Get Our Email Newsletter

IN DEPTH: Fasteners

Grabber recently introduced a fastener for driving into light-gauge metal framing. The fastener offers a sharper point that drives into metal 50% faster, says Wulfenstein. “It increases the number of pieces that can be put up in one day. That’s a significant increase for anyone.” It’s now being used in mostly light-commercial projects, where metal studs are used.

Deck projects offer the most varied fastener challenges, as material choices, accessories and the projects’ scope continue to grow. “Decking projects are expanding into all types of exterior construction, including fences, patios, pergolas and others,” says GRK’s Martel. “They want more durable materials to be used to create those.” Starborn’s Gertner agrees. “We’ve always provided a large color range, but there are new applications that require more than just a range of colors.”

Deck projects are becoming more elaborate, leading to more creative designs. “We are seeing some use of hidden fasteners on vertical applications, such as rainscreens,” says Bob Hafner, president of Tiger Deck. “We’ve sold some of our deck boards for that purpose.”

LBM Resources

Impactful Innovations: Four Ways Manufacturing and Technology Upgrades Elevate Window Performance

The demand for energy efficiency, performance, and resilience has never been higher in the home remodeling and building materials industry.

Starborn has seen growth in the use of rooftop decks in urban areas. In October, the company plans to introduce shorter deck screws to use for rooftop applications and expanding other lines to include shorter screws and stainless-steel options. “Builders have told us they want more options, and we’ve responded,” says Gertner. It also has a fascia system to ensure an attractive finish despite varying materials with different expansion and contraction rates.

Titan Metal Werks also offers a patented fascia system for what has become a recurring problem, says Tipps. “It continues to gain in popularity. Some composite-board manufacturers suggest using as much as three screws every 12 inches to secure their fascia boards, and that’s going to be an unsightly solution.”

Hidden Fasteners Still Growing
Hidden fasteners continue to grow their market share. “Hidden fasteners are getting to be much more popular overall,” says Tiger Deck’s Hafner. MiTek’s Kreutzer agrees. “There are more hidden fasteners being used on decks due to the use of composites. People don’t want their composite boards drilled into, they want that smooth, even look. The composite market is taking a huge chunk of the business.”

Get our free newsletter

Join thousands of other lumber and building material industry leaders and keep up with the companies, people, products and issues shaping the industry.

What's New

Digital Partners

Become a digital partner ...

Sales Comp Study

Download this 55-page, in-depth study by LBM Journal of industry trends in sales force compensation and benefits. See how your organization stacks up.

Webinars

- Advertisement -

White Papers

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Partner Content

View all ...

- Advertisement -

Registration is now open for the LBM Strategies 2024 Conference