What Size Screws For Decking Boards

Should you use screws or nails for deck.

What size screws for decking boards.

If you are not using a screw gun get square drive screws. 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. So 2 3 8 or 2 1 2 will be plenty long enough. The second board getting the screw is the one you want to take note of.

Add at least 1 1 4 longer than your deck wood thickness. When you are screwing into end grain you will want to make sure that it is longer than when you are screwing across the grain. Each board should recieve 2 screws per joist spaced about an inch from each edge. 8 x 2 1 2 black e coat w lube phillips flat head wood screw.

Specialty decking materials have different requirements. The size of the screw also depends on the grain of wood you are using for your deck. Screws are notorious for splitting deck boards. Use 1 1 4 inch screws for basic tasks where strength is less of an issue or when attaching two 3 4 inch thick boards across the grain.

The trade off is that star head screws are a bit more expensive. Deck screws should be 3 5 in length for 2 inch thick lumber or 2 to 3 for 5 4 inch thick boards for the screws to drive. 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. Once all of the decking is in place snap a chalk line so that the screws can be installed in straight rows over the underlying framing.

What size screws for decking. For installing standard 5 4 inch decking boards you can t go wrong with deck mate s acq compatible polymer coated 10 x 3 1 2 in. Eagle claw stainless steel deck screws. An 8 gauge 2 5 coated deck screw is most commonly used when fastening deck boards to joists.

They tend to push the wood fibers apart rather than tear through them like nails. If you plan to use screws try these solutions. Star flat head wood deck screw 26 94 for a 5 lb. Keep some 2 1 2 inch deck screws for screwing into end grain plus some stronger 3 inch screws for attaching into end grained boards or when a little extra added power is needed.

How long should your deck screws be. Even boards that look good initially can get little cat s eye splits later as the wood dries.