James Denton recently undertook the task to rebuild his existing deck. It was important to the family that their deck was built safely and would be enjoyed for many years to come.

The original deck had decking boards that were nailed in and over time, the nails were coming up – creating a hazard for the family. Although James completed various interim solutions to fix the issue, it was ultimately decided for a complete overhaul of the back deck.

Not only was it an opportunity to have a safe and functionally sound deck, but it also allowed the space to be modernised and serve as an area to entertain and relax.

Using treated pine for the frame and 140mm Merbau boards for decking, James chose Buildex^® Landscaping Screws to secure the outside boards to ensure it was all square before laying the new boards. “The landscape screws are very strong and after using them for previous projects, I knew it was perfect for what we needed”.

To secure the decking boards down, James opted for the new Buildex^® Self-Drilling Decking Screws.

“It was my first time using the Buildex^® Self-Drilling decking screws and now that I have used them, I will use them forever. Saving time not pre-drilling and changing drills was a massive time saver.” explains James.

Buildex^® Self-Drilling decking screws live up to its name. This new decking screw incorporates several design features that deliver self-drilling non-split properties, speed, and ease of installation – resulting in a beautiful finish and giving you valuable time back.

“I mostly did this project on my own, so I had to lay all the boards after work and on weekends while juggling kid commitments. Having a time saver in the self-drilling screws was so helpful and made the project finish time much better!”

Finishing off the deck, James opted for an Intergrain natural oil to show off the natural beauty of the timber. The results truly speak for themselves. An oasis in his own backyard that James and his family can enjoy for years to come.

View the amazing results below.

BEFORE

AFTER

The post Save time with Buildex™ appeared first on ITW Proline.

It’s entertaining time! Here’s what you need to do to create an oasis in your backyard and get your back deck in order.

1. New decks

Looking to build a new deck? Before you start, it’s a good idea to check your local council to see if you need approval, as this is sometimes necessary. Unapproved additions can hurt your home’s resale value. Most decks will need proper footings and an experienced builder, although places such as Bunnings and Ikea have modular decking systems that are easy to construct for the home handyperson and are an especially good choice for small courtyards or those without a deep ground clearance.

2. Select the Right Fixings

It’s important to choose the right fastener for your chosen deck – go for quality every time to ensure corrosion resistance, strength and versatility. After all, you want to make sure your deck lasts beyond this year and into many summers to come. Our Buildex®, Zenith® and CAMO® ranges include a wide variety of fixings and fasteners suitable for timber, composite and PVC surfaces and all come in different sizes to accommodate wide and narrow boards. They also suit a variety of hardwood and softwood timbers.

3. The best timbers for your deck

Treated pine and hardwood timbers are the best types of wood to use for decking as they are hardwearing and weather-resistant. Check that the fastenings you choose are suitable – many cheaper screws won’t work with hardwoods or are not suitable for outside use. Buildex’s Climacoat® on our decking products offers protection again the elements and is well worth the investment.

4. Handrails

There are a few regulatory guidelines for decks so you should check with the relevant government standards before you start. Generally, handrails are required for decks that are more than one metre from the ground and the handrail itself should stand a minimum of one metre from the surface of the deck. Balustrades should have no spacings greater than 125mm to prevent large objects (or young children) falling through.

5. Looking after your deck

Once your deck is built, spring is the perfect time to modernise your outdoor entertaining area. Consider including the Camo hidden deck fastening system to create a fastener-free deck surface, or try Buildex’s new Black Decking Screws for a modern look and feel. It’s also a great time to update any outdoor soft furnishings such as cushions or furniture – or even a couple of potted plants full of some bright and cheery summer colour.

6. Safety check

Before summer starts, it’s a good idea to take a good look at your deck to check that everything is in order. Check all timber underfoot and handrails and sand back if necessary to prevent splinters. Check to ensure there are no nails or screws sticking up and replace with high-quality screws, such as Buildex’s new Self-Drilling Decking Screws to ensure the fastenings will go the distance.

7. Maintaining your deck

It’s a good idea to move furniture and potted plants around frequently throughout the year to prevent mildew. If any occurs, wash the deck thoroughly with a deck cleaner. A specialist deck cleaner is worth investing in and using once a year, but hot soapy water and a brush is adequate for small areas.

And the last step? Break out the barbie (and perhaps a beer) and enjoy the best of the warm weather in your new spruced up space!

WORDS: Lynne Testoni

The post 7 things you need to know when building a deck appeared first on ITW Proline.

The Ramset™ Masonry Screw should be a staple in your toolbox. With its multi-purpose features, the Masonry Screw is an ideal solution when fixing into substrates such as concrete, brick (both hollow and solid) and stone.

We know that time on site can be limited so working with hardware that is easy-to-use, quick to install and allows for flexibility in applications were recognised when we bought the Ramset™ Masonry Screw to market.

With the tradesman in mind, the Masonry Screw delivers a seamless experience, as it can be used in close-to-edge fixing (minimum 60mm) as well as close-to-anchor fixing (minimum 35mm). It is 100% removable creating flexibility during and after construction and it can self-embed into timber fixtures.

Furthermore, with its Mechanical Galvanized Class 3 properties, the Masonry screw is ideal for both internal and external applications – allowing for moderate levels of airborne pollution whilst minimising the effects of corrosion.

In each box of Ramset™ Masonry Screws, you will receive one drive bit to ensure you have the right components for the job.

Perfect for fixing into timber battens, metal brackets, fixtures, metal plates, hinges plus door and window frames, the Ramset™ Masonry Screw will have you covered for a variety of jobs.

All Key Features:

Easy installation (the rotation setting method is subject to low expansive pressure that doesn’t burst the substrate)

100% removable

Close-to-edge fixing (minimum 60mm)

Close-to-anchor fixing (minimum 35mm)

Mechanical Galvanised Class 3 (for both external and internal applications)

Flat, shallow countersunk head allows use in both countersunk and non-countersunk applications

Self-embedding into timber fixtures

Star T30 drive (one drive bit included in each box)

6mm pilot hole required

Holds up to 120kg (maximum load in 25MPA concrete)

Choose the versatile & dependable Ramset Masonry Screw for your next project. Available now for purchase at your local hardware store.

Established in Australia sixty years ago, Ramset™ has built a strong and enviable reputation for developing, manufacturing and supplying the building and construction industry with leading edge drilling, anchoring and fixing products.

The Ramset™ comprehensive range includes:

Powder and Gas Actuated Fastening Systems

Power Tools

Chemical Anchoring

Construction Chemicals

Fire Protection Systems

Mechanical Anchoring and Screws

Cable, Pipe and Conduit Fixing Systems

Ramset™ prides itself in its commitment to quality and its position as a motivated and progressive company dedicated to the highest standards.

The post Multipurpose with the Ramset™ Masonry Screw appeared first on ITW Proline.

With the movement towards dark accents and streamlined details in residential buildings, the release of Buildex’s new Black Decking Screws is both timely and clever.

Builder Darren Brown of 1Decks, has been working in carpentry and decking for almost 20 years and says that he has never been busier than the last 18 months as Australian homeowners look to update their exterior spaces, instead of taking their usual overseas trips.

“No one is taking holidays,” he says. “They are all renovating instead.”

Brown is a big fan of Buildex products, and has been using the existing stainless steel decking screws for the past few years. He has been trialling the new Black Decking Screws with recent projects and thinks they will be very popular with his customers.

Matte black finishes has been a key trend for some time in interior design, but it’s a style and look that has moved to exteriors, including guttering, trims, door hardware and hinges.

VIEW THE RANGE HERE

“When we do storage units or bench seats with lids, some people are now opting for matte black hinges and locks,” explains Brown. “Sometimes it can be jarring if everything is matte black and then you’ve got those stainless steel screws fixing everything off. These new screws give you a really good alternative.”

Brown says the Buildex screws are great because of their T20 star drive, which almost totally eliminates stripping. He previously used the square drives, but changed to T20 star drives about five years ago and hasn’t looked back.

“With the square drives I reckon you would probably snap about three bits in a 20 sqm deck,” he says. “And a lot of time they would snap in the screw and you can’t get it out. However, I think I’ve snapped one T20 Star bit in five years. They are so much better.”

The new Black Decking Screws have a reinforced head and larger shank to provide greater strength, making them suitable for fixing hardwood or treated pine decking boards to softwood and hardwood floor joists. The clearing thread minimises driving torque at the final stage of installation. It also features a coarse thread for faster installation and a Type 17 point, which allows a quicker pick up.

The black screws also have a Climacoatâ 3 finish to provide protection against corrosion in treated pine such as ACQ, which is a common softwood used in most general outdoor applications, including decking, pergolas, trellises, lattice, fencing, pickets as well as outdoor furniture.

Brown says that during his trials with the new Buildex Black Decking Screws, he really worked them hard, trying to deliberately strip the colour when using them for decking, something he would not normally do. He says that the colour remained despite his efforts.

“I found the colour was quite embedded inside so they’re really good quality decking screws,” he says.

Aesthetically, the decking screws tick all the boxes, including a countersunk rib head for a clean, flush finish.

Brown predicts the new fixings will be ideal for carpenters, builders and landscapers, allowing them to balance quality performance with the good looks demanded by their customers.

VIEW THE RANGE HERE

WORDS: Lynne Testoni

The post All in the details: NEW Black Decking Screws appeared first on ITW Proline.

Builder Darren Brown installs hardwood boards using Buildex self-drilling decking screws.

Finding the balance between speed, clean countersinking and a quality finish is the key to laying a deck. But even with the best tools and years of experience, a skilled tradesperson can strip screws or split boards.

The solution is to use a fastener that avoids this. “I’ve found using Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screws instantly minimises the usual splitting and breakout problems. They halve the installation time because there’s no need to pre-drill or pre-countersink,” says builder Darren Brown, who cut and installed the boards for this 36m² deck in just a day and a half.

“On this job, I used Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screws to install red ironbark, one of the densest hardwoods, and didn’t split a single board.” – Darren Brown, builder

Other standard decking screws require pre-drilling and pre-countersinking that can cause breakout and often split the boards

ISSUES WITH LAYING A DECK

Timber splits when the screw applies too much outward pressure, too fast. To overcome this, especially when working with hardwood, builders traditionally pre-drilled and countersunk holes. But drilling first, then driving screws doubles the time it takes to lay decking.

The other issue is stripping, caused when the torque forces the drill bit to wear down the grip in the screw head, making it difficult to remove.

“But this is solved with the Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screw,” says Darren. “It’s specifically designed for fastening hardwood and treated pine deck boards to treated pine joists.” – Darren Brown, builder

”I love the speed that these allow me to work. I’ve used other decking screws and found they’re not as efficient, and the finish is no where near as neat.” – Darren Brown, builder

The self-centering recess star-drive head allows for twice the torque than square drive screws while reducing cam-out.

WHY THIS SCREW WORKS

According to Darren it’s the clever design of the Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screw that halves installation time. “It addresses the three stages of installing a screw – self-drilling, driving and countersinking – making each stage faster and more accurate.”

From the quick-drive point to the trim head, every element of this screw is designed for efficiency, speed and a clean finish.

Here’s the breakdown…

➀ QUICK-DRIVE POINT allows for exact positioning and stops the screw from walking. The drilling point penetrates more than halfway through the board before the thread engages, so there’s less resistance.

➁ SUPER THREAD draws out the fibres to reduce driving torque, resulting in smoother installation.

➂ COURSE CUTTING THREAD slices timber into tiny fibres to reduce the potential for splitting the board. Darren says, “It also increases the pull-down strength for a faster drive.”

➃ CLEARING THREAD enlarges the hole to reduce friction on the shank as the screw begins to countersink.

➄ CUTTING NIBS under the head cut away the surface fibres, preparing a recess the same diameter as the head for a flush finish that self-sets the screw, eliminating the need for separate pre-drilling and pre-countersinking.

➅ TRIM HEAD minimises pressure on the board when embedding to sit flush with the surface. “It’s neat and discrete and really enhances the overall finish of the deck,” says Darren.

➆ T20 STAR DRIVE RECESS reduces cam-out by providing a firm grip and is less inclined to strip the head than a recess square drive. It requires less torque and less pressure on the drill to maintain contact with the screw.

The decking screw does all the work, so no need to apply heavy pressure on the drill.

PRO DRIVING TIPS

When drilling, Darren recommends using an impact driver at a fast speed. “Drive the screw continuously, without breaks, slowing down towards the end when the head is about to embed.”

He says, “The trick is to let the screw do the work for you, there’s no need to push down too much on the drill.”

TIP An impact driver combines a hammer action with rotation to create more torque than a regular drill, so you don’t need to press down hard to keep the bit in contact with the screw or to drive it through hardwood. This reduces fatigue and can be used one-handed, great for hard-to-reach areas.

Each box of Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screws includes a T20 star driver bit.

Made of stainless steel 304, the Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screw is corrosion-resistant and won’t break if there’s movement in the deck.

Choose 10G x 55mm or 10G x 65mm stainless steel screws, in packs of 50 or a box of 500, each with a T20 star driver bit. All you need is an impact driver.

Not just for decking, Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screws make light work of timber cladding and built-in hardwood structures.

“The screws are handy for working vertically to put up screening, trellises and lattice. They also slice construction time off building pergolas and fencing,” says Darren. “And the trim head adds a nice, professional finish to handcrafted outdoor furniture.”

Delivering improved productivity and superior performance. Get the job done right – first time, every time. Choose Buildex® Self-Drilling Decking Screws for your next project!

CREDIT:

WORDS Natasha Dickins

PHOTOGRAPHY Onsight Films

The post 7 reasons to use Buildex Self-Drilling Decking Screws appeared first on ITW Proline.