how many trex hidden fasteners do i need

How Many Trex Hidden Fasteners Do I Need?

When it comes to installing your Trex decking, you want to make sure you have all the necessary elements to make it a success. The Trex Hidden Fasteners are one of those crucial components. They are the key to achieving a flawless surface without visible screws. But how do you know how many you will need? In this article, we'll break it down for you.

What are Trex Hidden Fasteners?

First things first, let's get an understanding of what Trex Hidden Fasteners are. They are one of the two types of fasteners offered by Trex (the other being universal fasteners). Hidden fasteners are designed to be screwed into the side of the board, attaching it to the joist, instead of directly to the top, resulting in a clean, screwless surface.

Why use Hidden Fasteners?

Aside from the clear aesthetic advantage of using hidden fasteners, they are also less intrusive, causing less risk of tripping, and they tend to last longer. The risk of damaging the surface: whether caused by moisture, rusted screws, debris accumulation, or frequent expansion from heat and humidity, is greatly reduced or almost eliminated.

How to calculate how many you need:

Now, to the burning question - how many do you need? Let's look at the steps to follow when calculating how many Trex Hidden Fasteners you will need:

Step 1 - Measure the width of the deck:

Measure the width of the deck by taking a tape measure and measuring from one end to the other. Make sure to include any fascia or skirt board in your measurement. Once you have the width, divide it by the spacing between each joist.

Step 2 - Calculate the spacing:

The spacing between joists for Trex decking should be 16 inches on centre, so take the width you calculated in step one and divide it by 16. This will give you the number of joists you will have in your deck.

Step 3 - Determine how Many Fasteners per joist:

Trex Hidden Fasteners come in two different sizes, 50 sq ft coverage (90ct) and 500 sq ft coverage (900ct). Depending on which size Trex Hidden Fasteners you choose, you will need a different number of fasteners per joist.

If you are using the 50 sq ft coverage fasteners, you will need three fasteners per joist. If you are using the 500 sq ft coverage fasteners, you will need 31 fasteners per joist.

Step 4 - The Formula:

As a formula, calculating the number of Trex Hidden Fasteners you need is:

Width of Deck in inches ÷ 16 = Number of Joists

Number of Joists x Number of Fasteners per Joist = Total number of Fasteners needed.

An example:

To make things a bit clearer, let's say you have a 20ft by 10ft deck that requires Trex Hidden Fasteners. Here's an example of how you would calculate how many fasteners you'll need:

Step 1 - Measure the width of the deck:

From end-to-end, the deck is 240 inches wide.

Step 2 - Calculate the spacing:

240 inches ÷ 16 inches on centre = 15 joists

Step 3 - Determine how many fasteners you need for each joist:

If you choose the 50 sqft coverage fasteners, you'll need three fasteners per joist. If you choose the 500 sqft coverage fasteners, you'll need 31 fasteners per joist.

Step 4 - The Formula:

15 joists x 3 fasteners per joist = 45 total fasteners required for the 50 sq ft coverage.

15 joists x 31 fasteners per joist = 465 total fasteners required for the 500 sq ft coverage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, calculating how many Trex Hidden Fasteners you need can be quite simple if you follow the basic steps involved. Be sure to use the formula to determine how many fasteners you'll need for your deck to ensure an easy and efficient installation. By carefully considering the width of your deck, the spacing between joists, and the type of Trex Hidden Fasteners you prefer, you can have a seamlessly beautiful deck that can last for years.