What Size Screws For Decking Boards

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.

What size screws for decking boards.

An 8 gauge 2 5 coated deck screw is most commonly used when fastening deck boards to joists. Screws are notorious for splitting deck boards. How long should your deck screws be. What size screws for decking.

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. 8 x 2 1 2 black e coat w lube phillips flat head wood screw. The trade off is that star head screws are a bit more expensive. Even boards that look good initially can get little cat s eye splits later as the wood dries.

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. Specialty decking materials have different requirements. 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. The size of the screw also depends on the grain of wood you are using for your deck.

Should you use screws or nails for deck. 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 second board getting the screw is the one you want to take note of. 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.

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. If you are not using a screw gun get square drive screws. The screws should be countersunk but only enough to dimple the surface. 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.

Each board should recieve 2 screws per joist spaced about an inch from each edge. So 2 3 8 or 2 1 2 will be plenty long enough. Star flat head wood deck screw 26 94 for a 5 lb. Once you ve decided whether to spring for star head deck screws you need to consider screw length.

Top 12 best deck screws for pressure treated wood reviews 2020. If you plan to use screws try these solutions.