Building a Deck - Selecting the Right Clips, Nails, Screws

To ensure that your deck has a long-lasting, trouble-free life, it's important to use the right fixings to install the boards to the bases. There are many factors to choose the accessories needed, such as the prevailing climatic conditions, the environments, and the decking material used. As your deck will accompany you for a very long time, it's best not to compromise too much on the fixings, as the higher cost of better quality accossories will have a longer service life and better looking deck.

Normally, standard iron nails should not be used on exterior decking as they can rapidly corrode under different climatic conditions or close to humid environments. They will not only leave black stains around the nail holes, but also can eventually corrode the decking boards. Remember that people will walk on the boards frequently or jump or play games on them, so its important that decking boards are firmly fixed to the bearers with regular spaced gaps to keep the boards from moving. If you wish to use nails, then you should use a good quality galvanized nail, recommended for exterior decking.

Clips and screws are the best way to fasten the decking planks to the joists, and again you shouldn't use standard steel ones, but either stainless steel or good quality plated clips and screws. However there are many different kinds of clips and screws in the market and some of the cheaper products may look great in the packet when they're purchased but not so pretty after a few years of use. Some of the low-quality screws can cause corrosion and damage the boards. So it's very important to choose a good quality clips and screws and is specifically recommended to use on exterior decking.

For the best long term results, stainless steel clips and screws are always the best option. Although these accossories can be a little bit more expensive, the extra cost will be repaid in their long life using, their ongoing appearance and lack of blackening around screw holes will significantly proove it. Note also that the clips can be hidden under the boards, which will show the decking a good appearance after the installation. REBO bamboo decking boards will be matched with stainless steel clips and screws together as orders are placed. These kind of clips and screws are very suitable for bamboo decking, so do not need to worry about it.