Mark Wolf | posted on December 31, 2020 at 12:12 PM
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Deck screws fix the decorative panels that constitute the walking surface of the deck, porch, pier or boardwalk. If you are building a new deck or repairing an old deck, it is important to choose the best-performing deck screws.
Before starting a project, please consider your decoration materials and climate. Untreated wood requires screws that are different from common treatment options such as pressure treated wood. Over time, coastal areas, salt exposure, and chloride can also cause rot, so the correct screw type can prevent unnecessary damage.
Read on to learn more about the best deck screws needed for outdoor projects.
Although the deck slabs, pillars and railings are responsible for supporting people and objects on the deck, the deck screws and fasteners hold the entire structure in place. It is important to spend some time considering the characteristics and factors of deck screws and how they affect the quality, durability and applicability of the product.
When looking for suitable screws to fix the deck, it is necessary to pay attention to the material of the screws and whether there is a protective coating.
Deck screws usually have flat heads, but there are actually several other types of screw heads you can consider before determining the best format for the deck. These include flat heads, trimming heads, truss heads, hexagon heads and round head screws.
The drive type refers to the type of groove on the screw head and the type of screwdriver to screw it into. Choose the appropriate drive type for your project and preferences.
Although Torx drives are usually the best choice to get the job done quickly and efficiently, using Robertson drives may work better. Review some options and choose the drive you like.
The correct thread on the screw can help speed up the progress of the project, while the wrong thread may completely stop the construction or repair of the deck. Check the product description for the thread measurement per inch, which is usually indicated in the name or manufacturer information.
Any product sold as a deck screw usually has ordinary threads or coarse threads. Although some woods may be suitable for fine threads and high thread counts, this is usually not the case for pressure-treated deck boards, because the density of wood fibers makes it difficult to pass narrow threads through the wood.
The standard length of deck screws ranges from 1 ½ inches to 6 inches, depending on the size of the deck, joists, railings, and uprights. Ideally, the screw should completely penetrate a piece of wood or composite material and insert approximately half of that length into the second piece of wood or composite material to properly secure the two pieces together.
For example, a 6-inch screw will pass through a 4×4 column and push the other 2 inches into the deck frame or joist. 1 ½ inch and 2 inch deck screws are suitable for fixing sort boards or joist hangers because they will not protrude from the other side of the timber at such a short length.
Deck screws measuring 2 ½ inches and 3 inches are usually best used to fasten railings, deck plates, and joists, while 4×4 columns require 6 inches of deck screws.
Choosing the correct deck screw means determining the size and type of deck material and where to use the deck screw in the project. The following are some professional products and the situations in which they are most suitable.
From building the backyard deck to repairing the dock, the deck screws you choose will vary. Work with the best performers across these categories to find the best deck screw for the job.
If users need adaptable deck screws that can meet a range of challenges, they may need to consider SNUG Fasteners deck and fence screws. These high-quality corrosion-resistant deck screws have a strong, ultra-protective coating, can be used on pressure-treated wood and star drives, and can be installed quickly and easily.
On the flared head of the screw, the tip of the pen after installation can be better hidden. The package contains a Torx star drive bit and 100 #9 2½ inch screws. These screws are suitable for decorative materials less than 1.5 inches thick.
For providing a large number of deck screws with deep connection strength at an excellent value price, Hillman Fasteners deck screws may be just that. These coated deck screws are recommended for pressure treated wood. They have self-drilling cutting points, rough serrated threads to provide a firmer grip, and flat tips with countersunk nibs for a clean, uniform finish.
Also known as Torx driver, the star drive head helps to transmit torque to prevent the cam from falling off, which can happen when the screwdriver slides out of the screw head. This is a 5 pound #10 3 inch deck screw package.
For deck screws that can help you work faster and provide cleaner results in pressure-treated wood, check out these Power Pro screws. They have a bronze polymer coating that protects the screws from corrosion caused by wood preservatives.
The unique thread design can increase the drive speed by 20% without pre-drilling, and the non-cracking twist handle eliminates cracking and cracking. The counterbore blade can be more firmly attached to the wood surface. The star drive eliminates the cam output and achieves a smoother drive. The pack includes 450 #9 3 inch deck screws.
If you use laminate flooring, please choose these special screws. The self-recessing hole design and the additional tip reduce the need for pre-drilling, even in hardwood. The torque that a star drive can withstand is twice that of a Phillips or square drive screw.
The threads on these screws are deep, wide and sharp, and are compatible with treated timber deck frames. These 2 ¾ inch deck screws have a corrosion-resistant finish and are available in a variety of colors to match your finishing materials or stains.
The screws usually used for decoration are not used to handle the work load of the frame. Although many deck framers use galvanized nails, these screws are another useful option. They are made of special hardened steel with high tensile, torque and shear strength.
The screw has a sharp thread and tip, which can bite into the frame material quickly to reduce splitting. The six CEE threads along the middle shank expand the screw holes of the unthreaded upper shank, allowing the wood to settle and increasing the tensile strength of the screw.
The round head with built-in washer plus the added shoulder below has no sharp edges. This helps to fix the screws on the pre-drilled connecting plate. The package contains 50 #10 3 ⅛ inch structural screws.
Use this pack of Deck Plus deck screws for the next deck construction or repair project. The product includes a Torx drive bit and 73 #10 2 ½ inch screws. The length of the screw combined with 4 layers of protective coating can ideally fix joists, joist bearings and joist hangers on outdoor construction projects.
Epoxy resin coating is very effective in preventing chemical corrosion, rain, wood liquid, snow, ultraviolet radiation and temperature fluctuations, and can extend the life of screws and decks. The flat head design allows the screw to be flush with the deck, while the self-tapping tip and thread make it easy to cut wood. In some cases, the thick protective coating will slow down the driving speed of the screw.
Finding the right deck screws to properly connect the support column to the deck frame means looking for a product that is both long enough and strong enough to handle the necessary tensile, torque, and shear loads. This set of 50 square head bolts is an excellent choice for 6-inch railings and uprights.
The deck screw has an external hex drive system that can easily drive the screw to a depth of 6 inches, burying the head in the material for a flush appearance. These bolts even come with a hex bit, so users don’t need to find a bit that fits their head before starting the project.
Carbon steel square head bolts have a weather-resistant coating and tapered head, designed to sink into wood. However, due to the thin length and diameter of these screws, if too much force is applied, they are easy to bend and break.
For deck materials that have not been pressure-treated, please consider using Eagle Claw deck screws. This stainless steel formula has strong weather resistance in most environments, and the price is lower than similar 316 stainless steel screws. They also won't stain untreated wood, such as galvanized screws.
These deck screws are suitable for hardwood and softwood, including mahogany and cedar. They have a star-shaped drive head, and the nib under the head helps to secure the screws. It is recommended to use pilot holes because they are not self-drilling screws. The package contains 5 pounds of #10 3 inch 304 stainless steel screws.
For the quality, efficiency and efficiency of the Torx drive system, it is difficult to beat SNUG Fasteners deck screws when fixing joists, deck plates and railings. As an economical alternative, the Hillman Fasteners set contains more than 300 screws, which help reduce the cost of large deck construction projects in one package.
Deck screws are not a luxury product with multiple functions, so the decision-making process is relatively simple, focusing on quality, size, design, and suitability for specific parts of the deck.
After extensive product research, the deck screws listed above were selected comprehensively considering materials, drive types and coatings. Deck screws representing various sizes are preferred for fixing joists, railings, deck slabs, and even large 4×4 columns-so readers can find suitable screws for every part of the deck construction or repair process.
Use appropriate screws to fix the pressure-treated wood and composite deck to protect your deck in the coming years.
If you are still unsure of the best deck screw for your project, please consider reading the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below for some help in choosing and using the best product.
Deck screws are a kind of wood screws, but not all wood screws are suitable for decorative works. This special type of screw usually has a waterproof coating and can fix the deck in rain, sleet and snow without rusting.
The deck plate is usually secured with 2 ½ inch to 3 inch deck screws. However, hidden fastening systems, such as lag screws, may be a good choice for railings and uprights.
Nails are often used for frames because they have a high level of shear strength. Although deck screws are very resistant to pull-out forces, which are ideal for deck fasteners used to secure columns, deck plates, and joist hangers, their shear strength is weak, so deck screws should not be used for frames.
Deck screws are usually about 3 inches, but if you need to fix a 4×4 column, it is best to use 6-inch screws.
Bob Vila has been an American handyman since 1979. As the host of the beloved groundbreaking TV series, including "The Old House" and "Bob Villa's House", he is very popular and has become synonymous with "do it yourself" home improvement.
Throughout his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair and live better every day-a tradition that continues to this day, providing professional and easy-to-understand home advice. The Bob Vila team distilled the information they need to know into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101, etc. Then, these family and garden experts thoroughly research, review, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Mark Wolfe is a freelance writer specializing in gardening, landscaping and DIY content. After working in the nursery and landscape industry for 20 years, Mark has worked for several online media and retailers, including HGTV, WORX Tools and Dave's Garden. He has a degree in outdoor education from Northland College. When not working, Mark enjoys gardening, beekeeping, traveling, and exploring nature in Georgia with his family.
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