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Introduction to Edge Fastening

What Edge fastening is, why it’s the best option for square decking, and how CAMO helps you build better.

Fastening through the face of a deck board ages it prematurely. Traditional deck screws, though providing a strong hold, can potentially crack the boards and cause them to split and splinter. Not what you want when you’re investing time and money into an outdoor living space.

The better way to fasten any square deck board, including pressure treated wood, cedar, redwood, PVC, and composites, is through its edge. Not only does this leave the board’s surface clean from fasteners, reducing the potential for splitting and cracking, but it also creates a solid v-lock connection into the joist, reducing lateral movement. That means you’ll maximize the longevity of your deck, enjoy a high-end hidden fastener finish, and do it at a fraction of the cost of grooved decking and clip systems.

So how can you achieve a fastener-free deck top with no visible screws and no cracks or splinters on the face of the board? Pick up the Marksman System. While there are a variety of products that can help you install hidden fasteners on square decking, they are either costly or take a lot of time and require pre-drilling. The Marksman System, is an affordable option that will save you time while helping you install square deck boards easily.

CAMO’s hand drive system includes CAMO Edge Screws and MARKSMAN Tools that create spacing between the boards and act as a guide, directing the screw into the board’s edge. To speed up installs of pressure treated decking where no spacing is needed between boards, you can utilize the CAMO DRIVE® stand-up tool and collated Edge screws.

While the tools are key, the Edge screws do the work. These screws feature a patented rake tip that augers board material while being driven. That action makes space for the screw and prevents splitting and cracking without the need to pre-drill holes on pressure treated wood, cedar, redwood, and uncapped composite decking. Then, the reverse upper thread draws the board tight to the joist, and the trimhead reduces the visibility on the side of the board. Edge screws are available in 1-⅞ in. for boards 3/4–1 in. thick and 2-⅜ in. for boards 1–1-½ in. thick and are available in CAMO’s proprietary PROTECH coating and 316 Stainless Steel.

Another bonus of the Marksman System over others: you can easily back out the screws if you ever need to replace a board. Plus, Edge screws are backed by a CAMO warranty against rust and corrosion, giving you peace of mind with your installation.

While it is more expensive than a traditional face screw, investing upfront with the CAMO Edge fastening system means you’ll build better, create strong connections, and spend more time enjoying your deck for years to come.

Stainless Steel Fasteners 101

Learn about Stainless Steel fasteners and why they are the best choice for exterior projects.

No matter what project you’re tackling, you need to make sure you’ve got the right fastener for the job. Sure, you want the correct screw for the application, but it’s also critical to consider what the fastener is made of. Without a doubt, Stainless Steel is the best option for any installation as it offers the best protection against corrosion and will hold up over the project’s lifetime.

What makes Stainless Steel so great? We’ll get a bit technical here, but Stainless Steel has a “passive” oxide layer on its surface that prevents staining and rusting of the surface when exposed to oxygen. The elemental makeup of Stainless Steel fasteners also lends to their strength, hardness, and ductility, making them both high-performing and aesthetically pleasing.

Two common alloys are under the Stainless Steel category: 305 and 316. Let’s dive into the differences between the two and the applications for each type.

305 Stainless Steel

305 Stainless Steel offers high corrosion resistance in various outdoor projects, protecting against corrosion far better than a standard exterior coated carbon. That means it will keep your project safe and long-lasting while providing excellent aesthetics.

305 is required for exterior structures 3,000 feet to 10 miles from a saltwater shoreline. It is also an excellent alloy option for installing pressure treated lumber, PVC, composite, and capped composite deck boards no matter where you are. 305 Stainless Steel fasteners are widely available nationwide, so you can use these fasteners for any project.

316 Stainless Steel*

The best of the best, there is no better alloy for exterior projects than 316 Stainless Steel, which offers the highest corrosion resistance possible. 316 Stainless Steel is required in any coastal, marine, or waterway area within 3,000 feet of saltwater and is recommended within a 10-mile reach to combat aerosolized saltwater. They are also recommended in a variety of applications beyond saltwater exposure:

  • Structures near swimming pools where the surface is exposed to chlorine
  • Decks and docks that are continuously exposed to fresh water
  • Agricultural environments that deal with chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides while also facing highly corrosive animal waste and frequent cleaning treatments
  • Decks, patios, and structures that will face wood strippers, harsh cleaning agents, or ice-melting chemicals
  • Installations of cedar, redwood, or hardwood decking where tannin release caused by carbon fasteners may cause staining and streaking
  • Multi-level decks and structures in mountainous regions that require more flexibility and durability

If you want to install the following best practices and never have to worry about your fasteners holding up, choose 316 Stainless Steel for every exterior job. There are a lot of Stainless Steel fasteners on the market to choose from, but CAMO offers a comprehensive line of Stainless Steel fasteners, including screws and hand drive nails that start fast and hold strong, and collated nails to make quick work of framing projects.

Whether you are building a coastal deck, constructing a project on a farm, or working on any exterior structure, Stainless Steel fasteners will help you build better in every environment.

*Stainless steel is not corrosion-proof; it is corrosion-resistant. While it is the best alloy choice for fasteners in highly corrosive environments with strong chlorides, such as saltwater regions, pools, and areas where deicer is used, staining can still occur. It is important to regularly wash the installed screws to keep the heads and screw recesses clean from salt deposits and other residue.