How do you screw a deck?

Asked by: Emily Roy

Can you screw straight into decking?

Should I Use Nails or Screws for Decking? For decking, you should always use screws rather than nails. Nails are dangerous and can pop up and out of the wood. They also corrode more easily.

Where should deck screws be placed?

The outermost deck board sets the pattern and layout for this three-sided deck so Ben establishes the screw placement every 16 inches on center over the sleepers.

Do deck screws need to be pre drilled?

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.

Is it better to screw a deck or nail it?

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.

Do you screw decking at every joist?

Each deck board should be fastened with two screws at each point where the board crosses a joist to ensure the stability and durability of your deck’s surface. Boards should be fastened to rim joists with three screws.

How far should screw decking be from edge?

When using a screw fixing method, it’s important to fix your decking board to every joist and you need to take care not to screw your board too close to the edges. Generally you should leave at least a 25mm space between the screw and either the edge or the end of your board.

What kind of screws should I use for decking?

Screws come in a wide array of styles. 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.

How long deck screws 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. Specialty decking materials have different requirements.

How can I hide my nails in my deck?

Long enough to allow the decking material to acclimate to the site conditions and minimize shrinkage apply a bead of exterior construction adhesive to each joist. About 3/8 inch wide fasten.

Should deck screw holes be filled?

To give your deck a polished and professional look, you’ll want to fill in any holes left by erroneously placed screws as well as the small gaps above screws that you have countersunk into the deck.

Do deck screws work?

Deck screws can be used on decking to fasten boards, build framing and install rails. They can withstand harsh weather conditions and handle a larger weight than normal wood screws which makes them perfect for any wooden structures that need to be more robust.