Excellent Service

A local fasteners distributor has a leg up on the distributor from a foreign location. Not only do local firms know your working conditions, they are also familiar with the business climate and all of the ins and outs of running a company in your neck of the woods.

Are there certain state or provincial tax implications that are applicable to your business or project? Dealing with a local will eliminate the need to explain those in detail or waste time filling out paperwork to set up the business transactions properly.

Does your building or electrical code specify a particular fastener material or design due to climate or other issues? The fastener distributor that is established in your neighborhood will be familiar with those codes and will even help you to comply better with advice and suggestions.

Speed is of the Essence

A major factor to deal with when buying from a foreign distributor is the speed of delivery. Getting the fasteners you need from an overseas firm will take time. And even if you find those items for a cheaper price, getting them shipped to your location will take time and money. Are you willing (and able) to wait?

Not only will the speed of delivery make a difference, but the rapid service in terms of quoting and putting through orders will also be a plus. A local distributor will have similar hours of operation (being in the same time zones has its privileges) and when telephone service just won’t do, visiting local firms is possible.

Personal service by a local rep is likely to be more dependable from a nearby company or even one that is in your state (as opposed to those in another country). And that kind of service is what will help make your project smooth and successful.

Nails, screws, bolts and lags – decks run the gamut of different fasteners. Each area is held together with a certain type.

Footings and Framing

Depending on how the foundation of your deck is installed, there may be post saddles or pins used on the footings. In other situations a wooden post is bolted into a floating pier or post spike.

Bolts and lags are used in the framing. Often the ledger board is bolted into the house and the beams are lagged into those wooden posts. Different contractors use different deck fasteners depending on their personal preferences and the applicable building codes.

Deck Boards

Most often deck boards are attached using deck screws. This provides a better finish on the decking and with the right tools, is installed just as quickly as nails are.

Deck screws offer a better finish when they are epoxy or ceramic coated. This type of fastener allows for color matching and a smoother, better looking finish. If nails are used the surface will be marred by silver/grey marks and it will be much more difficult to remove damaged deck boards. These coatings also offer better corrosion resistance.

Railing and Stairs

Nails can be used in the stairs and on railing components, although this is still a common place for screws. Since deck boards are often used for the stairs, the same deck screws that were used on the deck surface are seen. Nails often fasten the stringers to the framing.

Railing pickets are screwed in, although much shorter screws are used. When tempered glass is used the framings may be nailed, but with aluminum pickets and component products, everything is fit together with screws.

All deck fasteners need to be corrosion resistant, whether that is through a plating or coating or due to the material itself. Stainless steel fasteners are ideal for outdoor projects like a deck and well worth the extra expense. For a dependable, long lasting finish choose deck fasteners with the highest levels of strength.

There Are Differences

It may depend on your style of research, but many brick and mortar fastener distributors are sorely lacking in the information available on their websites. When you want facts and figures fast, a brick and mortar shop may be just a phone call away. But what about after hours or before they open? How can you get the data you need right away when the rep is unreachable and their site is unhelpful?

This is where online fastener distributors can shine. With product information and even ordering services on their websites these firms can offer quick, one stop shopping for the busy purchasing managers and contractors out there.

Face to Face For a Change

Yes, there is something to be said for a fastener rep who will visit your office, sell you on the virtues of each line and offer suggestions and solutions to upcoming price increases or supply problems. These relationships are extremely valuable for contractors and management staff alike, but the frequency of those visits can be detrimental when those people need information quick.

This is where the value of a fastener distribution company that does both shines. If they have a rep who can offer that personal service, as well as a website that’s both up to date and easy to navigate, you can have the best of both worlds. Help lines, chat features and toll free numbers are all added attractions to these firms that put customer service high on the priority list.

No matter what type of ordering and information services these companies offer, nothing beats experience in the industry. A fasteners distributor with poorly trained staff and an unproven track record is risky to deal with. Not only will their lack of knowledge make them less helpful to your staff but their pricing and service may also be unreliable.

Get on board with a fasteners distributor you can trust. Years of experience and the type of ordering systems that work for you are key. Local shops or online stores, get the fasteners you need fast with the top distributors.

Why Flat Head Screws?

To provide a smooth surface for the most comfortable walking conditions and the best appearance, flat head screws are a must. They are countersunk into the deck board to provide that flush surface that’s so desired. Whether your deck is built from cedar, treated lumber or composite products, a flat head will create the finish you want.

Typically a deck screw is 2 1/2″ and that length is measured from the top of the head (which would be flush with the surface) to the tip of the screw. This is plenty long enough to secure the 1 to 2” deck boards that people are using today. Flat screws are generally available in Phillips, square or torx heads as well, so you can take your pick and grab a bit to get started on the installation.

Are They Necessary On the Framing?

Although round head wood screws are available, most people do not use them anywhere on a deck. You might use oval countersunk screws on the framing, railing and stairs although they do leave a slight mound. Only flat head countersunk screws are used on the deck board.

Other fasteners used in the framing include lag bolts and carriage bolts – both with the typical bolt heads (either round or hex). Because the framing is hidden for the most part the head of your fasteners is not as important, although for consistency and convenience the same type of driving method is often used. Whether you prefer a square or a torx head, keeping your bit in the power driver is much quicker than switching it out for each fastener.

In order to provide the smoothest, most attractive finish on your decking flat head screws are the only choice. Order them in stainless steel to provide a lifelong strength and resistant to corrosion as well. Then sit back and enjoy your beautiful outdoor living space.

Stats for the Typical Deck Screw

Most often a deck screw will be 2 1/2″ long and either a #7, #8 or #10 in size. Every so often you’ll find the need for a #12 screw. And thinner deck board will require 1 5/8” lengths.

Screws for use on decks, fences and other outdoor structures are most often driven with a square (or Robertson) head, a Phillips head or a Torx head. Each of these has advantages over the other with regards to commonly used tools, less wear or stripping and speed of installation.

Materials and Coatings for Decking Screws

The material you choose for your deck screws needs to be compatible with the material of your deck board. For instance, composite decking needs to be installed using composite deck screws – a good choice both for strength and looks. Wood decking, on the other hand, is best installed using stainless steel composite or hardware that has been tested for use with ACQ, the common chemical treatment for softwood lumber.

Composite deck screws can also be stainless steel, but are available in colors designed to compliment and match the colored deck boards, trim and railing components. Ceramic coated screws can be used with both pressure treated lumber and composite decking. A more widely seen option is epoxy coated deck screws. These are available in a wide variety of colors and the resin coating will not chip off as easily during installation (as can be the case with ceramic).

When building with ACQ treated lumber, always be sure that the fastener material is compatible with that chemical concoction. Check with the fastener manufacturer or read through the MSDS for ACQ or the screws themselves to find out which materials to avoid and which are safe.

Unless you opt for an invisible fastener system, the surface of your deck will be dotted with screws. Be sure to take the time and choose the best possible deck screws for your application. The final product will be worth it.

Brief History of Phillips Head Screws

Phillips head screws have been around since the 1930’s when automobile assembly lines were popping across the country. This set up required a screw that could be tightened with the automated drivers on the line and the Phillips head screws designed by Henry Phillips fit the bill.

Robertson screws had been around for almost three decades and where commonly found on building sites. But with the need for a screw that would fasten tighter and take greater levels of torque, the cross-shaped head developed by Phillips took off after it had been introduced.

Benefits On Today’s Building Sites

Besides being able to provide the tight fit that businesses were looking for in the 30’s, Phillips head screws also provide advantages for standard applications on a building site.

Wood frames, drywall and many other locations where numerous screws are used are a great place to use a Phillips screw. This is because the cross-shaped grooves in the head provide a greater surface area for the screwdriver to contract the fastener, meaning the pressure is distributed better and tightening results in less wear and tear on the screw.

The mating surface (where the driver contacts the screw head to tighten and loosen) is subject to the most wear. When the pressure is on against this surface a stripped screw may be the result. This difficult and potentially costly situation is often avoided by using a Phillips screw. Because this style has a larger mating surface (thanks to the cross-shape and compared to the slot or Robertson style) there will be less pressure on each individual point and so less chance for stripping.

The crossed grooves also hold your driver or bit in tight and cut down on slipping, which can help the installation of these screws to go much faster. Hanging drywall, screwing in floor boards and many other applications on a building site will benefit from the speed and reliability offered by the Phillips head screw.