HOW-TO GUIDES

How to Install a Butt Joint/Seam with the Trex Hideaway® Butt Joint Clip

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Butt joints/seams are a common point of failure on decks due to the complexity required for proper installation. That's why Trex launched the Trex Hideaway® Butt Joint Clip — a specialized hidden fastener designed specifically to simplify the installation of butt joints.

Discover how this innovative design makes installing a butt joint easy, while also saving time and materials.

Disclaimer: Instructions provided by Trex® are based on the build specifications that Trex® demonstrated in the Trex® Academy video series, and are not universal to all homeowners’ projects. A homeowner’s build may vary from Trex’s instructions based on the homeowner’s local municipality requirements, individual design preference, and project specifications. For questions or assistance needed during your project, please reach out to howto@trex.com

2 minutes
*Times may vary
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chapter 01: Why Use the Trex Hideaway Butt Joint Clip?
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A butt joint (also known as a butt seam) refers to where two deck boards meet end to end over a single joist. Butt joints can be used on most decks, and are often used as a simpler alternative to a breaker board.

Traditionally, installing a butt joint requires extra blocking and four fasteners for a secure connection. These extra steps add time to your project and add to your material costs, especially if your project requires a large number of butt joints. Often, proper care is not taken to ensure butt joints are installed correctly, which can result in boards lifting up over time, detracting from the look of the deck and creating a safety hazard.

A Trex Hideaway Butt Joint Clip resting on a joist beam during an install.

The Trex Hideaway Butt Joint Clip is uniquely designed for installing butt joints and offers innovations to reduce the labor and materials needed to fasten a butt joint securely. Each butt joint clip features an extra long center connection piece, also known as its "wings," to engage the grooved edge of the deck boards. This means only one Butt Joint Clip is required per side. Plus, the clip extends out on either side of your joist, using "shoulders" to provide additional support, eliminating the need for extra blocking.

Now that you know how the clip works, let's dive into how to install a butt joint with the Trex Hideaway Butt Joint Clip.


(NOT ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE IN EVERY COUNTRY.)

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