DeckWise® Master Builders know they can choose Ipe Clip® hidden deck fasteners or face screw deck boards for their projects depending on their preference or their client’s wishes. We always suggest hidden deck fasteners for decking and patio builds and each Ipe Clip® kit comes with enough hardwood plugs, glue and screws for starter boards and edge boards.
Likewise, when hidden deck fastening is NOT the preferred choice, there's only one complete hardwood plug kit for face screwing in the market. The Master Plug Kit solves the problem by including your choice of four hardwood plug specie (smooth or our ribbed Extreme Plugs®) and the leading brand of wood glue in every kit. The DeckWise® Master Plug Kit fills in the blanks other so-called "complete wood plug kits" leave behind. Finally, builders have the all-in-one system they've been asking for.
Available in Smooth Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak, Red Balau, Yellow Balau, & Massaranduba.
Garapa only available in ribbed Extreme Plugs®
Apply DeckWise® JoistTape™ or a bead of exterior adhesive to each joist approximately 3/8" in width. 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 penetrating deck screws. Both JoistTape™ and/or adhesive under the starter board will help prevent squeaking from uneven joists in the future.
With a 1/8" drill bit, pre-drill a pilot hole for the starter board face screws. Drill into the starter board downwards ino the ledger board deep enough to penetrate both. (All Ipe Clip® Hidden Deck Fastener kits 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. It is important that your countersink bit is sharp and leaves a clean edge, to ensure a smooth and unblemished application. This countersink hole is where the starter board screws will fasten to the ledger board and each screw to be hidden later by a hardwood plug.
Next, securely drive a deck screw down into the countersunk hole into the ledger board or 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 small dab of wood glue (Gorilla Glue® is suggested) into the countersink hole on top of the screw. This will secure and prevent the hardwood plug from popping up in the future. Additionally, it will act as a moisture barrier, sealing the countersunk hole and screw.
Insert a 3/8" tapered (or Extreme Plug®) 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 wood grain. This will help ensure the plug is hidden as much as possible.
When 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 80-120 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 applying Ipe Oil® for a beautiful natural wood color on your entire deck.
Tapered design makes installation simple and easy. Available in Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak, Red Balau, Yellow Balau, and Massaranduba to match your decking.
DeckWise Hardwood Plug Kit - CUMARU - 3/8" - 1050 Screws & Plugs for 300 Sq. Ft. of Decking - Glue & Pre-drilling Tool Included
Most countersink holes are not drilled perfectly round because hand held drills wobble during use, creating an oblong hole. The tolerance-absorbing rings of the Extreme Plug® fills in these oblong holes and provides more surface area for glue to hold. Extreme Plugs® are available in Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Garapa and Massaranduba to match your hardwood deck boards.
