Decking screws how many

Truss screws are wonderful in securing thin, one-ply materials, applications where a larger hole is needed for later adjustment, or landscaping situations. Hex head screws have a hexagonal head with a built-in washer to help distribute the weight load to a wider area.

Hex head screws have an integrated washer built into the head to provide superior holding power without the need for separate pieces. Generally, hex head screws are used for structural wood to wood applications such as framing, ledgers, and joists.

Cap head or Undercut screws are typically used for installing composite decking material onto your deck framing. The screws boast a taller head to help penetrate the hard outer capstock of the deck boards, while also featuring a reverse thread to prevent mushrooming. Available in a variety of colors, the heads of these screws can blend into the surface of your decking for a clean look. The drive portion of the screw is incredibly important as that refers to the type of tool you'll need to correctly install the screw.

Ranging from a simple Slotted drive to a more intricate Torx or Spider drive; the drive type you choose often can correlate with the amount of torque you can use when installing the screw, as well as how frequently a screw can be stripped or slipped. Common drive types such as the Phillips or Combo can be tightened and driven with tools that many of us already have in our tool box, making them an easy choice for builders on a budget as no extra tools or bits are needed.

Stripping the screws with these drives, however, is common and you can expect to render a good handful of these screws ineffective at the end.

More detailed drive types such as the Hex, Torx, or Spider allow your driver bit to engage with the drive more, actively leading to virtually no stripping and a strong application every time. These more precise driver bits do often have to be purchased separately, so it should be taken into account when choosing the right screw for a project. Get more information and find the perfect deck fastener for your building project in the quick, helpful videos below:.

Through-bolts are used when the interior of the wall cavity is accessible during installation. Basic flat head deck screws and wood deck screws are commonly used for most general purpose wood-working projects. This includes joist, blocking and stair stringer installation. A coated steel or stainless steel structural screw is commonly used to create the deck framing. Deck screws are much more highly recommended to build a deck per engineers and official building code regulations.

While nails tend to be less expensive, deck screws actually tighten and hold the fibers of the wood together providing a stronger, more durable hold.

International Residential Code states that coated or galvanized steel deck screws are the best choice for pressure-treated wood or chemical-treated lumber.

With that said, not all decks are the same. Some people will be using 12" joist spacing, and others 24". Some will be using 6" wide boards, while some will be using 4" wide. To simplify the process for our customers, we have created an easy to use deck calculator. By answering a few basic questions regarding your deck, it will help you estimate the number of fasteners that will be required for your project. Using your deck example—you should use nails to attach the joists to the deck framing but use screws to fasten down the decking itself.

What is the ideal gap between decking boards? Look at the ends of the boards and install the decking "barkside" up to prevent cupping. Install decking with 3" pressure-treated compatible deck screws instead of nails. Can I use 2x6 for deck boards? Most decks use 16" on center spacing for joists. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16". What are the best screws for decking? Galvanized screws work well with pressure-treated decking, while Redwood or Western Red Cedar decks are usually built with stainless steel screws to prevent staining around the screw heads.

How do you measure for deck screws? Before you even access how many screws you need, it's important to measure how large your deck is. Step 2: Measure the Joist Spacing. A joist is the skeleton bones of the deck. You have to figure out how many screws you want at each joist intersection. How do you calculate decking?