SEBASTOPOL — If you’re in the market for a new deck, you may find yourself overwhelmed with choices, as material options range from composites and synthetics to hardwoods and softwoods. However, an equally important factor to consider is how you want to attach the deck boards to your structure.
Many deck builders are still nailing or screwing decks together from the top down, which can cause several problems down the road. Besides being unsightly, protruding nails and screws can be a tripping hazard. In addition, water can penetrate the nail and screw holes and cause premature rot, which shortens the deck’s lifespan.
A good way to avoid these kinds of issues is to use a hidden bracket system. With hidden brackets, joists are attached beneath the deck boards, which allows the builder to insert the screws on the deck’s underside. The end result is a clean, unblemished deck surface that’s as safe and durable as it is aesthetically pleasing.

The Benefits of Hidden Brackets

Discover the advantages of hidden brackets in construction. Enhance aesthetics and durability of your project with discreet and reliable support solutions.

The Benefits of Hidden Brackets by Weston Leavens

by Weston Leavens, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Video: Hidden Brackets for Deck Installation

Today, we're in Sebastopol with Diamond Certified expert contributor Weston Levins of Deckmaster to learn about hidden brackets that you can use for your deck installation.

If you're in the market for a new deck, you may find yourself overwhelmed with choices. There are composites, synthetics, hardwoods, softwoods. But one thing you really need to consider is how you're going to attach those deck boards to your structure. Many people are still nailing or screwing decks down from the top, and we've all seen the problems that come from that type of construction. Everybody's tripped on nails and seen ugly screw heads.

What I recommend is a Deckmaster hidden bracket. We attach it to the joist from below, and then we screw your deck boards up from below so that you never have any penetration on the surface of your deck. The end result is just a clean, unbroken surface, and you never have to worry about tripping on a nail head.

So no matter what decking you're using, whether it's a softwood or an exotic hardwood or synthetic or composite, use the hidden brackets that are going to make your deck look the best and last the longest.

To learn more from local top-rated companies, visit our Diamond Certified expert reports at experts.diamondcertified.org.

Weston Leavens: Deck Master

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