When you’re building a deck, you likely know what kind of board you want to use. But have you put much thought into how you’ll fasten it? Sure, using any old screw could do the job, but it also might mean you’ll spend more time replacing boards down the road than enjoying the deck. Learn more about three types of fasteners— face screws, Edge screws, and hidden deck clips —so you can make the right choice for your project.

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.

Whether you’re resurfacing your deck or building a brand new one, a big decision is what type of deck boards you want to install. The two most popular options are pressure treated wood and composite. We’ve compared these two options based on three categories: cost of materials, installation time, and maintenance over time.