Special Fastening systems for wooden terraces

THE MARKET HAS MATURED

ADVANTAGES OF INVISIBLE FASTENING HAVE BEEN QUITE CLEAR FOR SOME TIME

Quentin Van Winckel: (B-Fix – B)

‘Our approach comprises three main points.’

Left : Quentin van Winckel – Right : Raphaël Pieters When it comes to the world of invisible fastening systems, the Belgian company B-Fix hardly needs any introduction. B-Fix, based in Villersla-Ville, has perfected products for this invisible fastening system for many years and over the years has also become a permanent fixture in many countries outside Belgium. That’s certainly the case with fastening wooden deckings and wall cladding.

Business manager Quentin van Winckel sees three different points which have led to the growing popularity of the B-Fix approach. Here, he looks beyond the delivery of a quality product, which is accompanied by the highest possible flexibility in market operation. After all, quality and service should be standard conditions in the strategy of any ambitious company.

100% European, almost 100% Belgian

Quentin comments: ‘First of all, I’d like to take readers back to about 15 years ago. B-Fix was created in those days with the explicit intention of helping the company respond to outdoor fastening needs. The intention was to set up a relatively universal system and from the beginning we were fortunate enough to be able to rely on Belgian partners. From the very beginning until now, we’ve produced in Europe for the full 100%, and actually almost for 100% in Belgium. Our initial partnership with the sheltered workshop is still functioning in full swing. Moreover, this initiative is an integral part of our structure and helps us to keep our know-how about our products close to the source.’

Universal system

‘A second point which the firm identifies is its technical approach. B-Fix always wanted a universal system which could also be used for both terraces and walls. Furthermore, it also had to be suitable for both exotic and local sorts of wood or for adapted cladding, such as with thermally treated wood or composite planks. Our aim has always been to make life easier for clients and dealers by offering them a single system which they could use anywhere. That universality will be vital in our production in the near future and, furthermore, everything revolves around impeccable quality and high-speed fitting. Moreover, in the next few years, we’re going to be moving clearly towards a more integrated solution to extend our activities to cover all deckings and their structures.’

Love of wood

‘People who know us can certainly guess the third point. I want to stress here once again how closely we’re still connected to the wood industry and also stress that this is now a fully fledged market. The wood industry now operates more sustainably, and thereby all our partners (and we’ve worked with almost all of them for many years and will continue to do so) are constantly on board with that.’

‘In particular the wood market has now become much more structured and B-Fix is making every effort within its segment to provide the best possible accessories for the fitting. If I want to stress one thing, it would be how much we will continue to foster excellent relations with everyone in the wood industry in the future. This isn’t just a product which we’ve got to know through and through; it’s also an industry in which we can operate with complete confidence with all partners and thereby create only win-win situations. Don’t misunderstand me, with our company we also respond to wood derivatives and do so via the well known B-Fix method of approach.’

For many years the big problem with fastening for wooden terraces was the fastening system which was used. Screwing through the wooden floorboards was regarded as necessary. And so, not only was the look disrupted by visible screws, but also the fact that elements were driven into the wood exposed the vulnerability of the material.

There might have been some developments in the area of stainless steel screws, for instance, but it could have been so much better. Moreover, there could have been a much closer similarity to the perfectly finished parquet indoors, which contrasted sharply with what was on show on the terrace. In the meantime, the solution came over a decade ago with the launch of the first invisible fastening systems. Now, in 2022, invisible fastening systems have turned the market upside down and ensure that you can almost say that a terrace is a synonym for ‘outdoor parquet’.

Use of clips

What are we actually talking about when it comes to an invisible fastening? To understand this properly, you should realise that floorboards are fastened in place without using visible screws. Moreover, you use a system which doesn’t fasten the wooden planks directly to the beams, but via the use of a clip on this support structure. This method of assembly means that the floorboards are almost always equipped with a groove into which the clip fits and clip systems are geared to absorb the swelling and shrinking of the wood. When there is due regard for the correct distance between the terrace planks, a good system ensures that the wood can swell and shrink. Moreover, the fitter shows due regard for the humidity level of the wood at the time of the fitting. The next question which we could ask is one of a technical nature. We’ve already covered the aesthetic aspect, but what is the difference between this and the traditional fastening in terms of quality?

Technical advantages + safety

You should realise that an invisible fastening allows a terrace to keep its good looks for much longer. Since wood fitted outdoors is exposed to various forces, the fitted screws are precisely the elements which can cause problems in the long term. In particular, you have to allow for crack formation here, something which is not the case with invisible fastening. Furthermore, you will also notice that the inevitable curling of the wood outdoors may be regarded as virtually non-existent with an invisible fastening. Moreover, you also have a safety argument to fit in with the technical element. Splinter formation can occur at any time whenever you damage wood, such as with the use of screws. That’s exactly what you don’t want, certainly if there are children who dare to walk barefoot on the wood.

Mature and structured

Finally, we also consider how mature the market now is. Do invisible fastening systems still have teething problems and, if so, what are they? In answer to that question Quentin Van Winckel from specialist B-Fix has given an absolutely clear answer in the preface to the previous edition.

This was what Quentin said: ‘The terrace market is now much more mature and structured; in terms of both the quality and quantity of the wood everything is going well and the installation follows with an increasingly structured approach, with increasing quality. What stands out is how professionals have come to put the stress on technical questions. It’s also clear that the other brands are also investing constantly to operate on this market. Although there are no generally prevailing rules in Belgium for fitting terraces, we do see that the market now operates more flexibly precisely because we and others stayed strong and continue to insist on quality fitting. We link this as much as possible with training, and this bears fruit.’

An overview

B-Fix

B-Fix presents a range of solutions for terraces and deckings. Since the launch of the system, it has already been used on 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. And also the brand new B-Fix Connect. Furthermore, the assortment also includes various accessories. The B-Fix range 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 3 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. For the cladding, B-Fix can be fitted horizontally and vertically. These systems can be fitted much quicker than a classic system.

Eurotec GmbH

Practical deck systems from Eurotec

Eurotec GmbH is a medium-sized company and has established itself as a permanent fixture in the fastening technology segment with more than 20 years of existence. The product range includes a variety of high-quality items for patio and garden projects. From load-bearing adjustable pedestals and robust system profiles to coordinated accessories – the company offers its customers a variety of fastening

systems and tools with which all types of patio projects can be realised. With the help of dimensionally stable aluminum system profiles, in contrast to wooden profiles, a durable basis is created for laying and fastening the desired covering. The range provides various products for visible or hidden fastening for fixing wood decking boards. Eurotec has many years of experience and know-how in the field of deck construction and is happy to support you in the planning phase and the realization of your deck project.

La San Marco Profili

La San Marco Profili offers a wide choice of materials and profiles, such as the traditional female/female lateral milling, the invisible profile and others. From Decking to Deck Tiles, for outdoors floor, we offer different solutions to every need. Both standard and custom millings are available, along with all the necessary for installation. Furthermore, the company offers different methods of fitting that give many advantages to the customer; the most important advantage is to reduce time of installation. Among our systems, there is the “Easy change system”. The planks are supplied exclusively prepared for mounting with this patented system, a revolutionary installation system that speeds up the fitting process, reduces the fitting costs and eliminates the possibility of errors by giving the chance of removing only one plank in any point of the floor with just the use of a special key. Another solution we offer is the I-FLY clip, the smart decking clip that could be installed as the traditional clips of conventional installations. This special clip can be used with any kind of joists. As the easy change system, I-FLY clip allows you to easily remove and replace any planks at any point in the floor and it is incredibly quick and easy to install. These installation systems could be used for both wood and composite decking.

ArchiWood / NÖVLEK®

NÖVLEK® develops and manufactures ingenious, simple and effective solutions to fix, protect, insulate and install wooden boards and supports for your decks, cladding and other outdoor structures. DURABILITY, STABILITY AND BEAUTY GUARANTEED HardWood Clip® is the most advanced, effective fastening system on the market for timber decking and cladding, thanks to its exclusive and outstanding technical characteristics. HardWood Clip® brings a real revolution to the field of invisible fasteners for timber decking. The innovative technique involves both the unique 45° screwing process, and the use of two, high-performance materials together ensuring greater strength, rigidity, absorption capacity and durability. HardWood Clip® is the most advanced, effective fastening system on the market for wooden decking, thanks to its exclusive and outstanding technical characteristics. The invisible HardWood Clip® fastenings (fasteners) ensure complete stability over time, along with their superb looks and unparalleled durability. The quality of each of the components of the HardWood Clip® fastening system help to make the work of users easier, while saving at least 40% of the time needed for laying (apart from the structure), compared to traditional methods. The invisible SoftWood Clip™ fasteners are designed especially for decking and cladding, in stable modified timber: heat-treated pine, heat-treated ash, Accoya®, Kebony®, bamboo, etc. SoftWood Clip™ fasteners ensure complete stability over time, along with their highend aesthetic and unparalleled durability. Easy to install and to dismantle, the Square Clip™ allows the assembled decking or flooring tiles to be endlessly reorganised and rearranged. The tiles are fixed firmly to each other, with no risk of shifting. The Square Clip™ connector can be placed or screwed directly onto the support structure (concrete floor, joists, pedestals, etc.). A tile can be removed without having to dismantle the whole layout, and without damaging the connector.