Ipe Clip Kits

Hidden Deck Fastener Kits

All Hidden Deck Fasteners sold by Albany County Fasteners are proudly Made in the USA.

Ipe Clip Kits offer everything you need to get started on a Hidden Deck Fastener System. Black Stainless Steel Ipe Deck Clips with a protective colored polymer coating, as well as all of the additional fasteners required for an Ipe assembly. Ipe clip kits contain Ipe Deck Clips, Trim Head Stainless Steel Deck Screws, Ipe Plugs, Bits and spacers depending upon the kit desired.

Ipe Clips, also known as hidden deck fasteners or hidden deck screws are used to install the boards of a deck to the main beams. Ipe Clips are used with pre-grooved boards (sometimes called Ipe Wood) as part of a hidden deck fastening system. For boards that are not grooved, slots for these clips can be added quickly with the use of a biscuit joiner or router.

Each Ipe Clip attaches a deck board to a joist or beam with the use of a 45 degree deck screw on one side. The clip's polymer coating is colored, often as well as the screw, to be as inconspicuous as possible and provide a smooth, clean, finished look. The Included Deck Screws can come in either 305 or 316 stainless steel.

Ipe Clip Sizing:

	Ipe Clip EXTREME Automatically spaces deck boards at 3/32" (2,4mm) For use with air dried hardwood, composite, or PVC decking
	Ipe Clip EXTREME Tall Automatically spaces deck boards at 3/32" (2,4mm) For use with air dried hardwood, composite, or PVC decking Tall leg height = .375" (9,525 mm
	Ipe Clip EXTREME 4 Automatically spaces deck boards at 5/32" (4mm) For use with air/kiln dried hardwood, composite, or PVC decking
	Ipe Clip EXTREME KD Automatically spaces deck boards at 1/4" (6,4mm) For use with kiln dried hardwood, composite, or PVC decking

How To Install Ipe Clip Hidden Deck Fasteners:

Printable Ipe Clip Installation Guide - A Printable Guide with Pictures

1. Drill a 1/8" Pilot Hole - Use a 1/8" drill bit to pre-drill pilot holes every 24” along the ledger board to secure the starter board. Drill deep enough to penetrate the deck board and not the underlying ledger. All Ipe Clip Kits 175 count and up incluide a 1/8" high speed drill bit. We recommend using the Drill and Drive 3 in 1 Bit Set which includes a 1/8" drill bit, a 3/8" countersink bit and a T15 driver to help speed up this process.
2. Drill a 3/8" countersink hole, about 3/8" deep - Use a 3/8" countersink bit to bore a hole approximately 1/4" to 3/8" deep (depending on your deck board thickness) for each screw to be hidden by a hardwood plug. Be sure your countersink bit is sharp and leaves a clean edge.
3. Install Hidden Deck Screws Through the Countersunk Hole - Firmly drive a deck screw into the countersunk hole and into the joist the board is being attached to. All Ipe Clip Kits in this selection contain extra deck screws for the first and last boards.
4. Insert the Plugs - Prepare the countersunk hole with a drop of wood glue. This keeps the plug from popping up after installation, as well as creating a moisture barrier for both the wood and the screw. Next, insert a tapered hardwood plug into the hole and tap it with a hammer to make sure that it fits snugly into the hole. Make sure to wipe away any excess glue that may squeeze out. After the glue has completely cured (we recommend 24 hours to make sure), flush cut any excess plug material protruding above the surface of the deck. This can be done using a flush cut pull saw, belt sander or an orbital sander with 80 grit sand paper. Finally, sand smooth all areas where a hardwood plug was installed so the plug is flush with deck surface. A round, random orbit sander with 120 grit sand paper works best.
5. Cut Slots into Deck Boards for Ipe Clips -Use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32" X 1/2" slot cutting bit) to cut a slot in the edge of deck board above each joist. You will want to center this groove in the board so there is a symmetrical profile for best results.
   Router bits designed for this exact task can be found here. Many Decking material suppliers now offer pre-slotted deck boards which eliminates this step.
6. Pre Drill a Pilot Hole - Insert one Ipe Clip into the groove of the deck board above each joist. Only one clip is needed where two boards meet on a single joist. Pre-drill a 1/8" pilot hole at a 45° angle for each screw when installing Ipe Clip fasteners into hardwood decking. You only need to pre-drill through the hardwood, not into the joist. Pre-drilling avoids splintering and ensures the decking is pulled tight to the joist by the screw in the next step.
7. Secure the Fastener (Hardwood Decking) - Run a stainless steel screw at approximately a 45° angle through the hole in the center of the Ipe Clip, through the pre-drilled deck board, and down into the joist. It should not take much downward pressure to tighten the deck board. Once the board is snug to the joist you can install another clip over the next joist. A screw gun with an adjustable clutch works best for this by turning the clutch down to avoid over driving screws. Secure each board using one fastener and one screw per joist. Where two boards meet on a single joist, the preferred method is to use a sister joist parallel to the main joist. Install 2 Ipe Clips — one on each joist — where the boards meet. However, only one centered fastener can be installed at their meeting point.
8. Secure the Fastener (Composite / PVC Decking) - Run a stainless steel screw straight down through the center of the Ipe Clip, into the joist below. It should not take much torque to secure the deck board. Once the board is snug to the joist you can install another clip on the next joist. A screw gun with an adjustable clutch setting is best to avoid overdriving screws. Fasten each board using one fastener and one screw per joist.
9. Install the Next Board Over The exposed Clip - Slide the next deck board onto the installed Ipe Clip protruding from the previous deck board. Again, if pre-grooved decking is not being used, use a biscuit jointer or a router (with a 5/32" X 1/2" slot cutting bit) to cut a slot into the edge of this deck board above each joist. Keep in mind, the board will not need a screw on this side as it slips over the clip. This next board will again have hidden fasteners installed on the opposite edge for fastening, and so forth.
   NOTE: When using ExtremeKD or Extreme4 hidden deck fasteners, use the board spacer tools provided to ensure fastener spacer legs are not overly compressed while installing deck boards. Remove spacer tools after each deck board is fastened.
10. The Final Board - On the last deck board, fastening clips will not be used and it will be necessary to fasten the outside edge with face screws every 24 inches. Optionally, these screws can be concealed by countersinking a 3/8” hole and using hardwood plugs supplied. It is also recommended to apply a small amount of construction adhesive on the outside joists for leveling and to reduce possible noise.