Installation

Has anyone tried the new deck-drive polymer clips on Red Balau?

S
Sam Whitfield

I am about two weeks out from starting a 900sqft Red Balau build in a high-moisture coastal zone. Usually, I stick to face-screwing with 2-1/2 inch 316 stainless screws because the board movement on Balau can be brutal, but the client is insisting on a fastener-free surface. I am looking at the new heavy-duty polymer hidden clips, but I am worried about the expansion cycles once the tropical sun hits this material. Has anyone run these on Balau specifically? I am concerned about the clips snapping or the edges mushrooming if the boards decide to shift during the first big humidity spike. I typically gap these at 1/4 inch, but I am not sure if these clips allow for enough float. Any tips on avoiding the inevitable call-back would be appreciated. Is it worth the risk, or should I push back for a face-fastened look?

1 Reply

K
Kevin Doyle

Listen, I’ve worked plenty of high-moisture coastal Red Balau jobs, and I wouldn't trust a polymer clip to hold that movement. Even the best clips will snap or lose tension when Balau decides to cup or shrink, and you’ll be on the hook for the repair. If the client demands a clean surface, stick to the stainless steel proprietary hidden fastener systems designed specifically for hardwoods—like the DeckWise Ipe Clip Extreme or a biscuit-style install—but honestly, face-screwing with 316 stainless is your only guaranteed insurance against those coastal humidity swings. Don't risk the call-back on 900 square feet; tell them it’s for structural integrity, not just aesthetics.

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