Yet another deck fastener idea.....

[froglips]

Ok, so, for no reason, I got an idea.

If you were to do what I call "blind wedged dowels", could you eliminate the need for visible fasteners in a deck?

Bore a sloppy hole in the underside of the deck boards.

Bore a similiarly sloppy hole in the top edge of the joists.

Cut a kerf in both ends of a dowel.

Drive some wedges in each kerf, then glue and drive them home.

Am I crazy ( more than usual)?

Jim

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

If you're going to glue them then you don't need the kerfs and wedges. I was going to use Tiger Claws on my wraparound Ipe porch, but they didn't have the stainless steel TC-4 version for hardwood decks on the market yet.

 

[DaveO]

Jim there are so many other method of hidden fastening a deck, that wouldn't take such accuracy and time. I particularly like the system that uses a biscuit jointer and plates that are screwed to the joist between the boards, that fit into the biscuit jointer slots. That allows for easy removal, if needed later on.
Dave

 

[NCPete]

I like the method DaveO suggested, when I rebuild my deck (torn off years ago to fix termite damage to the rim joist and other framing) I will use that method, which seems to reduce potential for water damage to the top deck, also fewer splinters, too. not rich enough for composite or Ipe yet....