Here, Eva-Last, a building composite materials company, outlines the vital components of wood-based constructions, including the materials and fixings which should be used, such as its range of Hulk Fasteners specifically designed to prevent construction failures from rust, corrosion and weather exposure.
Hulk Fasteners composite trim and deck screws come in a range of colours to suit any composite decking, making an aesthetic finish with matching fasteners. Included in the Hulk Fasteners range is the new Chain Collated Clip, which is a technological improvement on previous hidden deck clips, both in product design and ease of installation. Chain Collated Clips are made using a stainless-steel plate which is covered in a weather resistant polymer.
This new hidden fastener for grooved deck boards can be used on various materials and groove depths, making it a versatile solution. “Chain Collated Clips require no pre-drilling, to save time and labour. And now with the addition of Chain Collated Clips’ small, specialised hand tool, installation of hidden fasteners is more efficient than ever before,” says Shaun Erasmus, product director for Hulk Fasteners at building materials group Eva-Last.
The Hulk Fasteners range includes options for both metal and timber applications in stainless and carbon steel, providing options for any installation. “Today’s building projects are designed for a lifetime of enjoyment, but this is only possible if the fasteners are up to the task. They may be small and designed to blend or be completely hidden from sight, but fasteners play a crucial role in the performance of composite products, year after year,” Erasmus says.
The expanding market for composite decking and building materials has been driven by rapid advancements in technology. Where natural timber used to be the preferred material for aesthetically pleasing features, such as decks, composites have superseded wood in both longevity of appearance and structural performance.
Composite materials are now available with industry leading warranties up to several decades long; demonstrating their resistance to weathering, low maintenance requirements and incredible structural performance. Wooden decks, by comparison, are prone to performance drawbacks from fading or cracking, warping, splitting and rotting. They also require ongoing costly maintenance to keep them in a useable condition.
While it is relatively easy to compare the surface appearance and performance of composite boards, the performance of certain crucial elements of construction – the fasteners – usually go unnoticed unless they are at a state of failure and boards are lifting or becoming hazardous. Typically, wooden fasteners begin to rust over time and their hold on timber weakens through heating and cooling cycles as the materials expand and contract. This can cause dangerous situations where nail or screw heads become exposed.
“By comparison, Hulk Fasteners are custom engineered to prevent a build-up of debris, resist rust and even during expansion and contraction of boards will remain in place to maximise the aesthetic appeal of the composite boards themselves,” says Shaun Erasmus. “Hulk Fasteners were created to prevent deck failures through corrosion and constant expansion and contraction of decking boards through seasonal changes. Every product in the Hulk Fasteners range has been carefully designed and manufactured to suit a specific composite application and is impervious to even the harshest weather.”
Becca is the latest member to join our team and is eager to get stuck into the world of fasteners. She brings an enthusiastic and fresh outlook on what we do editorially and will be leading our social media activity – including sourcing material, editing articles and posting online.
