Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 02, 2003 08:10pm | #1

   I would frist recommend that you review the product installation instructions from Trex. My concern would be that it has different properties than wood and so the underscrew methods might be less effective or require a special screw for the threads to grab enough displacement to hold it down. Same with trimhead screws - they can pull through easier. Their are companies with special screws for Trex and there are other companies (Timbertex comes to mind) that make composite decking desingned for hidden fastener installations.

   If they are going with Trex and want hidden fasteners, it is because they want a good looking deck and not to save money so it should be easy enough to sell them a better deck than Trex and avoid you absorbing the risk of untried methods.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   agent101 | Mar 03, 2003 06:27am | #3

   http://www.CORRECTDECK.com might be something to check out. They offer a maintenence free decking that has a fastener free surface. All work done from the topside of the deck. I believe it is called the Signature Series.

2. 
   agent101 | Mar 03, 2003 06:22am | #2

   Go to http://www.EBTY.com, http://www.SWANSECURE for info on top side installation of hidden fasteners.

1. 
   dongarrison | Mar 03, 2003 05:00pm | #4

   Thanx for the tips , it looks like I need to do some more checking on this.

1. 
   dualpurpose | Mar 05, 2003 04:06am | #5

   I have used many of the hidden fastner systems and keep going back the eb-tys on hardwood and trex decks.  One thing I have found is the eb-ty makes the deck feel soft kind of cushiony ,customer who like to go barefeet like the feel.

1. 
   dongarrison | Mar 05, 2003 08:37am | #6

   I like what I am reading on EB-Ty so far. You have used this product with trex? Did you use construction adhesive also? Bisquit joiner or router? I want to do a good job for these folks and this looks like the ticket.

     Thanks  Don

1. 
   dualpurpose | Mar 06, 2003 04:22am | #9

   I have done about ten decks with eb-ty, I had the system recommended by the trex people at jlc a couple of years ago.  I use a buscuit jointer, It was explained to me by trex rep.  that eb-ty allows material to float and the smaller gap is ok,  I installed three decks fin 1999 in area with winters in the teens and summers with highs over 100.  The customers are friends and I see the decks often during the year with nothing but great satisfaction.  

   any questions check with the trex rep in your area, I have found them to very helpful.

   one note do not use red caulk, one of my guys did and we spent hours sanding after washing with cleaner to get off.

2. 
   dongarrison | Mar 06, 2003 04:54pm | #10

   Thanks for getting back again!

    Did you use any adhesive under the trex? What was the red caulk used for?

    Your climate sounds like mine.

     Don

3. 
   jonblakemore | Mar 07, 2003 06:45am | #11

   He means red chalk.  And he's right.  Don't ask me how I know.

   Jon Blakemore

4. 
   dongarrison | Mar 07, 2003 04:25pm | #12

   Oh yeah! I know that stuff is a bear to get off , I only use the blue.

    I go the manuf recommended installation on EB TY so am good to go. Thanks all for your input.

   Don

5. 
   dongarrison | Apr 01, 2003 03:09pm | #15

   Hey I am back to the hidden fastner on a trex deck (EB-TY) . My local rep says that if I use any adhesive it will invalidate the warranty on the deck. Do you use an adhesive of any kind? What about silicone (dark color?). I really hate the thought of using the under screw system but am also afraid of doing something that will put my neck way out there.

   Thanks  Don 

   Edited 4/1/2003 8:10:33 AM ET by Don

6. 
   dualpurpose | Apr 01, 2003 07:41pm | #16

   We do not use adhesive with eb-tys Our understanding of the system is that it is suppose to float, trex will move with temperature change.  we make sure that the framing for the deck is ridged so the decking does not need to be used to stiffen the deck

7. 
   dongarrison | Apr 02, 2003 03:53am | #17

   ok;

   Now that makes sense. EB-TY states in their brochure that you should use construction adhesive but that would take away from the trex's movement...thus voiding the warranty. Thanks for your help and I will let you know how it goes!

   Don    Garrison Construction.

8. 
   dongarrison | Apr 03, 2003 03:14pm | #18

   I do appreciate your feedback on this project , one more question - how do you attach the ends of the boards together? I read instructions , but it does not seem clear to me.

   Thanks , Don 

9. 
   agent101 | Apr 04, 2003 05:30am | #19

   DON,

   WHEN JOINING THE ENDS OF THE DECKING, CUT OFF THE THE SPACING RIDGE OF AN EB-TY, AND INSTALL LIKE A CONVENTIONAL BISQUIT. TO ANSWER YOUR CONCERN WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ADHEHESIVE, THE ADHESIVE IS NOT ONLY  ADDED ADHESION, BUT, TAKES UP ANY VOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH FRAMING LUMBER. ONE THING TO REMEMBER, WITH THE PLATE JOINER OR ROUTER KERF, THE SURFACE OF THE DECKING REMAINS FLUSH, ALL INCONSISTANCES AND VOIDS ARE UNDER THE DECKING, MAINTAINING A SMOOTH EVEN SURFACE. 

10. 
    dongarrison | Apr 04, 2003 05:57pm | #20

    Good enuff for me!

    thnx   Don

3. 
   vasalesman | Mar 05, 2003 04:18pm | #7

   Trex and Eb-Ty do not mix!  Trex requires a minimum of 1/4" edge to edge gapping and recommends 3/8" in cold weather regions.  Eb-Ty only gives about 1/8".  If there are ANY problems from Trex, they usually start with inadequate drainage between the boards.  In the event of a problem, they will kick it back as improper installation, correctly so.  Most of the blind systems that install from the top will cause this situation as well.  The ones that install from the bottom show up between the board gaps, assuming you've properly gaped them.  Trex suggest running screws below the surface and tap the mushroom down with a hammer.  Longer term, I believe those mushrooms become more and more noticeable.  I think a much better approach is to use TrapEase screws by Fastenmaster.  They do not create mushrooms and have good color coordination to the Trex line of decking.

   Al 

1. 
   dongarrison | Mar 05, 2003 05:53pm | #8

    It always pays to go slow on this stuff. Being that this is an existing deck where the cedar has to be torn off then trex ( or some other composite) has to be installed back on top --there by causing the surface of the joists to be bunged up I think I will gracefully bow out. ( they have already balked at an earlier estimate). I'd much rather frame out a new deck and have some control over how level and square it is.

   Thanks to all you guys for your help!

   Don  ---Garrison Construcion  

2. 
   agent101 | Mar 09, 2003 05:35am | #13

   EB-TY offers a 1/4" spacer. The 1/4" EB-TY follows the same installation as the original EB-TY, except , wider spacing. Contact http://www.EBTY.com or http://www.Swansecure.com for more info.

1. 
   vasalesman | Mar 10, 2003 01:53pm | #14

   Good to know, tks.

   Al