Composite Decking Clips and Fixings

When buying composite decking, you will need clips and fixings rather than screwing directly into the boards as you do with wood. Composite material is manufactured with plastic and wood fibres bonded together which provides more strength than timber material. Screwing and drilling directly into composite material is never advised as it weakens the board and can cause issues down the line due to moisture entering the holes. Instead, composite decking is fitted with plastic or metal clips that are screwed into joists below. Starter clips are utilised for bullnose boards and boards that are at the edge of your decking project, whereas hidden fasteners are used side to side of the rest of your decking board. 

Decking clips are reliable and weatherproof which means they will last for decades along with your boards. The benefit of using clips is that it will provide a more flush and clean aesthetic without the worry of screws poking out which can be an eyesore and even dangerous. The clips are hidden under the decking boards and hidden from the surface which is more aesthetically pleasing for when you are relaxing in your garden and hosting family and friends.

Metal clips are more readily available and stronger than plastic clips, however using plastic clips means if there is damage in the centre of the decking you can simply bring up one board from the middle to be fixed rather than having to take out all the adjacent boards to reach the one board. The way metal hidden fasteners are designed is such that the clip is screwed and then the board is slid into the groove of the clip meaning you would have to take up every board to reach the board you needed if damage was to occur. Clips can also come in different sizes to suit your individual project, whether you prefer the look of the boards closer together for a flush finish at 3mm or wider at 4- 6mm. A clip that leaves a wider gap of 4-6mm is sometimes preferred as it can be lifted the same as plastic clips as the gap is bigger meaning you can unscrew between the boards if necessary.

Starter Clips

Starter clips are necessary for your edge boards that are not connected to boards on both sides. Starter clips are in a hook ‘u’ shape that simply fits into the groove of the board to be screwed into the joist below. Joists form the subframe of your decking which provides it with its strength and can either be made of wood or composite. Starter clips can also be utilised to fit bullnose boards which have a rounded edge which is a finishing technique alternative to trims. They can be used to complete decking projects for areas such as the edge of decking, when creating steps or as a finishing touch.

Due to the rounded edge, starter clips can also be used as a finishing technique alternative to trims. Bullnose boards are usually around £15 and can be fitted with ease using screws, pre drilled, to avoid damage from expansion. It is important to note if you are fitting decking boards against a property or object to leave at least a 25mm gap to allow for thermal expansion. Additionally, the gap end to end of the board should be at least 6mm.

Hidden Fastener System

Hidden fasteners are necessary to connect your boards side to side without screwing into the board directly and allow for thermal expansion to avoid damage to your boards which will expand their lifespan. Thermal expansion will change the size and density of your decking boards, this due to the decking boards response to the change of temperature. Hidden fasteners come in plastic or metal and different sizes for the look and purpose you require for your project. 3mm clips are the slimmest clips available that are hidden when the boards are put together which provides a flush finish.

There are also clips available which leave a 4-6mm gap which means there is less likely to be damage due to thermal expansion and that it is easier to get one board out if necessary, in case damage occurs in the middle of your decking. Hidden fasteners range from £15 to £40, there are many available to choose from which is why it is important to shop around and read reviews.

Trims

Trims are an external finishing technique used to create a flush finish to make your decking look its best and cover edges you don’t want on display. Composite decking  boards have a grooved channel running along their side to ensure the clips can fit inside them, therefore you may want this covered once installed.

Trims are simply glued on which ensures it gives a clean finish and aesthetic without the need for screws or nails. Our recommendation is sumo grip glue which can be found from a number of retailers online. Use one glue for every 3 trims and clamp the trim down to ensure it is glued down securely and dried properly to avoid any chance of it coming away from the decking board.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many fixings and clips to choose from when adding composite decking to your outdoor space. The use of clips will provide a more flush finish than screwing or drilling into your decking boards. Remember that it is never recommended to screw directly into your composite decking as you can with wood material, as this will damage your boards structural integrity and cause issues down the line. Take a look on our accessories page to see all the accessories available on our website.

For maintenance tips and tricks, visit our blog below.

https://ultradecking.co.uk/how-to-clean-your-decking-boards/