Deck Fixings

[iloveglee]

Am seeking advice re decking and its fixings. We have a deck frame in place which is not rotted but the deck boards have. So we are replacing just the boards. I would like to have the boards laid smooth side up (which apparently is the correct way to lay them - who knew!)

Problem arises with the fixings. We are diyers but feel we could cut and screw deck boards to an existing frame. I don't want to be able to see the screw heads, which can usually be hidden on a groove upwards board. I can't see any advantage to nailing them either, as the nail heads would also be visible. The previous deck was groove up and nailed, and it was a real mess.
It was fine when it was first laid, and I have to admit it had been down a long time and hadn't exactly been maintained as it should have been.

Is this an insoluble problem. Ideas welcomed from anyone who has successfully laid, or had someone else lay their deck smooth side up and managed to hide the screw heads.

[KARL]

When you say "hide" do you perhaps not mean that literally but more like "sink" so the heads are flush with or just below the face of the wood ? If not then the only option is to drill so the screws are low and then fill in the hole one way or other.

I have personally never seen or known of the boards being mounted smooth side up so you will perhaps be the only one to do things correctly. The grooves are there to avoid danger of slipping, particularly in the wet. The UK climate is very damp and algal growth builds up (especially on untreated wood) and acts like grease. Not only have the boards not been nailed but the screws (countersunk) have generally been of stainless steel, although carbon steel is fairly often seen in the UK (which rusts). Any installations that I have personally seen have involved treated boards so they will not rot.

[bhg481]

I wonder where you got the information that "smooth side up" is the correct way to lay the boards. As KARL says, the grooves are there to prevent slipping; why would you groove the underside?

[Mamyalynne]

It appears it's somewhat of a trend just now, I know I would prefer to walk on the grooved surface.

https://www.gripsure.co.uk/blog/post/eight-decking-myths-busted

[bhg481]

Ah, so it's trendy (thanks Mamy). Please bear in mind the wait-time at your local A&E if you want to be trendy.

[The Builder]

Try something like these...

https://www.fengatefasteners.co.uk/ProductGrp/eb-ty-hidden-deck-fixing-with---stainless-screws-box-of-175

There are other makes around, but they all have the same idea. Fixed to the side of the board, and then to the joist.

I can't believe the "smooth side up" bit either. The ones I use from the Builders' Merchants, are grooved on both sides. Small grooves on one, and bigger ones on the other.

[iloveglee]

I also believed that the grooves were there to prevent slipping. Apparently this is not the case. In the case of grooved boards, there is less wood in contact with the foot than with a smooth surface. In fact, having visited other countries (some where there is often a great deal of rain), and that use deck a great deal, None of them have used grooved deck. And, every ship I have ever been on (many), has smooth deck boards. Removing water and dirt is very much easier from a smooth surface. In my opinion all deck is slippery when wet.

Having done quite a bit of research into this subject, it would appear that the manufacturers of deck made one side grooved in order to improve moisture removal from the underside, and the fact that grooves made slipping less likely was a misunderstanding. It is not a matter of being trendy. My previous deck was grooved and was extremely slippery as it was so difficult to keep clean, and it was treated wood.

I will take a look at the link relating to fastenings and see if this is something I could use. When I say I don't want to see the screws, I don't just mean I don't want them standing flush with the deck surface, I don't want to see them at all if possible.