fasteners for ipe decking

[stayalert]

going to be having an ipe deck built and I am tasked with selecting the fasteners. Not going hidden. Are all stainless fasteners more or less the same? Or is the stuff purchased at the big box stores lower quality? I recall from my boat building experiences that there is a spectrum of quality. My wife and I will be doing most of the fastening of the 4" Ipe decking to the PT framing.

I've had good results with star drive fasteners on other projects and am considering them for this application as well.

We will be pre-drilling/countersinking

Is "316" Better" than "305" what are yer (I said yer not her) opinions about small head vs. standard head? popcorn

Rob "stayalert" M
Norwich, VT

 

[sparkplug]

I have used these and they have worked great for many outdoor projects.

http://www.starbornindustries.com/headcote

 

[se2000]

Is this a cost issue? Maintenance? That helps determine the fastener. Were you planning on filling the heads

I almost went ipe and I was going to use the plastic biscuits as they seem best for the NE ans winter. Those screw heads could be hot spots on sensitive feet. But I ended going with an aluminum deck with a woodgrain finish as I liked the waterproof deck keeping the underneath dry. And the cost was comparable.

 

[titanpat57]

I like the Deckmaster system as long as you have access under it. I wouldn't spend the money for that product and surface screw it.

You may have to predrill with the supplied fasteners, and be sure to use the SS strips.

My other recommendation is to stain all sides AND end cuts before they are screwed down ( even after a board is cut, seal the end)

Remember, with the strips, both sides of the joints need to be supported with the strips and screws. You can avoid this by doing a 45 degree lap joint, the only thing ive done in the past is to predrill and finish nail, but I always apply a liberal amount of PL Polyurethane construction adhesive to the joint and under both sides. Once the glue sets the nails are moot.

 

[Frankencruiser]

IPE is hard enough that a small head won't have any issues pulling into the wood. Look for a torx or square drive as even pre drilled a phillips head will have issues stripping going into ipe. As for whether to use 305 stainless or 316 a well made example of either will be better than a cheaply made example of the other. Try to find a lumberyard or builders supply company as home depot, lowes, ect always carries the cheapest quality.