Special Fastening systems for wooden and composite terraces

INVISIBLE FASTENING TERRACES ARE BREAKING THROUGH

THE WHEAT IS NOW SEPARATE FROM THE CHAFF

Foto – ArchiWood

‘The systems themselves continue to move in the direction of technical refinement. It’s clear that there are differences between systems, but the systems still on the market today are all of high quality. Lots of players have left the market. Those who supply proven quality and offer something extra for the market have survived.’ We encountered this gem of wisdom during an interview with Quentin van Winckel of B-Fix and it appeared in the editorial of our previous edition. Yet where do the differences actually lie?

Some history About twenty years ago, there was nothing special about fitting a wooden terrace. The ribbed bangkirai planks were just as easily available from the average DIY store as from a professional timber store. The idea of screwing those same planks onto a beam is as old as it is simple. The end result after a professional fitting might have been a little better, but it was still hard to compete with the extensive range of available terrace tiles, ceramics, concrete, and natural stone. In terms of aesthetics, maintenance, and lifespan, those rivals did considerably better. Floor fitters had only a minor role to play in this story.

Wood sorts The extensive transport possibilities have paved the way for economic globalisation. This globalisation has resulted in all products, raw materials, or ingredients being available to everyone, whatever their location on the planet. Wood sorts are coming to us from all corners of the globe. The result: an endless pallet of wood sorts, each with their own grain, colour shade, density, and level of durability. Traditional outdoor floors suddenly found themselves in stiff competition with a wide range of wood sorts in durability classes 1 and 2.

concept terrace to clip. invisible fixations. perfect finishes.

Invisible fastening Invisible fastening systems have been developing for a long time, but over the past decade we can certainly say that things have moved up a gear. The principle of fixing wooden floors without using screws immediately made the comparison between a wooden terrace and a parquet floor much more realistic. It opened up a new world to parquet floor fitters. They found that the combination of irresistibly attractive wood sorts with the modern (concealed) fastening systems made it possible to create real gems. ‘Garden parquet’ or ‘outdoor parquet’ became new concepts. Obviously, that was perfectly suited to parquet floor fitters.

Fastening systems As a rule, you can summarise invisible fastening systems as a system in which the terrace boards are not fastened to each other directly, but via a clip on the beams (support structure). This usually means that the terrace plank has to be fitted with a groove into which the clip fits perfectly. All clip systems are designed to absorb the movements of the floorboards. They are designed in such a way that the wood can swell and shrink if proper account is taken of the correct intervals between the boards. To do that it is necessary to take account of the humidity level at the time of the fitting. Most clip systems draw a distinction between wood dried in an oven and wood which is air-dried in a natural manner. One benefit is that fitters no longer have to take account of the wood swelling. The clip indicates the correct distance between the planks. Existing systems require a groove (notch) in the side of the planks, a groove underneath the plank, or no groove at all. The latter case has the advantage that all planks in all sizes are suitable. That is not the case with systems with a groove.

Why invisible fastening? From an aesthetic perspective The benefit is patently obvious from an aesthetic perspective. We can compare it perfectly to the difference between a classic wooden floor nailed onto beams of yesteryear and a fully glued parquet floor. With old wooden floors the nail marks might evoke nostalgia for some people, but nowadays when we opt for a wooden floor we strive for absolute perfection. The same applies to terraces.

From a technical/qualitative perspective A terrace with invisible fastening is not only more attractive at the start, but also it retains its beauty for much longer. The forces which play upon the wood in outdoor conditions can be extremely powerful and will invariably lead to cracks around the screws over time. Moreover, the curling of the wood (something which is inevitable in outdoor conditions, but is also tolerated) is hardly noticeable with invisible fastening systems.

From a safety perspective The swelling and shrinking of the wood with the traditional screw systems also involves an additional risk. Possible damage or traces of wear and tear can be felt. Splinter formation cannot be excluded. With swimming pool boards, in particular, this can result in injuries if people run on the terrace barefoot. With invisible fastening systems the risk of splinter formation (apart from as a result of accidental damage) is virtually non-existent.

Technical perfection has a price Fastening systems have visibly reached technical maturity. Both as regards the materials of the clips themselves (usually selected synthetics, composites, or metals) and the type of metal from which the screws are produced, the components have been the subject of years of research and tests. That considerably reduces the risk of fitters having to cope with substandard products. As we’ve said, substandard products and systems have been driven off the market, so the choice now is from the qualitative ‘survivors’. Advice from suppliers and references will have to prove the decisive factor in the choice of the most suitable system because there still isn’t an official standard. Manufacturers work constantly on new technical possibilities, products, and systems. They should listen to the demands of wholesalers, fitters, and end users.

What’s on the market ?

ArchiWood / NÖVLEK®

HardWood Clip® is the invisible fitting system which ArchiWood has developed for wooden terraces. The stainless steel fastening clip (in a top-quality synthetic casing) is fitted into the grooves (sides) of the floorboards and screwed into the beams through the floorboards at an angle of 45° with self-drilling screws (SPAX in high-quality A2 stainless steel). HardWood Clip® is available in three types (3mm/5mm/7mm) to guarantee the correct distance between the floorboards, irrespective of the type of wood, the degree of damp at the time of fitting, and the weather conditions. This system is particularly discreet thanks to the black matt finish (non-reflective) and the antique brown colour of the screw (coloured all over). HardWood Clip® can be combined with the ventilation spacer NÖVLEK®, which ensures perfect ventilation for the planks and also reduces the risk of warping, swelling, and shrinking. SoftWood Clip™ is virtually the same fastening system as HardWood Clip®, but it is meant solely for Thermowood or thermally treated wood sorts. The SoftWood Clip™ is available in two sizes (5 and 7mm). Square Clip™ is a simple and efficient system for fastening terrace tiles invisibly. The system is efficient and universal. The Square Clip™ can be fitted or screwed onto any flat base. There is not a single special tool required. The system also enables you to dismantle the tiles, change the tile configuration, or replace a tile. The tiles never come into contact with the base. An integrated system of discharge channels on both sides of the base ensure good drainage and ventilation, and that is obviously good for the lifespan. Square Clip™ is designed to allow the wood to behave naturally. The clip adapts to all wood sorts, dimensions, and composite. The system is completely invisible.

B-Fix ITALPROFILI

B-Fix presents a range of solutions for terraces and swimming pool boards. Since the launch of the system, it has already been used for millions of square metres. The assortment includes several types of invisible fasteners e.g. B-Fix One, B-Fix Black One, and B-Fix Border. Furthermore, the assortment also includes various accessories. The system itself is designed in stainless steel with memory effect so that the wood can act naturally and yet still stay perfectly in place. Each plank can be removed individually. The fastening system can be mounted onto different profiles and can be deployed on a wide range of wood sorts and composite. Thanks to the screws, the system adapts to various types of structures e.g. wood, aluminium, and layer structure. B-Fix can be fitted horizontally and vertically. These systems can be fitted much quicker than a classic system.

Burger

Our adjustable paving support systems for decking systems are divided into two ranges: the SPECIAL JOIST and the SPECIAL LIGHT JOIST. Our Special Joist range has the self-levelling or the fixed head, specifically designed to allow the installation of joists from 40 to 100 mm. The innovative system allows to keep the joist always centered in the head, distributing the load evenly. The joist is fixed sideways in the appropriate holes with self-tapping screws. Instead the Special Light Joist range has only the fixed head, suitable to accommodate any type of joist for decking systems. They are the paving supports with the highest certified load capacity available on the market, from a minimum of 1100 kg up to kg. 3000.

Vetedy

crédit photo@LNP-grad

The Grad concept: four aluminium rails fitted with clips in advance on computerised lines. The Grad clip is the first invisible fastening for wooden terraces and the only system that the FCBA acknowledges as meeting the demands of the DTU 51-4 standard (fitting standard for wooden terraces). It ensures alignment almost to the millimetre for clips and floorboards. With each installation, the rail, with its functionalities and accessories, must cope with all the required configurations thanks to their Grad 3D software. The four rail profiles enable the terrace to reach heights of up to 400mm thanks to the Top Lift® pedestals and their load boards. The terrace is now more durable because there is no contact whatsoever with the ground and planks, so it’s impossible for water to infiltrate. Their system is aimed at all sorts of professionals. The benefits: big time saving in the fitting, no anchorage points, the non-alignment of the screws, and the option of removing each floorboard individually. The Softline® system from Vetedy consists of a clip in composite material allowing installation with hidden fasteners with a memory capacity. Due to the composition of the clip, its durability over time is extremely high. Our system is unique in its kind because it has been studied as a whole, that is to say that we offer a complete system, boards and fixings. You are therefore serene by proposing it to your customers because the durability of the system has now been proven and approved for 20 years. Among the advantages of Softline®, we find in particular the fact that the system allows a 100% invisible fixing pose in any imaginable configuration. It also includes an invisible tongue & groove at the end of the boards which are already mounted in our factory. We offer the best species of wood on the market and make sure we mold them according to the rules of the art with a humidity percentage which is ideal for outdoor use to ensure the stability and longevity of the decking.