Table of Contents
Deck Screws are specific screws used to hold a deck together. While they are typically 305 Stainless steel there are also some other considerations to make when buying.
What is the difference between deck screws and wood screws?
Deck screws are stronger than wood screws and are often made from copper or stainless steel. Their corrosion-resistant properties make them ideal for outdoor use. On the other hand, wood screws are mostly made from steel and have a flat head as well as an unthreaded shank that make strong joints.
What is special about decking screws?
Owing to the testing conditions that wooden decks have to withstand at times (wind, rain, etc.), the decking screws that secure them in place have to be equally as resilient. Also known as deck fasteners, these types of screws are notably resistant to corrosion and coated in a material that prevents them from rusting.
What screws to use for deck?
You need a different type of screw for each part of your deck. An 8 gauge, 2.5” coated deck screw is most commonly used when fastening deck boards to joists. For deck framing, structural wood screws such as Simpson SDS 1.5” screws work with joist and stringer hangers, as well as post/beam brackets.
Are deck screws construction screws?
A deck screw is a very specific type of screw; ask for a deck screw at a hardware store, and you always get the same basic type of screw. While a construction screw is also a specific type of screw, the term holds generic meaning and can refer to any number of screws, from lag to deck, used for construction projects.
Do I need to pre drill for deck screws?
Deck screws installed in the field, not close to the board’s end or edge, need not be predrilled. Predrilling is required near the end of deck boards to make room for the screw. As the screw is acting like a wedge, driving between the wood fibres. That screw pushes against the decking, splitting open the board.
When should you use deck screws?
For deck boards, screws are the fasteners you want to use for holding strength. They provide excellent retention of the boards and prevent the dreaded board squeak that occurs when nails are used. Board squeak is what happens when there is distance between the deck board and the frame.
Should a deck be built with nails or screws?
The Consensus: For a deck build it’s best to use a combination of nails and screws. Screws are superior for laying down the decking. They hold things flush better and have a better fastener/tensile strength, which keeps boards from popping up over time.
How much weight can a 3 deck screw hold?
The easiest way to increase the amount of weight a screw in a stud can hold is to simply double up. If you have room for a second or a third screw, just add more. Two screws can hold 160-200 pounds. Three screws can hold 240-300 pounds.
Are deck screws better than nails?
For the decking boards, many agree that screws perform better than nails. They have better tensile strength and will less likely to pop out, which is a common problem in decking. Many also agree that nails are better used for the frame of the decking.
What size is a deck screw?
The standard length for deck screws ranges from 1 ½ inches to 6 inches, depending on the size of the deck boards, joists, railings, and posts.
What are deck screws coated with?
It’s the zinc coating that protects a galvanized-steel deck screw from corrosion, but what makes these fasteners especially attractive is the price, far lower than stainless. Depending on exposure and production variables, galvanized-steel screws should last 10 or 15 years.
Can I use deck screws for interior framing?
Using deck screws for framing is not to code. They do not have the strength that framing nails have. However, for a basement finish, and most likely no load bearing walls, yes they are fine to use.
Can you use deck screws for joist hangers?
The manufacturers agree: Never use galvanized deck screws or drywall screws to install joist hangers. Those screws don’t have the shank size and toughness to support joist loads.
Can I use deck screws inside?
If they are approved for deck framing, they will be ok for interior. However I suggest you use engineered framing screws instead. Decking screws are typically for holding decking down and in place, not for structural purposes, the principal concern being strength in shear.
Why are my decking screws snapping?
The most likely cause of deck screws snapping is a combination of the boards and the screws. Simply, if the boards shift, it alters the pressure on the screws, and they may snap. So, a good screw will hold and tight and hopefully survive a bit of warping, and a poor-quality screw will snap.
What is the recommended gap between decking boards?
Determining Deck Board Spacing When using wood decking, you want a gap of at least 1/8 of an inch after your decking has dried out. If you’re using decking that’s already been dried out, you can leave a 1/8-inch gap when you install. Many decks will use “green” wood, or wood that hasn’t been dried down or kiln dried.
Should deck screws be flush?
Conclusion: Deck Screws Should Be Counter Sunk Never Flush Installing deck screws slightly below the surface accommodate the shrinking of the decking as the boards dry. Doing this will create a clean surface for the decking for walking on while minimizing the visual effect of the screw heads.
