EXTERPARK
Screw-free decking installation: how Exterpark’s Shark system works
Exterpark Technology
Screw-free decking installation removes screws from the board-fixing process, rather than simply hiding them. Plenty of hidden-fastening systems on the market still rely on a screw underneath every board; they just keep it out of sight. Exterpark’s patented Shark system goes a step further: in its screwless configuration, no screw is used at all.
Shark is available in both screw-in and screwless versions, so the installation method can be chosen according to the project, not according to what the manufacturer happens to offer. It works across Exterpark’s Tech and Bamboo collections, making the fixing technology part of the specification, not an afterthought.
Hidden screw. Zero screw. Not the same thing.
Most of the market talks about “hidden fixings” as if that were the finish line. It’s worth being precise about what that actually means:
- Face-fixed decking. Screws driven directly through the visible surface of the board.
- Hidden-screw systems. The screw is still there, just concealed beneath a plug, clip, or the board’s edge.
- Screwless systems. No screw in the board-fixing process at all; the board is held by mechanical locking instead.
Exterpark’s Shark, in its screwless configuration, is the third category. That’s the only one with zero screws in the fixing process, not just a hidden one.
Five patented game changers
The Shark system: screw-in and screwless, 100% accessible. A single clip platform that works both ways, so the choice depends on the project.
No screws: maintenance-friendly mechanical locking. A strong mechanical lock that stays reversible. Boards open and close again without the noise or mess of conventional screw removal.
Invisible profile: hidden fastening, no visible joints. No open joints. No blocked drainage. No place for dirt, heels, or valuables to get caught.
3x faster to install and remove. Place and lock in one movement, both ways.
Aluminum joists: a rock-solid substructure. A stable base that won’t warp or rot, backed by a 25-year warranty, improving clip retention over the life of the installation.
More information
Screw-free vs. conventional decking installation
| Exterpark Shark (screwless) | Conventional screwed decking | |
| Board fixing | Mechanical locking | Screws |
| Visible fixings | Hidden | Depends on system |
| Individual board access | Yes, without dismantling adjacent boards | Requires unscrewing multiple boards |
| Installation | Place and lock | Repeated drilling and screwing |
| Substructure | Aluminum joists | Varies (timber, composite, aluminum) |
Extreme performance data
| Test | Result | Independent lab |
| Load capacity | Over 4,000 kg/m² on aluminum joists | — |
| Wind resistance | 330 km/h | — |
| Compression | 2 million cycles without mechanical failure | AIDIMME |
| Traction | Tested with golf cart at 25 km/h | Applus |
| Slip resistance | Class 3 (Rd > 45) | — |
| Fire behaviour | V-0 rated, self-extinguishing without dripping | — |
Anatomy of the system
The Shark clip is manufactured in-house from POM (polyoxymethylene), a technopolymer engineered for high mechanical and fatigue resistance, immune to moisture, lubricants and solvents. Service temperature range: -40°C to +90°C. Aluminum joists provide the stable substructure the clip system relies on for consistent retention over time.
Installation is day one. Access is every day after.
Installation is only the first day of a deck’s working life. If drainage, cabling, or a damaged board needs attention five years in, a conventional screwed deck usually means removing multiple boards to get there. An accessible system changes that: a single board can be lifted and put back without disturbing the ones around it. For hotels, restaurants, and other high-traffic environments, that’s the difference between a quick fix and closing a terrace for a day.
One system. Tech, Bamboo, Wood.
The same installation philosophy applies across Exterpark’s composite and bamboo ranges: Composite uses the Shark system on aluminum joists; Bamboo is available with Shark or Magnet S depending on the board format.
Exterpark Wood uses the Magnet S system rather than Shark.
30 years of patented innovation
- 1995. Exterpark Classic, the industry’s first hidden fastening clip.
- 2004. Invisible profile patent.
- 2012. Speedclip, the first screwless system.
- 2014. Magnet, the accessibility milestone.
- 2023. Magnet S patent.
- 2025. The Shark clip, Exterpark’s 9th patent, the result of 12 years of development, tested in more than 80 countries.
Frequently asked questions
What is screw-free decking installation?
It removes screws from the board-fixing process entirely, rather than concealing them. Exterpark’s Shark system does this in its screwless configuration, using a mechanical clip instead.
Is screw-free decking the same as hidden-screw decking?
No. Hidden-screw systems still use a screw, just out of sight. A genuinely screwless system, like Shark’s screwless configuration, removes the screw from the fixing point altogether.
Does the Shark system use screws?
It can be specified either way: screw-in or screwless, depending on the project.
Can individual Exterpark decking boards be removed?
Yes. A single board can be lifted and reinstalled without dismantling the boards around it.
What load can Exterpark decking support?
Over 4,000 kg/m² on aluminum joists.
What temperature range does the Shark clip withstand?
The Shark clip is manufactured from POM and has a service temperature range of -40°C to +90°C.
Is Exterpark’s fixing system used across all their decking materials?
Yes, with material-specific variations: Shark for Composite, Shark or Magnet S for Bamboo, and Magnet S for Wood.
Specify Exterpark’s fixing technology for your project
Our projects engineers can provide CAD/BIM files, technical specification sheets and installation guidance for the Shark system. Explore Tech and Bamboo.
Request B2B information
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