More than a decade ago, Trex — currently the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing — expanded its Hideaway Hidden Fastening System with the introduction of the Universal Fastener, which can be used with most major competitive deck boards.
The the new Trex Universal Fastener Installation Tool was designed to increase application accuracy while reducing installation time in half.
This product was designed in conjunction with contractor feedback to deliver a fast and easy installation while eliminating the excess waste of carrying several product lines’ hidden fasteners.
Now, to further help building professionals optimize cost and time efficiency, Trex has introduced the new Trex Universal Fastener Installation Tool, an innovative accessory designed to increase application ease and accuracy, reducing installation time by up to 50%.
This tool cuts installation time in half by allowing the installer to fully actuate the fastener in one easy step. By using a nose cone to make sure the bit hits the fastener head, as well as a unique drive angle, an installer using this tool can now fully tighten each clip while easily sliding the next board into place.
“At Trex, we are constantly looking at how we can improve the deck building process — not only for consumers but for all the overworked contractors out there,” said Leslie Adkins, VP of marketing for Trex. “These latest innovations do just that by making it easier for builders to work with Trex products and deliver increased quality and satisfaction to their clients.”
Lightweight and durable, the tool also features a rotatable handle that allows for pushing and pulling from a variety of angles, along with a handy bit holder on the underside.
The new Trex tool delivers a simple installation process that allows for a clean, superior, fastener-free deck surface. The Universal Fastener also makes it faster and easier to replace damaged boards, even those in the middle of a deck, resulting in less time spent on callbacks.
“When compared with other installation methods, this inexpensive tool is a tremendous value to installers of any experience level,” added Adkins.
New protective tapes
The makers of Trex Protect Joist & Beam Tape have also created two new products — protective tapes engineered for use on the ledger board and rim joists of wooden decking substructures. Designed to enhance structural integrity, these new tapes provide protection against moisture penetration that can cause water damage and deterioration of a deck’s support system.
“Ask any contractor where a deck is most likely to fail and, chances are, they’ll point to the ledger board,” said Dave Kile, founder of Trex RainEscape, which manufactures Trex Protect and Trex Seal products. “If not properly installed — and protected — this single element can be the downfall of any deck. Our new ledger and rim tapes are engineered to preserve a deck’s integrity and longevity. And, with their easy-to-apply design, there’s no reason for any deck to be left vulnerable to the elements and premature failure.”
The two new tapes include:
- Trex Seal Ledger Tape – Reinforced with an aluminum liner, this 11-inch-wide, butyl-based tape offers a superior alternative to traditional ledger flashing by creating a waterproof barrier that provides complete coverage of the ledger board. It also seals any gaps between the ledger and the substructure for optimal protection. Featuring a convenient 5.5-inch double-release liner, Trex Seal Ledger Tape is easy to apply for accurate installation and is Code AAMA711 compliant.
- Trex Protect Rim Joist Tape – Joining the popular Trex Protect line-up of butyl joist and beam tapes is a new 11-inch-wide option, designed for use on rim joists to create a moisture-proof barrier. The expanded width also makes it ideal for use on stairs and flat-blocked horizontal wood surfaces. Like other Trex Protect products, it can be applied to any wooden deck frame structure and comes with a non-skid surface for added comfort and safety.
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Filed Under: Fastening + joining
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