The Ultimate UK Guide to Decking
Screws, Nails & Fasteners (2025)

Introduction

Choosing the right fastener is one of the most critical decisions for building a long-lasting, professional-looking deck. The method you use will affect your deck’s final appearance, its durability, and even how easy it is to make repairs in the future.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of nails, screws, and modern hidden fasteners to help you make the right choice for your project.

At a Glance: A Comparison of Decking Fasteners

Choosing the right way to fix your boards is just as important as choosing the boards themselves. To help you decide, here’s a quick comparison of the main fastening methods used for decking in the UK.

Products	Decking Nails	Screws (Face-Fixing)	Hidden Fasteners (Clips)
Primary Use	Structural Subframe & Traditional Timber Decking	Solid Composite Boards & TimberBoards	All Grooved Composite Decking
Aesthetics	Visible heads can look rustic	Visible heads; can be countersunk for a flush finish.	Completely invisible a seamless, modern finish.
Holding Power	Good (but can pop out over time as wood moves).	Excellent grip strength.	Excellent (securely locks the board in place).
Our Verdict	Essential for the frame, but not recommended for fixing deck boards.	A good option for solid boards but requires pre-drilling.	The best choice for all our compositedecking boards.

The Main Options: A Head-to-Head Comparison

For modern composite decking, the best practice is to use a hidden fastener system. However, its important to understand all the options.

Decking Nails
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Decking Screws & Hidden Fasteners

For fixing the in particular composite deck boards, you have two modern options: a hidden fastener system or screwing directly through the face of the board.

Method 1: Hidden Fasteners (The Recommended Choice)

The best practice for a professional finish is to use a hidden fastening system. These are clips (like our Ultra-Clip) that fit into the side groove of the decking board and are then screwed into the joist

• A Flawless Surface:

  There are no visible screw heads on your deck, providing a clean, high-end look

• Board Integrity:

  This method doesn’t puncture the top surface of the board, maintaining its protective layer.

• Easy Replacement:

  With certain plastic T-Clips, a single damaged board can often be replaced without ripping up the rest of the deck.

Method 2: Face-Screwing (For Solid Boards Only)

You should NEVER screw directly through the face of hollow composite decking boards. This will compromise their internal structure and can lead to the board cracking or splitting over time.
If you choose to screw directly through the face of a solid composite board, you must use specialist composite decking screws. These are designed to prevent damage and typically feature:

• A Type 17 drill point to prevent splitting.
• A coarse thread for a stronger grip.
• A reverse upper thread to prevent “mushrooming” (where material pushes up around the screw head).
• A concave head to ensure a perfectly flush finish.

A Practical Guide to Repairs & Problem Solving

Even with the best installation, you may one day need to make a repair. Here’s how to tackle the most common issues.

How to Remove a Stripped or Damaged Screw (wooden decking)

If a screw head becomes damaged, making it impossible to remove with a drill, here are three methods to try:

• Use Locking Pliers:

  If the screw head is raised even slightly, firmly grip it with a pair of locking pliers or vice grips and slowly turn counter-clockwise to back the screw out.

• The Rubber Band Trick:

  Place a thick rubber band over the stripped screw head. Press your drill bit firmly into the rubber band and drill slowly in reverse. The rubber can often fill the gaps and give the bit the extra grip it needs to remove the screw.

• Use a Screw Extractor:

  A screw extractor set is a specialist tool designed for this job. One end drills a new hole into the damaged screw head, and the other end has a reverse thread that bites into that new hole to pull the screw out.

How to Remove a Board with Hidden Fasteners

The method depends on the type of clip used.

• For Decks with Plastic T-Clips

  : In many cases, the screw head is accessible in the gap between the boards. You can use a drill with a long bit to reverse the screws on both sides of the board and simply lift it out.

• For Decks with Slim Metal Fasteners:

  With these clips, the screw is often hidden under the next board. The most common professional method is to carefully cut the damaged board out. Set your circular saw blade to the exact thickness of your decking board to avoid cutting the joist. Make two parallel cuts down the length of the board, remove the centrepiece with a pry bar, and then remove the two remaining edge pieces from the clips.

Conclusion

Choosing the right decking for your new project is important, but don’t skip choosing the right fastening system, as this plays a critical role in the deck’s lifespan and overall appearance. For the best visual and long-lasting performance, our recommendation will always be to use hidden fasteners with any composite decking board.