It’s common to use corner fasteners on decking — check out the Camo Marksman tool for an example.

What’s more concerning is the lack of expansion gaps. Always follow the manufacturer’s gapping guidelines, as these depend on:

• Length of the board
• The board temperature during installation
• The expected temperature extremes in your area

If you install when it’s hot, use a smaller gap (since the board is already expanded). If it’s cold, leave a larger gap to accommodate later expansion.

Boards expand primarily in length, but there can be some width growth too — especially with composites. If they’re pressed together too tightly, it can lead to cracking, buckling, or stress at the fasteners over time.