Fastener System for Solving Deck Fascia Board Expansion
A special drill bit and color-matched fasteners lets composite or PVC deck fascia boards expand and contract to minimize warping.
Adding fascia boards is usually the last step when finishing a great-looking deck. However, with composite and PVC deck fascia boards, installation with standard deck screws often doesn’t allow for enough expansion and contraction through the seasons, causing the boards to twist or warp. Starborn’s Deckfast Fascia System, which includes a special drill bit and fasteners, lets you make an oversized hole to allow for movement and includes a screw with a color-matched head that creates a seamless aesthetic.
Designed for deck fascia boards ½ in. to ¾ in. thick, the concept of the system is simple: use the tool to predrill a hole that’s wider than the shank of the screw to allow for contraction, then insert the screw so it’s flush with the board. The screw head covers the oversized hole while still allowing movement. Essentially, the fascia board floats on the rim joist while still being safely attached. The drill bit includes a stop collar to prevent you from drilling too deep, as well as a rubber bumper to protect your expensive composite material from any marring or burnishing.
The system is completed with Headcote stainless or epoxy-coated screws. Starborn’s website even provides a virtual tool that allows you to color-match the fasteners based on type of decking and manufacturer. Stainless screws are 9in. by 1-⅞ in., while the epoxy-coated screws are 10 in. by 1-⅞ in.
You can purchase the tool at www.decksdirect.com for about $22. The epoxy-coated screws are also available at the site and run about $16 for a pack of 100, while the stainless screws cost $26 for a pack of 100.
starbornindustries.com/deckfast-fascia-product
Photos courtesy of the manufacturer
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