Pre-Drilling and Plugging Screws

What happens here

For sections where screws are visible, such as a "breaker board" (a board installed perpendicular to the main decking to hide butt joints or for aesthetic reasons), the screws are pre-drilled. The presenter explains that pre-drilling with a 3/16 inch drill bit helps the screw go in smoothly and prevents a "white ring" from appearing around the screw head when it breaks through the composite material. After driving the screws, they are covered with matching plugs for a clean finish.

Goal: Secure deck boards with screws while maintaining a clean, blemish-free surface