Frequently Asked Questions:
Wood Compatibility:
QUESTIONANSWER
What deck board thickness can the Tebo install?
  • 3/4"
  • 1"
  • 1 1/2"
    • With which types of deck boards can the Tebo be used? A. Pressure treated
    Do not use boards with dimension 5 5/8" (or Greater) wide
    These boards have excessive moisture and should be dried prior to use.
    B. Cedar, redwood, cypress
    C. Mahogany
    D. Composites
    E. IPE A drill fixture is available for use when check is an issue.
    Will the Tebo Deck work with warped boards? Yes
    Two Tebo fasteners can lock the end of a deck board with proper spacing while you work the board onto the next Tebo.
    What about proper spacing of deck boards? With pressure treated wood the Tebo allows you to drive the deck boards flush, and natural shrinking will create good spacing.
    With other wood and composites, the crown can create a 1/8 spacer between boards.
    Does the Tebo have enough holding power? The Tebo is better than nails and screws, since the Tebo is stainless steel; its strength is better than other materials. Since it locks into the side of the joist and deck boards they can't back out and shrinkage of joist boards actually tightens the Tebo.
    What about cupping, can the Tebo handle this? The Tebo actually helps reduce cupping. Screwed and nailed down boards allow the edges of the deck boards to float and when the boards shrink the outside cup up. Since Tebo attaches to the side of the deck boards, cupping can be greatly reduced.
    Can the Tebo Decker be used with angled deck boards? Yes, most deck board layouts are compatible with the Tebo Decker.
    Product details:
    What is the Tebo made of? 304 Stainless steel, which allows for longevity, wood compatibility with cedar and redwood and the tensile strength allows use with composites.
    How was it developed? A contractor who got tired of seeing fasteners on the face of his decks and callbacks when nails and screws backed out of boards. He worked on developing a hidden fastener that was easy to use. 5 years of development resulted in patents to the Tebo and Tebo Decker.
    How long has it been used? The first decks were built in the beginning of 1999. Follow up tests reveals exceptional performance.
    What is needed to install the Tebo? The Tebo Decker tool comes with a mallet. Tebo fasteners are all you need.
    How long are the legs of the Tebo? The tow legs that go into the joist and deck are a 45 degree angle are 7/8". The third prong leg is 9/16" which allows for plenty of penetration.
    Hidden Fasteners Benefits:
    What are the benefits of hidden fasteners? While appearance is the biggest benefit, many other benefits are included:
    • Safety:
      • You eliminate splinters that occur around nails and screws and can catch bare feet.
      • Nail heads and screws can raise above boards and catch bare feet.
    • Longevity of deck boards:
      • Since nails and screws have a higher chance of splitting deck boards, using the Tebo reduces splitting and increases deck board life.
    • Snow shoveling:
      • While it's not an issue in warmer climates, hitting a nail or screw head with a shovel can be a real annoyance.
    Tebo vs. Other Hidden Fasteners:
    Why should Tebos be used instead of other hidden fastener? This one's easy - easy to use.
    • 1) With other hidden fastener you need to be on your knees or under the decks.
      • The Tebo drives all boards and you install while standing up.
    • 2) All other hidden fasteners require multiple steps to attach the fasteners.
      • The Tebo Decker operates like a hard wood-flooring tool.
      • One strike of the mallet and the Tebo is installed.
    • 3) Speed of installation:
    Is the Tebo expensive? Compared to other hidden fasteners the Tebo costs about the same per square foot. But you save a lot of time (money) on the labor. For a 200 square foot deck using 6" boards you will spend about $120.00 for the Tebos, a small price to pay for a beautiful long lasting deck.


    How many Tebos will I need? *
    NOMINAL WIDTH OF DECK BOARD JOIST SPACING APPROXIMATE FASTENERS
    PER SQUARE FOOT
    4" deck board 16" on center = 2.6 / sq. ft.
    4" deck board 12" on center = 3.4 / sq. ft.
    6" deck board 24" on center = 1.1 / sq. ft.
    6" deck board 16" on center = 1.6 / sq. ft.
    6" deck board 12" on center = 2.2 / sq. ft.
    * This will vary slightly depending on design variables