Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Trex miter and fastener questions

Questions:

1) I'm building a 8x9 deck using trex saddle color. The owner wants it 'picture framed' with the darker brown trex, so I plan on mitering the ends and glue them with West Systems epoxy. I'm trying to figure out how to clamp the frame - has anyone used pocket screws in trex? I thought that would be a good way to clamp the trex together until the epoxy sets. Any other suggestions?

2) I am also looking for ways to fasten the deck. I've already built a small 8x6 deck using the Tigerclaw TC3 and do not want to use them again. Trex's other recommended faster, the Fastenmaster IQ raises the boards up 1/4" from the joists, which I don't want. Another 'flip' type option is the Aphano but can't find any feedback on them. I like the idea of a biscuit-type fastener, but don't want to glue the boards like Eb-Ty recommends. Has anybody had any experience with other slot-type fasteners (IPE Clip, Lumberloc, Deck Clip)? How about the Aphano?

Thanks in advance!

Jan

Jan: have you considered the composite deck screws? They have multiple pitched threads, use a #2 square drive, pull up tight and countersink without mushrooming.

jhcrowman,

Don't glue or epoxy ANY pieces of Trex to another piece. The Trex needs to be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature. You HAVE to follow Trex's instructions about gapping, both at the edge of the boards and at the ends.

Fasten Master has a system out for attaching the deck boards from underneath. Like all hidden fastener systems, it is labor intensive and a bit on the pricey side. (That's why a contractor has to charge an extra $2/sq.ft. or so to use blind fasteners.)

Personally, I use Trap Ease screws on about 85 to 90% of the decks that I build. The Brown screws will match the Saddle almost perfectly and really aren't that noticeable. They are set flush with the deck board, and they don't mushroom.

Lefty - thanks for the reply.
Is the Fastenmaster hidden connector the IQ fastener? Even though if raises the trex 1/4" above the joists, I'm starting to think that may be the best solution.
So no glue on the miter - how are the framed decks constructed that are all over the Trex brochures? It looks like the joints are butted tight. I asked the question of Trex customer support and all I got back was quotes from what was on their web site, so nothing new learned from them.
Thanks!
Jan

jhcrowman,

DON'T be fooled by the pictures in the brochures! Camera angles will hide the fact that there is about 1/16" to 1/8" gap at the butt joints of the deck boards, (And, fooled by pictures -- that big old cantilevered Trex deck on the ocean front only exists on somebody's computer -- it could never pass the engineering to actually build it.)

Gosh I love that deck. Just like the easter bunny and Santa Clause it was too good to be true.

Over time I have installed three decks on my house. The first two were Evergrain (which I love) with screws. On the last one I decided to use Evergrain with a hidden fastener. What a difference! My wife absolutely loves the look. :) I would never install a deck with screws again. I decided to try the Aphano's because they looked easy to install. It took a couple of boards to get used to them but after that they were a piece of cake. What I like best is that you cannot see them. I have seen decks with Tigerclaw and ebty's and still you see little black dots all down the deck. These are really hard to see even when you try. I have had them on for almost two years and I would never use anything else for a composite deck. But I don't plan on building another deck anyway. Hope this helps.