STOWAWAY INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 15
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS • STOWAWAY HIDDEN FASTENER
Fasteners
For ease of installation, our Stowaway fastener
fits into the groove on each side of the deck board
to eliminate pre-drilling and provide a fastener-free
deck surface. The deck boards require traditional
fasteners on the outside and inside edges of
the deck.
Step 1
Begin by fastening the outside edge of
the first board to the rim joist every 16". For this,
we recommend using 2-1/2" corrosion-resistant,
composite wood deck screws. These screws
help minimize the common “mushroom” effect
that sometimes occurs when using standard
fasteners. They can also reduce the amount of
pre-drilling and countersinking.
Note: If using ordinary coarse-thread deck
screws, always pre-drill a pilot hole and countersink
prior to driving screws. Screws should be driven
flush with the surface. Do not over-tighten. Use
one fastener per board every 16".
Step 2
For any decking where two boards meet
end-to-end over a joist, add additional blocking.
Always predrill a pilot hole when fastening within
1-1/2" of board ends, whether using composite
or wood screws. Do not over-tighten screws at
board ends.
Step 3
On the other side of the board, place a
Stowaway hidden fastener into the groove and cen-
ter on the joist (fig. 3). Install the preset screw at
a 90° angle through the Stowaway fastener and
drive flush. Do not over-tighten. The fastener wings
must remain level with the joist for the next board
to fit correctly (fig. 4).
Step 4
Install one Stowaway fastener at each
joist location. Slide the next board into place so
the wings on the previous fasteners fit into the
groove on the side of the board. Make sure the
side gap between the boards is 1/4".
Step 5
To keep the interior boards from moving
over time, we recommend pinning the boards at
the center of their length using a #8, 2" stainless
steel screw. This holds the deck board in place at
the center of each board and allows the decking
to expand/contract at the ends. Pre-drill in the
groove of the deck board with an 1/8" drill bit (fig.
5a). Drive screw into the groove so it’s flush with
the bottom of the groove (fig. 5b). This will allow
you to properly fit a Stowaway hidden fastener into
the groove.
Step 6
Install a Stowaway hidden fastener clip over
the screw and centered over the joist. Fasten using
preset screw at a 90° angle through the Stowaway
hidden fastener and drive flush with the clip (fig. 6).
The fastener wings must remain level with the joist
for the next board to fit correctly (fig. 4).
Warning.eps
Deck boards
If desired, the board profile
may be concealed with fascia
Fig.2.eps
Fig.1.eps
Joist
fig. 3
fig. 4
fig. 5a
fig. 5b
Page 2
fig. 6
