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Frequently Asked Questions

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A: Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners use the highest quality stainless steel. Salt water environments, seasonal changes, and extreme cold are no problem for the Trex Hideaway hidden fastener. Snow removal is made easier with the absence of emerging fasteners on the surface. The tabs, of the fastener that hold the deck boards down have more than twice the horizontal surface area than decking screws. Excellent hold down strength is one of the Trex Hideaway hidden fastener's strongest attributes.

A: No — The fasteners are constructed of high quality Stainless Steel. This material will ensure a long life even in harsh environments.

A: Any dealer that carries Trex Decking has the ability to sell Trex Hideaway hidden deck fasteners.

A: Trex has designed a start/stop clip for use with its grooved deck boards. These stainless fasteners allow for a nail free surface from start to finish, and are available at most Dealer locations.

A: The Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners are made from .060 stainless steel. A black oxide coating is applied to reduce the shine; this helps hide the fastener in the shadow of the joists.

A: Every container of Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners includes the stainless steel screws needed for installation.

A: To find the approximate number of fasteners needed for your deck simply multiply the number of decking boards times the number of support joists. Divide by 90 to get the number of boxes then round up to the next even pack.

A: The design of the Trex Hideaway hidden fastener allows for the post to be installed prior to installing decking. When notching deck boards around post, it will be helpful to back cut when notching to ensure a tight fit around rail posts.

A: Where deck is in the walled corner of the house, always start with small triangular piece of decking in that corner and work your way out. This will make it easy to install your decking evenly against the house. When installing the Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners into the deck board, offset the fastener screw hole 1/2" towards the long point of joist, so the screw will not exit side of joist when driven.

A: First, install a small framing board (10 – 12 inches) along side the joist at which the seam is going to land. Line your first board up with the seam of the joist and the small framing board. Install fasteners and screws at each joist of the first board including the joist at the seam. Then install your second board in the same fashion, and place a second fastener at the seam attaching it to the small framing block.

Make two parallel cuts down the center of the board to be replaced, and remove the center piece.
Remove the remaining pieces of decking from the tabs.
Using a claw hammer bend the tab, on the side of the board with the screw heads showing, downward so that it does not interfere with the spacer tab.
Position new board into place, and carefully slide onto remaining tabs, once fully installed the deck board will drop into position.
Once board is set into position, secure using a 1/8^th inch drill bit, place the bit into the seam of the board and into the groove, and predrill a pilot hole through the board at a 45° angle.
Install a stainless steel finish screw through groove into joist to hold the board in place.

A: The Trex Hideaway hidden fastener has only one 1 5/8^th " screw to drive in and auto spaces the deck boards. Compared to traditional installation where two 2 ½" screws and a spacer tool are needed, Trex decking can be installed faster than traditional face screws.

A: Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners have a black oxide coating. This black coating helps the fastener hide in the shadow of the joists, and makes the fastener virtually invisible.

A: Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners are designed to attach to the inside of the custom groove on the edge of Trex grooved deck boards. The fastener design securely attaches decking boards by holding the edge of the decking board. The fastener is then attached to the support with decking screw provided in each box. This design makes Trex Hideaway hidden fasteners easy and quick to install when compared to other hidden fastener systems.

A: Yes — But you will need to make router grooves on the edge of the deck board above each joist. This can be done quick and easy using the TREX router bit specifically designed for use with the Trex Hideaway hidden fastener.

A: No special tools are required when using Trex grooved edge deck boards, just a drill with screw drive bit and a standard framing hammer. When using Trex decking without the grooved edge, a router bit will be needed to create a groove at each joist.

A: The Trex Hideaway hidden fastener will automatically create a 1/4" space between each decking board.

For Trex Accents®, Trex Brasilia®:

On the end of a test sample, measure and make a reference mark 1/2" from the bottom of the board.
With the bit in the router, measure 1/2" from the router base to the center of the flute. Tighten bit. Check with router manufacturer for proper bit placement into collet.
Make a test pass on the sample with the face of the board down. Observe the reference mark and the center of the router bit path. Adjust the height of the router until the center of the groove is aligned with the reference mark. Note: the groove will be offset towards the back of the board.

For Trex Contours®:

On the end of a test sample, measure and make a reference mark 1/2" from the bottom of the board.
With the bit in the router, measure slightly greater than 9/16" from the router base to the center of the flute. Tighten bit. Check with router manufacturer for proper bit placement into collet.
Make a test pass on the sample with the face of the board up. Observe the reference mark and the center of the router bit path. Adjust the height of the router until the center of the groove is aligned with the reference mark. Note: the groove will be offset towards the back of the board when Contours is routed.