Agreed, use screws. Nails will pull out, and the shrink/swell cycle as the wood dries then gets wet then dries again can work the nails out of the holes, and make the holes slightly looser. Screws can’t be pushed back out.
Is it better to build a deck with nails or screws?
Decking screws are better than nails when building a deck. Decking screws hold down your decking more securely than nails and will stop your decking from warping. Also, you can easily remove screws for deck maintenance without causing damage.
Can screws be used for deck framing?
What screws should I use for a deck frame? For your deck framing, we recommend stainless steel screws or coated steel structural screws. (See options here). The most popular fastener choice is the GRK Rugged Structural Screw and Simpson Strong-Tie SD.
Is it better to nail or screw pressure treated wood?
For most applications, however, best nails for pressure treated lumber are either hot dipped galvanized nails and bolts. For screws we recommend using ones that have a protective coating that is designed for use with pressure treated lumber. one example would be Outlaw fasteners.
What is the best way to fasten deck boards?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Sprues should be driven just deep enough to dimple the surface of the wood. Once the decking is tacked in place snap temporary chalk lines along the path of the underlying joists.
What screws to use for outdoor decking?
A good all-around choice is #10 decking screws—generally in 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-inch lengths. Decking screws are sharp, tapered, self-sinking, and coated for corrosion resistance. With a cordless drill/driver, you can drive them about as fast as nails.
Why do framers use nails instead of screws?
Nails are often preferred for structural joining, including framing walls, because they are more flexible under pressure, whereas screws can snap.
Are deck screws stronger than 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.
How deep should deck screws go?
Deck screws should be slightly countersunk below the decking surface. The finish screws set to approximately 1/8″ (3mm) below the decking’s surface.
What kind of nails do you use for decks?
The best nails for decking are stainless steel nails as they offer the greatest resistance to rust with minimum discoloration to woods such as cedar. However, stainless steel nails are considerably more expensive than other nails.
Can you nail decking boards?
When installing decking boards, you can either use nails or screws. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages. Understanding each type of fastener will help you decide on what to use.
Do I need to pre drill 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.
How long should screws be for 5 4 decking?
Screw size
How long should your deck screws be? Deck screws should be 3.5” in length for 2-inch thick lumber or 2-½ to 3” for 5/4-inch thick boards for the screws to drive deep enough into the joists to hold the board secure.
Why do deck screws break?
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.
How many screws go in a 2×6 deck?
The general rule of thumb for standard deck fasteners is 350 screws for every 100 square feet of decking, which is based on standard 6″ wide boards (5-1/2″ actual), and 16″ joist spacing.
Should deck boards be butted together?
We recommend butting treated deck boards together because as the moisture dries from the wood, the boards will shrink and naturally form gaps to allow water drainage. (Depending on moisture content, cedar, cypress and especially hardwood decking may require deliberate spacing for consistent joint sizes.)
How long of a deck screw should I use?
Most decking screws are 8-gauge and, while 2 1/2 inches is the minimum length needed to hold decking boards to the joists, 3-inch screws are commonly used to provide extra holding power against the upward pressure of shrinking or warping boards.
Is 2×6 good for decking?
You can use 2×6 as deck joists if the deck is low enough to the ground as not to require guard railing. When using S-P-F 2×6 deck joists, the span must not be greater than 9’0″ (2.73m) with joists at 16″ o.c. (400mm), and 9’10” (3.01m)with spacing at 12″ (300mm).
How far apart should joists be on a deck?
16 inches
How Far Apart Should You Space Deck Joists? The short answer: deck joists are typically spaced either 12 inches or 16 inches apart, on center. (On-center means the length from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist, rather than a gap from edge to edge).
How far apart should deck posts be?
8 feet apart
Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.
