Composite decking board fastening system

Abstract

A fastening system is provided for securing decking boards to underlying joists for decking applications. In certain example embodiments, substantially U-shaped mounts are provided over the top of respective joists of a deck, and at least double-sided tape is used to adhere overlying composite decking boards to the U-shaped mounts and thus on the joists.

1 . A deck comprising:
 a plurality of substantially parallel joists;   at least some of the joists including polymer-based substantially U-shaped mounts attached to top end portions thereof;   a plurality of composite decking boards arranged crossing over the joists; and   wherein double-sided tape is provided between bottom surfaces of the composite decking boards and the polymer-based substantially U-shaped mounts so as to adhere the decking boards to the joists.   
   
   
       2 . The deck of  claim 1 , wherein on each joist at least one of the substantially U-shaped mounts is located between and contacting: (a) a bottom side of the double-sided tape, and (b) a top end of the joist. 
   
   
       3 . The deck of  claim 2 , wherein the top end of each joist fits into a channel defined between substantially parallel sidewalls of a corresponding substantially U-shaped mount(s) on said joist. 
   
   
       4 . The deck of  claim 1 , wherein the composite decking boards are foamed. 
   
   
       5 . The deck of  claim 1 , wherein the composite decking boards comprise from about 35-75% polymer-based material and from about 25-60% fiber. 
   
   
       6 . The deck of  claim 5 , wherein the polymer-based material includes one or more of polyethylene, polyvinyl-chloride, and polypropylene, and wherein the fiber includes wood fiber and/or glass fiber. 
   
   
       7 . The deck of  claim 5 , wherein the substantially U-shaped mounts comprise polyethylene. 
   
   
       8 . A deck comprising:
 a plurality of substantially parallel joists;   at least some of the joists including substantially U-shaped mounts attached to top end portions thereof;   a plurality of decking boards arranged crossing over the joists; and   wherein double-sided tape is provided between bottom surfaces of the decking boards and the substantially U-shaped mounts so as to adhere the decking boards to the joists.   
   
   
       9 . A joist for use in making a deck, the joist comprising:
 a wood member adapted to be used as a joist in a deck,   a substantially U-shaped mount provided over a top end of the wood member; and   double-sided tape adhered to a surface of the substantially U-shaped mount facing away from the wood member.   
   
   
       10 . The joist of  claim 9 , wherein the substantially U-shaped mount is polymer-based. 
   
   
       11 . The joist of  claim 9 , wherein the substantially U-shaped mount is nailed and/or screwed to the wood member, and comprises polyethylene. 
   
   
       12 . A method of making a deck, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of substantially parallel joists; and   using double-sided tape to attached overlying decking boards to the joists.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing polymer-based substantially U-shaped mounts on top ends of at least some of the joists, so that the tape is located between the substantially U-shaped mounts and bottom sides of the decking boards.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the top end of each joist fits into a channel defined between substantially parallel sidewalls of a corresponding substantially U-shaped mount(s) on the joist. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the decking boards are composite and foamed. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the decking boards are composite and comprise from about 35-75% polymer-based material and from about 25-60% fiber. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the polymer-based material includes one or more of polyethylene, polyvinyl-chloride, and polypropylene, and wherein the fiber includes wood fiber and/or glass fiber.