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Planning the perfect outdoor space involves many details, such as all the accessories that come into play. Among these accessories are deck fastener options and anchors to ensure the safety of your deck. Here at Arga, we are big fans of the CAMO hidden fasteners and the Nami anchor system, as they have proven to be reliable and cost-effective, while allowing for a sleek and beautiful design. Here’s an overview of these two essentials of decking done right.
What Is the Best Way to Attach a Deck to a House?
In Canada, it’s not always mandatory to attach a deck to a house, but it’s often a much safer option. For decks over 24 inches above the ground, attaching them to the house is generally mandatory, but it’s always important to verify with local regulations.
Some decks are freestanding and don’t require attachment. There are also many methods of securing a deck to a house, such as bolting a ledger board or using a highly versatile system like Nami, which meets building code requirements.
Hybrid systems exist, combining attachment to the house with a partially freestanding deck structure. If you are unsure about the type of attachment you need for your deck or the standards in your area, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help.
The Nami anchor system, designed in Quebec, is always an excellent choice because it doesn’t require cutting into the building’s siding. The system works by attaching the deck to the house’s foundation in three simple steps. Since the joists don’t touch the house, the risk of water infiltration is greatly reduced. You can also keep the same anchor system if you change the deck in the future.
What Is the Best Hidden Deck Fastener System?
There are about half a dozen types of deck fastener systems on the market, each with pros and cons. In general, hidden deck fasteners are ideal for achieving a sleek design and quicker installation. No screws are visible, and depending on the system chosen, you can use materials like cedar wood, composite, and sometimes other options. Some systems allow you to remove one board at a time, making replacement or quick repairs much easier.
However, when it comes to cost-effectiveness, nothing beats the CAMO system, which is one of the best hidden fasteners for composite decking. These fasteners have been manufactured in the United States for over 60 years. Sturdy and durable, their price remains reasonable, at around $2 per square foot. CAMO hidden deck fasteners come with a generous warranty. Additionally, CAMO fasteners are great hidden deck fasteners for cedar.
When Not To Use Hidden Deck Fasteners
There are a few situations in which hidden deck fasteners aren’t the best choice. Make sure you consult an expert before starting to build, whether you plan to use hidden deck fasteners or not.
For example, some deck fasteners make replacing a board quite complicated, which can be challenging in certain situations. Also, deck fasteners generally require grooved boards. So if you were planning on reusing boards from another project for your deck, you may need to use visible screws. If you use recycled wood or any other non-grooved wood, you might still be able to use some hidden fasteners, such as CAMO.
Even though hidden deck fasteners are very sturdy, in some cases, you might need extra structural strength, which screws and nails can provide. It could be the case for a commercial deck with heavy foot traffic and equipment.
How To Use Hidden Deck Fasteners
Hidden deck fasteners all use slightly different systems to achieve a sleek, screw-free appearance. CAMO hidden fasteners have screws drilled into the board at a 45-degree angle, which is made easy with the CAMO Marksman, a tool specifically created for the product and usable with wooden boards.
You cannot use just any screws with deck fasteners, as they could damage the wood or be improperly installed. The brand has hardware to fit specific materials, whether you are using wood, composite or PVC. Using CAMO deck screws is also essential for warranty compliance.
Clip systems with integrated screws are used for grooved composite products.
Some other systems don’t use screws at all but are generally better suited for use with PVC and sometimes composite. Some hidden fasteners for wood require pneumatic installation.
For a Seamless Deck, Ask the Experts
Anchoring your deck and choosing the correct hidden deck fasteners are not afterthoughts. These steps are a crucial part of deck design! In most cases, we strongly recommend using CAMO hidden fasteners, which are affordable, durable, and more versatile and user-friendly than most other brands.
As for finding a way to anchor your deck to your house, a system like Nami is truly fantastic. It is extremely sturdy and allows you to change or modify your deck if needed while reducing the risk of water infiltration. For more details and tips for your deck project, don’t hesitate to ask our team of experts.