Apply DeckWise® JoistTape™ or a bead of exterior adhesive to each joist approximately 3/8 " in width. For adhesives, you may want to do this as you go so, that, it does not dry before completion if you have a larger area to install. While adhesive adds hold-down strength to the boards, it does not prevent wood rot. JoistTape™ prevents joist wood rot as well as seals around deck screws.Even though joists may seem even, changes in weather can cause board movement. Both JoistTape™ and/or adhesive will also help prevent squeaking from uneven joists in the future.
Use a 1/8 " drill bit to pre-drill a pilot hole for the initial face- driven screws. Drill deep enough to penetrate the deck board and NOT the underlying joist material. (All Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fastener systems, 175 count and above, include a 1/8 " High Speed Drill Bit. We suggest using the 3-in-1 DeckWise® Drill & Drive™ (not included in Ipe Clip® Fastener kits), which has a 1/8 " drill bit, 3/8 " countersink bit, and screw gun T15 tip that will help speed up this process.)
Use a 3/8 " countersink bit to bore a hole approximately 1/4 " to 3/8 " deep (depending on your deck board thickness) for each screw to be hidden by a hardwood plug. Be sure your countersink bit is sharp and leaves a clean edge.
Next, securely drive a deck screw down into the countersunk hole into the joist below. (All Ipe Clip® fastener kits, 175 count and above, have extra stainless steel deck screws included in them for starter boards.) Wood plugs will next be installed into the holes to hide the deck screws and create a smooth, blemish free surface.
Place a dab of wood glue (Gorilla Glue® is suggested) into the countersink hole from the above steps. This will secure the wood plug from popping up in the future. Plus, it will act as a moisture barrier, sealing the countersunk hole and screw.
Insert a 3/8 " tapered (or Extreme ribbed) Hardwood Plug and tap it down with a hammer so it fits snug into the hole. Wipe away any excess glue that may squeeze out. NOTE: We always encourage finding the wood grain in the plug and aligning it with the deck board grain. This will help ensure the plug is hidden as much as possible.
Once the plug is hammered in and the glue is dry, remove any excess plug material protruding above the surface of the deck board. You can accomplish this by using a flush cut pull saw, belt sander or an orbital sander with 80 grit sand paper.
Sand smooth all areas where a plug was installed so that plug is flush with deck surface. A round, random orbit sander with 80-120 grit sand paper works best. When sanding is finished, we suggest using Ipe Oil® for a beautiful natural wood color on your entire deck
Use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32 " X 1/2 " slot cutting bit) to cut a slot in the edge of deck board above each joist. You will want to center this groove in the board so there is a symmetrical profile for best results using the Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners by DeckWise® .
NOTE: pre-grooved deck boards are now available from many decking suppliers. If you are using pre-grooved decking, skip this step and proceed to step 10.
Apply DeckWise® JoistTape™ or a bead of exterior adhesive to each joist approximately 3/8 " in width. For adhesives, you may want to do this as you go so, that, it does not dry before completion if you have a larger area to install. While adhesive adds hold-down strength to the boards, it does not prevent wood rot. JoistTape™ prevents joist wood rot as well as seals around deck screws.Even though joists may seem even, changes in weather can cause board movement. Both JoistTape™ and/or adhesive will also help prevent squeaking from uneven joists in the future.
Use a 1/8 " drill bit to pre-drill a pilot hole for the initial face- driven screws. Drill deep enough to penetrate the deck board and NOT the underlying joist material. (All Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fastener systems, 175 count and above, include a 1/8 " High Speed Drill Bit. We suggest using the 3-in-1 DeckWise® Drill & Drive™ (not included in Ipe Clip® Fastener kits), which has a 1/8 " drill bit, 3/8 " countersink bit, and screw gun T15 tip that will help speed up this process.)
Use a 3/8 " countersink bit to bore a hole approximately 1/4 " to 3/8 " deep (depending on your deck board thickness) for each screw to be hidden by a hardwood plug. Be sure your countersink bit is sharp and leaves a clean edge.
Next, securely drive a deck screw down into the countersunk hole into the joist below. (All Ipe Clip® fastener kits, 175 count and above, have extra stainless steel deck screws included in them for starter boards.) Wood plugs will next be installed into the holes to hide the deck screws and create a smooth, blemish free surface.
Place a dab of wood glue (Gorilla Glue® is suggested) into the countersink hole from the above steps. This will secure the wood plug from popping up in the future. Plus, it will act as a moisture barrier, sealing the countersunk hole and screw.
Insert a 3/8 " tapered (or Extreme ribbed) Hardwood Plug and tap it down with a hammer so it fits snug into the hole. Wipe away any excess glue that may squeeze out. NOTE: We always encourage finding the wood grain in the plug and aligning it with the deck board grain. This will help ensure the plug is hidden as much as possible.
Once the plug is hammered in and the glue is dry, remove any excess plug material protruding above the surface of the deck board. You can accomplish this by using a flush cut pull saw, belt sander or an orbital sander with 80 grit sand paper.
Sand smooth all areas where a plug was installed so that plug is flush with deck surface. A round, random orbit sander with 80-120 grit sand paper works best. When sanding is finished, we suggest using Ipe Oil® for a beautiful natural wood color on your entire deck
Use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32 " X 1/2 " slot cutting bit) to cut a slot in the edge of deck board above each joist. You will want to center this groove in the board so there is a symmetrical profile for best results using the Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners by DeckWise®.
NOTE: pre-grooved deck boards are now available from many decking suppliers. If you are using pre-grooved decking, skip this step and proceed to step 10.
Used to drill pilot holes and for installing the stainless steel screws. ( A cordless screwgun with an adjustable clutch is recommended so torque can be properly set to avoid over-tightening of screws.) Use a 1/8 " drill bit and a 3/8 " countersink bit or the 3-in-1 DeckWise® Drill & Drive™.
Used to prevent joist wood rot as well as seals around deck screws.
Used as a leveling agent for uneven joists.
Common cabinet maker tool, available at most hardware stores & home centers) - Used to make a slot in the edge of the deck boards to allow insertion of the Ipe Clip® fasteners.
Can be used if you do not have access to a biscuit jointer, a #20 biscuit cutting router bit (also called a 5/32 " slot cutting bit) will work fine. This method is actually preferred by some installers.
* Not required for use with pre-grooved decking.
Insert one Ipe Clip® fastener into the groove of the deck board above each joist. Where two boards meet on a single joist, only one fastener is needed. Drill a 1/8 " pilot hole at a 45° angle for each screw when installing Ipe Clip® fasteners into hardwood decking. You only need to pre-drill through the hardwood. This is to avoid splintering and to make sure the decking is pulled tight to the joist by the screw in the next step
Run the stainless steel screws at approximately a 45° angle through the hole in the center of the Ipe Clip® fastener, through the deck board, and down into the joist. It should not take much torque to fasten the deck board. Once the board is snug to the joist you can install the next fastener on the next joist. A screwgun with a clutch setting works great for this as you can turn the clutch down to avoid overdriving screws. Fasten each board using one fastener and one screw per joist.
Where two boards meet on a single joist, the preferred method is to use a sister joist parallel to the main joist. Install 2 (two) Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fasteners — one on each joist — where the boards meet. However, only one centered fastener can be installed at their meeting point.
Run the stainless steel screws straight down through the center of the Ipe Clip® fastener and into the joist. It should not take much torque to fasten the deck board. Once the board is snug to the joist you can install the next fastener on the next joist. A screwgun with a clutch setting works great for this as you can turn the clutch down to avoid overdriving screws. Fasten each board using one fastener and one screw per joist.
Slide the next deck board onto the installed Ipe Clip® fastener protruding from the previous deck board. Again, if pre-grooved decking is not being used, use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32 " X 1/2 " slot cutting bit) to cut a slot into the edge of the next deck board above the joist. Keep in mind, this next board will also have Ipe Clip® hidden fasteners installed on it’s opposite edge for fastening, and so forth. NOTE: When using Ipe Clip® ExtremeKD® or Extreme4® fasteners, use the DeckWise® Deck Spacer tools provided to ensure that fastener legs are not crushed while keeping your deck boards tight. Remove spacer tools as soon as any deck board is fastened
On the last deck board, fastening clips will not be used and it is necessary to fasten the outside edge with surface screws. These surface screws can be concealed by countersinking a 3/8 " hole and using the wood plugs supplied. It is also recommended to apply a small amount of construction adhesive on the outside joist for securing the last or outside edge deck boards.
Using the DeckWise® Drill & Drive™ tool to build your deck makes predrilling, plugging, and driving screws much faster than standard drilling and driving.
Coat decking with proper deck finish after installation to reduce any wood shrinkage or movement. Ipe Oil® or similar product is recommended.
DeckWise® JoistTape™ is a polyethylene waterproof wood flashing using a rubberized asphalt mastic adhesive. Easily apply to decking joists, around deck support posts and over ledger boards.
