Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Invisible deck fastening systems

Does anyone have any experience with any of these systems like deckmaster or one of the others. Is there one that is better than the others when it comes to installation/cost etc?

Thanks

clecompte,

Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Deck forum.

There are several systems, like DeckMaster, that allow the fasteners to be hidden. All of them work fine, and all of them will add to the cost of the deck. The drawback to most is that you have to have enough access UNDER the deck frame to install them. You don't always have that luxury! In that case, Simpson makes DBT1's. These are clips that you screw (or nail) to the edge of each deck board and slip it under the previous board. Then you toe-screw (or nail) the opposite edge of the board to the joist, etc. etc. The advantage is that everthing is done from above.

I have used the Tiger Claw system and it worked very nicely, a little slow at first but outstanding results

Not all fastening systems work equally on different materials. For example, see my post about Tigerclaw on Ipe.

I tried using the dek-clips. they fasten from the top. i used PT lumber and the clip gets screwed on one side and then the other side has a prong, the next board you have to hammer the board on the prong. I could never get the prong to go into the wood enough, but there is a special tool that will do that for you - for a pricey cost. I ended up using screws.