you figure out which one best fits your property and your needs.
Deck Appearance
Your property's value increases if you have a beautiful deck. Not only that, it also provides a comfortable and relaxing space for your family.
Hidden Fasteners
Most homeowners who have decided to use hidden fasteners love the fact that they essentially disappear once installed.
From a short distance away, you cannot see the fasteners unless you're looking for them.
There are three types of hidden deck fasteners: clips, plugs, and color-matched screws. Each one is designed to give your deck a more seamless and visually appealing finish.
Deck Screws
Let’s get one thing straight: deck screws can provide the same clean and smooth look that hidden fasteners offer.
Your two best choices of deck fasteners are coated screws and stainless steel deck screws.
The advantage of coated screws is color matching. Simpson Strong-Tie’s coated deck screws come in tan and red colors, which are the popular colors of decks due to their natural wood-like appearance.
Simpson Strong-Tie’s coated deck fasteners feature a T25 6-lobe flat head with under-head nibs, making it easy to countersink and achieve a smooth, finished appearance.
If you decide on using coated screws, just be careful on how you install them. If you damage the coating, water and oxygen might get in, which leads to corrosion, and you don’t want those ugly rust stains on your deck.
From a decking specialist's standpoint, stainless steel deck screws are better than coated screws. These screws are great at resisting corrosion and rust. Your screws will maintain their appearance without unsightly rust stains.
For years, we’ve relied on Eagle Claw’s stainless steel deck screws. They offer deck fasteners that have countersunk heads that will sit flush on the deck's surface.
Stainless steel deck fasteners will maintain their clean, metallic look for years. The metallic finish of stainless steel fasteners matches well with many decking materials, including hardwoods and composite materials.
If you decide on using stainless steel deck screws, you can save money by buying the 304/305 grade. However, keep in mind that the 304/305 grade is only ideal for wet environments. If your property is close to coastal areas, it’s better to use the 316 grade stainless steel to ensure you won’t have to worry about rust stains for decades.
Deck Strength and Safety
You're building this deck for your loved ones, so having a sturdy, safe deck should be your top priority.
Hidden Fasteners
When used with appropriate decking materials—traditional wood, composite, or PVC decking—high-quality hidden fasteners made of coated or stainless steel are corrosion-resistant and can offer long-term durability.
Since they often do not require direct drilling into the board surface, hidden fasteners reduce the possibility for deck boards' splitting and breaking.
Hidden fasteners contribute to the lifespan of your deck by letting the boards expand and shrink naturally with temperature changes without putting undue stress.
Deck Screws
Deck screws go straight through the deck boards into the joists, creating a strong connection that helps prevent the boards from getting loose over time.
The direct fastening method makes sure that each board is firmly attached to the frame, improving the overall strength of the deck.
Hidden fasteners can give a neat and smooth appearance, but they may not hold as tightly or be as stable as deck screws. This is especially true over time when the deck experiences different weather conditions.
If you want a deck that can stay safe and strong for years, use stainless steel deck screws.
Stainless steel screws don't, making them ideal for outdoor structures like decks that face all kinds of weather, such as rain, snow, and heat.
Stainless steel screws work well with many types of decking materials, like treated wood, hardwoods, composite, and PVC. Some treated woods and synthetic materials can be especially corrosive to metals, but stainless steel screws are made to resist these conditions and won't deteriorate.
Overall Deck Fastener Costs
The cost of fasteners can add up quickly, especially when you're working on larger decks. Choosing the cheapest fasteners may seem like a good idea, but it can end up costing more later due to repairs, replacements, or accidents if those fasteners fail.
How Many Deck Fasteners Do You Need?
The number of hidden fasteners needed for decking can vary based on different things like how big the deck is, how far apart the joists are, and how wide the deck boards are.
Generally, a good guideline is that for standard deck fasteners, you would require around 350 deck screws for every 100 square feet of decking.
This estimate is based on regular boards that are 6 inches wide (but really measure 5-1/2 inches) and spaced 16 inches apart for the joists. If you’re using hidden fasteners and only one is needed for each joist, you can cut that number in half. So, you would need about 175 hidden fasteners for every 100 square feet of decking.
Hidden Fasteners Cost
For every square foot of decking, hidden decking fasteners typically cost between $0.30 and $1.00. However, this cost includes only the fasteners; it does not account for any additional installation equipment required for specific types of hidden fastener systems. The equipment needed can increase the total cost, making hidden fasteners generally more expensive than decking screws.
What’s The Verdict?
Choosing between hidden fasteners and deck screws depends on several factors.
It goes beyond aesthetics, strength, safety, and costs. Your skill level matters, too.
However, if you ask decking experts, deck screws are the clear winner. They strongly suggest using stainless steel screws. These decking screws have the durability and protection to handle harsh weather conditions, allowing you to cut down repair and replacement costs.