Splintering, Nail popping, Cracking, Aesthetics issues, Water traps

OUR SOLUTIONS:

Grad® clips are hidden under the boards and do not damage boards before their first utilization, they will not create splinters or water traps unlike board pre-drilling would do

The Grad system often preserves the integrity of the surface material

No screws, no drilling = no splinters = smoother and safer surface all around for enhanced board durability

The clips are made of material that is not affected by humidity. They will not become brittal, and will keep their elasticity as they remain hidden below the boards and are kept away from UV light

For cladding: the rails ensure a constant distance and deliver a regular air gap between the back of the outer cladding

Water always flows down through this gap

For vertical cladding (requiring rails to be fastened horizontally across studs): no 2 rails are ever fastened one after one: there is always a gap between two rails meaning that water would thin out before dropping down this gap

Rails can be applied directly onto the prepared wall for vertical cladding, the rails have been profiled so that to ensure minimum water retention and to let water flow down. It is also important to note that walls are rarely straight and very often, when rails are applied on walls, there is gap between the rails and the wall they are on

Clip melting point: 165°C (329°F)

Aluminum melting point: 655°C (1211°F)

According to US good practices: the gap between the back of the outer cladding and the wall should be min 3/8”

SOLUTIONS:

Control: two grooves are profiled all along the underside of the boards thus cutting through its mass. The clips fit into the boards like harpoons, cannot be removed easily, and do not constrain the sides of the board like standard clips do. The grad clips are isostatic (they can wiggle a bit) and control warping better as they accompany the natural phenomenon without preventing it fully

Ventilation: each board is sitting onto the clip, never directly onto the ground or the joists themselves, there is always a gap equivalent to the height of the clip (15/64’’)

SOLUTIONS:

Ventilation: when anchored onto the clips, each board is sitting onto the clip, never directly onto the ground or the joists themselves

Durability/Integrity: alu rails don’t warp, do not absorb moisture, are more resistant to corrosion (but cannot be in constant contact with salt water), do not fear insects, moss, algae, UV, and remain stable overtime unlike pressure-treated wood used for decking

Constant gaps between joists and boards: allow for constant water drainage + increased moisture control

Rails are laid over joists of the decking frame and therefore rails cover the joists, protecting them better from rain water while letting them breathe = helps enhance joists durability and requires much less joist tape

In most cases, boards are not fastened with screws or do not need screws to be fastened on the rails = only rails are fastened to joists. Rails use 2.5 times less screws than hastening each board individually with screws

Minimum gaps of 15/64” between the bottom deck and the joists or structure onto which the clips are sitting

FLEXIBILITY OF USE: access to subdeck is usually denied, if boards are removed they must be scrapped…

Boards can be subject to quick deterioration due to dampness or the presence of insects

SOLUTIONS:

Subdeck access at all times: special keys allow for boards to be removed and then put back into place using the same clips and boards. Nothing gets damaged in the process. It avoids undoing every single board starting from the outskirt of the deck up to the area that you want to access

Decking: Board removal at any time: they can be replaced one at a time, the entire decking can be updated without the need to replace the alu rails, no need for new clips when using the rails

Minimum gaps of 15/64” between the bottom deck and the joists or structure onto which the clips are sitting

Board removal can only be done where clips were not fastened with screws (for instance: will not work for decks with boards at 45° angles)

Deck installation can be twice as fast vs traditional systems

Effortless: No need for srews or nails to fix boards on the rails, no need to measure gaps between boards or to check boards are aligned, the system takes care of these details on its own

Fast: no need to fasten clips one at a time: the grad clips are already on the rails, exactly where the boards need to go, they can be removed but not moved along the rails

Intuitive: The boards are simply snapped onto the clips

Support: Our Grad 3D software enables to design decks quickly and easily, and to visualize straight away where most elements must be located

Up to 50% faster installation time compared with traditional systems

Idiot-proof system that does not require high-skilled labor and years of experience to be quickly mastered

Projects can be completed faster and better with a high level of details. Some reports suggest that 1 individual can lay 3000 SF of siding in a day

Less screws, Less equipment that will be lost, Faster to clean up project

For use with joists: grad requires an average of 5 screws per 6.5’ track to fasten/secure the tracks on the joists

For use directly on concrete patios: if declared not needed, screws are not compulsory to fasten/secure the rails. Always check requirements with a certified professional

Rooftop system: the assembly requires no screws at all except with the use of spanners and where tracks are required to be fastened to pedestals

The tracks are made of 80% recycled aluminum and are 100% recyclable

Whenever possible, the clips are made of recycled material, but are 100% recyclable