Yes.

We recommend the use of Sika Flex 11FC on wide boards for both merbeau and Australian hardwood for the following reasons:
1.      It is like putting your foot into a sock before you put into a shoe - it just feels better
2.      Adhesive adds a cushioning when walked on
3.      Adhesive takes the ‘clickety clack’ sound out of the completed deck when walked on
4.      It also adds a massive strength boost making it suitable for cyclonic areas up to category 4 strength. 

5mm or 3/16” consistent (USA).

No.

Merbeau and most Australian hardwoods and most composite decking.

Yes, the top of the weather closing on the clip finishes 4mm lower than the top of the deck allowing sanding and polishing.

No, check your joins at the end of the job and check for any discrepancies which may need adjustment. Butt joints must be back blocked to give the joint maximum strength,  back blocks consist of two cut pieces of 90 x45, h3 treated pine  200mm in length with one fixed each side of the position of the butt joint.  After this is done fit the deck claws into position cutting off one of the legs of the claw to sit on top of the joist.

The outside board is the anchor, it must be straight and well held to take the pressure off the deck straps. Please refer to video for demonstration.

14 per square meter if using 140mm boards or 22 deck claws for 90mm wide boards.  It is far more cost efficient in labor and deck claws to use the 140mm wise board. 

By using hand cramps to temporarily hold and stop tilting of the last board.  Please refer to video.

Cut the legs from the deck claw. Place the clip between the board and the house and the clip will activate in the same manner as the rest of the deck.

With a small flat screw driver flick back the clip weathering closure and expose the two screw heads. With a slow speed battery drill fitted with a T10 driver bit slowly unwind the screws to as many clips as you need to remove the damaged board. Again with the small flat screw driver and hammer tap and flick the stainless steel deck claws out of their engaged position, then with a long blade adjustable cutting knife cut down between the nylon spacer and the edge of the board you are taking out, this will cut through the deck tape. We recommend you put on top of your joists before you install your boards, the bond that the joist tape has to the top of the joist will release as you work your way along with a pinch bar, simply cut small lengths of fresh joist tape to replace the tape you have removed. Install new deck claws , apply fresh sika 11fc and refit a new board, and finally engage the deck claw screws and weathering closure.