How Many Hidden Deck Fasteners Do I Need?
One of the first questions customers ask before starting a deck project is, "How many fasteners do I need?"
The answer depends on the size of your deck, the spacing of your joists, and the type of Invisi-Fast fastener you plan to use. Fortunately, estimating your fastener requirements is fairly simple.
The first step is to determine the total square footage of your deck. Simply multiply the length by the width.
For example:
12 feet × 16 feet = 192 square feet
Once you know the square footage, you can estimate the number of fasteners required.
For decks built with standard 12-inch joist spacing:
- Original Invisi-Fast Fasteners: approximately 1.75 fasteners per square foot
- Biscuit Fasteners: approximately 1.75 fasteners per square foot
- Angle Fasteners: approximately 2 fasteners per square foot
Using the example above:
192 square feet × 1.75 = 336 fasteners
In this case, one 500-piece kit would be sufficient for either the Original or Biscuit fasteners.
For Angle Fasteners:
192 square feet × 2 = 384 fasteners
A single 400-piece kit would typically be enough.
Keep in mind that stairs, picture framing, start and stop locations, and other custom deck features may require additional fasteners. It is always a good idea to order a few extra fasteners to avoid running short during installation.
To make estimating even easier, we have created an Invisi-Fast Fastener Calculator that will automatically calculate your fastener requirements based on your deck dimensions and selected fastener type.
Whether you are building a small backyard deck or a large custom project, planning ahead can help ensure your installation goes smoothly from start to finish.