The wrong screw mushrooms the board surface, voids your warranty, and stands out at five feet. We carry two leading color-match systems — Trex Hideaway® (OEM, exact match) and Starborn CAP-TOR® xd (universal, 23 colors, 305 stainless) — plus hidden fasteners, plugs, and structural hardware from FastenMaster, Simpson Strong-Tie, and MiTek. Use the color finder below to match screws to any Trex board in seconds.
Select your decking brand, then your board color — we'll show you exactly which screw to order.
Select a board color to see your screw match
Made by Trex, for Trex. Uses the same Phillips HEXSTIX® drive system and is precision-matched to every Trex decking color — Signature, Transcend, Lineage, Select, and Enhance. Reverse-thread underhead prevents mushrooming. UV protection in every screw.
The go-to composite screw for multi-brand projects. Type 305 stainless steel with epoxy color coating — 23 colors that match Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK, and virtually every other composite brand. Undercut head for capstock, reverse thread for clean drive.
Stainless steel clips that attach between grooved-edge boards from beneath — zero visible fasteners on the deck surface. Self-gapping design maintains proper drainage spacing automatically.
Made from the same shellstock and embossing rolls as Trex decking boards. Perfect color and grain texture match — plugs disappear into the board surface. Available for every Trex color.
Full 316 or 305 stainless steel for coastal, poolside, and high-moisture applications. Zero corrosion risk, no rust bleed, and compatible with all composite and PVC decking boards. FastenMaster is one of the primary lines we stock for these applications.
High-strength structural screws for deck framing connections. FastenMaster and Simpson Strong-Tie options are built for treated lumber compatibility and code-recognized structural connections. Replace structural nails in many deck framing applications.
The screw finder is useful, but real deck hardware takeoffs often need more than one fastener family. Match the system by brand, board profile, color, and install detail before ordering.
A hidden face-fastening system for composite and PVC deck boards where clips are not the right detail. Cortex uses screws plus matching plugs so stairs, borders, breaker boards, and square-edge zones still finish cleanly.
CAMO covers edge-screw installs and grooved-board clip systems for builders who want a clean surface without relying on one decking brand. Good for takeoffs that need WEDGECLIP, EDGE Clip, EDGEX, starter clips, or edge screws.
TimberTech fastening should be matched to the collection: TOPLoc for color-matched face fastening, Cortex for plugged locations, and CONCEALoc/EDGELoc/FUSIONLoc/SIDELoc where grooved profiles allow hidden clips.
Simpson Strong-Tie covers composite deck screws, wood screws, connector fasteners, and structural fastening systems. The important part is using the right fastener for the connector or board, not just grabbing a similar-looking screw.
Fascia boards move differently than deck boards, so fascia screws and plug systems need the right head style, spacing, and color. This is the detail that keeps stair skirts and rim covers from looking wavy or patched together.
Deck screws are not structural screws. Ledger screws, beam screws, timber screws, connector screws, and post hardware fasteners need to be selected around the framing detail and treated-lumber compatibility.
| Material | Trex Hideaway® | Starborn CAP-TOR® | Hidden Clips | Plugs | Stainless | Structural |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composite Decking (grooved) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Composite Decking (square edge) | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| PVC / Cellular PVC Decking | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — |
| Pressure-Treated Lumber (framing) | — | — | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cedar / Redwood Decking | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Composite Fascia Boards | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — |
Set your first board tight to the house ledger or rim joist. Face-screw or clip at both ends and at every joist.
Use a depth setter or drill stop to dial in consistent depth. You want the head flush — not proud, not sunken.
Drive perpendicular to the board. Angled screws pull the board sideways and leave a gap. Square is fast and clean.
Pre-drill within 1" of board ends to prevent splitting, even with self-drilling tips. Two screws per joist, per board.
For hidden fasteners: clip snaps into the groove, pre-set screw drives down with one motion using the installation tool.
Drill 3/8" countersink to exact depth, drive screw, tap plug flush with a rubber mallet. No adhesive needed.
Trex Hideaway screws are made by Trex specifically for Trex decking — perfect color match, matched warranty, same HEXSTIX drive system. Starborn CAP-TOR® xd is a universal composite screw in 305 stainless with epoxy color coating — 23 colors that match virtually every composite brand including Trex. Both are excellent; Trex Hideaway is the OEM choice for Trex-on-Trex, Starborn is preferred for multi-brand projects or when you want stainless construction.
Most quality composite deck screws are self-drilling and don't require pre-drilling in the field. However, always pre-drill within 1 inch of board ends to prevent splitting. Starborn's Type 17 auger tip and Trex's HEXSTIX drive both reduce the risk of end-splitting.
Standard installation uses 2 screws per joist, per board. For 5.5" boards on 16" center joists, figure roughly 350 screws per 100 sq ft. Always buy 10% extra. Use the calculator below for your exact dimensions.
For 1" composite boards into standard 1.5" dimensional lumber joists, use 2-3/8" to 2-1/2" screws. For thicker boards (1-1/4"), use 2-3/4" to 3". Both Trex Hideaway and Starborn come in standard composite lengths.
Yes — stainless is the best choice for coastal and poolside applications. Starborn CAP-TOR® xd is Type 305 stainless with an epoxy color coat. For extreme coastal exposure, upgrade to 316 stainless (FastenMaster options we carry).
Hidden fasteners clip between grooved-edge boards and attach from underneath — leaving a clean, screw-free surface. Face screws go through the top of the board and are visible, though color-matched plugs can hide them. Hidden fasteners deliver the cleanest look; face screws are faster to install and work with square-edge boards.
Tell us your decking brand, board color, and joist spacing — we'll spec the right fastener system and quantity. Free, no pressure.
Hardware choices are where clean installs and long-term durability either happen or quietly fall apart.
Use joist tape, flashing tape, ledger flashing, and waterproofing details to protect the frame before boards go down.
Read guide → FastenersMatch screws, plugs, structural fasteners, and hidden fastening systems to the decking brand and board profile.
Read guide → StructurePlan joist hangers, post bases, ledger connectors, straps, ties, and structural screws for the deck frame.
Read guide →