Trex Hideaway Hidden Fastening System

Trex Hideaway delivers what every deck builder wants — a hidden fastener system that actually works with multiple brands of grooved composite decking, not just Trex’s own boards. The optional one-step installation tool cuts labor time by up to 50%, which matters when you’re looking at 500 square feet of decking on a hot July afternoon in Montana.

Skip it if you’re still running face screws and don’t care about the mushrooming or visible fastener heads. The pre-installed screws make installation straightforward, but the higher initial cost compared to face screws only makes sense for customers who value the clean look.

Installation Efficiency That Actually Matters

The genius of this system sits in those pre-installed screws — no fumbling with separate fasteners while holding clips in place. Grab the optional installation tool and you’re cutting installation time by half. That’s not marketing fluff. At 1.8 clips per square foot, you’re placing 90 clips for every 50 square feet of decking. Without that tool, you’re looking at 90 individual screw operations. With it, the process becomes mechanical — slide, click, next board.

The clips themselves are glass-filled nylon (UV and impact resistant) with 304-grade stainless steel screws. That stainless steel matters in Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles. Regular coated screws start showing rust streaks after a few winters. These won’t.

The self-gapping hardware creates automatic 1/4-inch spacing between boards — perfect for snow and ice drainage without measuring every gap. Installation runs simple: starter clips at the deck edge, slide your first board in, drop a clip at each joist, tighten until snug, slide the next board. The rhythm builds fast.

Compatibility Beyond Trex

This system works with all Trex grooved decking lines (Transcend, Enhance, Select) plus most other brands of 1-inch grooved composite decking. That flexibility matters when customers already have TimberTech or Fiberon sitting in their yard from a previous project phase.

Standard pressure-treated framing takes the regular clips. Steel framing requires the ELV-series clips designed for Trex Elevations. The system handles both residential and commercial projects, whether you’re building over wood joists or steel.

Component	Coverage/Contents	Application
50 sq ft Combo Pack	90 Universal Clips, 4 Starter Clips, 1 Drive Bit	Small decks, repairs
500 sq ft Bucket	900 Universal Clips, 1 Drive Bit	Full deck builds
Coverage Rate	1.8 clips per square foot	All applications

The Butt Joint Solution

Here’s where Trex solved a real problem. The Butt Joint Clip eliminates double joisting at board seams. Traditional hidden fastener systems require blocking or a sister joist where boards meet end-to-end. These extra-wide wing clips span the gap. Every 50-square-foot combo pack includes 4 starter clips, which tells you they’re thinking about real-world framing.

No more calculating extra joists. No more doubling up lumber at every seam. The labor savings compound — less framing material, fewer cuts, cleaner joist layout. For a 500-square-foot deck with staggered seams, you’re eliminating dozens of blocking pieces.

Specification	Value
Gap Width	1/4 inch (6.35 mm)
Box Dimensions (90 ct)	5.63” H × 3.63” W × 6.38” D
Weight (90 ct)	1.35 lb
Standards Compliance	ASTM D7032

Compared to face screws, you get better aesthetics with no mushrooming or screw pops, plus uniform gapping. Against Camo edge fasteners, Trex wins on speed — no jig required for every screw. The pre-installed screws eliminate the separate operation that makes other hidden systems tedious.

The warranty backs up the engineering: 25-year limited residential, 10-year commercial, transferable once within 5 years of purchase. Installation must follow current Trex instructions — no shortcuts if you want warranty coverage.

FAQ

What decking brands work with Hideaway clips? Compatible with all Trex grooved decking (Transcend, Enhance, Select) and most other brands of 1-inch grooved composite decking. The universal groove design fits the industry-standard slot dimensions.

Does this system need special framing? Standard pressure-treated wood framing works fine. Steel framing requires specific ELV-series clips designed for the different attachment requirements of metal joists.

What’s the actual time savings with the installation tool? Up to 50% reduction in labor time with the one-step tool. On a typical 20×25 deck, that’s the difference between a day and a half versus three days of clip installation.

How many clips should be ordered? Plan on 1.8 clips per square foot — that’s 90 clips per 50 square feet of decking. Round up for waste and field adjustments.

What makes the Butt Joint Clip special? The extra-wide wing design eliminates the need for double joisting or blocking where boards meet end-to-end. Saves lumber and framing time while maintaining full support at seams.