Where is the Best Place To Buy Deck Fasteners From?

You may be able to find deck screws or nails at the local building supply store, but the price and quality may not be what you need for a fantastic finish. It’s best to contact an industry professional and source out fasteners made from materials that the professionals would use. Check online or visit a local fastener distributor to price out all of the fasteners required for this job.

Are you thinking about stainless steel, but put off by the premium price? Although stainless steel fasteners do cost more initially, the quality and appearance of this material makes it well worth the investment. Especially wise if you are investing in maintenance free composite decking, stainless steel will never corrode or leave rusty red marks on your decking.

If the extra investment isn’t in the budget, hot dipped galvanized deck fasteners such as lag bolts, deck screws, joist hangers and joist hanger nails will all provide a decent amount of protection against corrosion.

What Can You Expect to Pay For Deck Fasteners?

The material list for a DIY deck can be extensive, depending on the size and design. Extra features such as pergolas, privacy screens and planter boxes will add to the standard materials needed.

In any case, the hardware for a pressure treated wood deck project – including all of the deck fasteners required – will run between 4 and 8 percent of the total cost. That means if you are spending around $2000 on the deck materials, fasteners will account for $80 to $160 of that total.

Although they are not a large portion of the cost, using quality deck fasteners ordered from industry leading fastener distributors will help you to build the deck of your dreams.

Why Buy From a Wholesaler?

The benefits of buying from a wholesaler are widespread. You’ll often get a bulk discount without the need to buy in bulk quantities. That’s because wholesalers put in large orders to the manufacturers, obtaining generous discounts, and then pass some of those savings onto your business.

Wholesalers don’t tend to have the storefronts and overhead costs that major retailers do. You could buy your building fasteners from the local big box building supply store, but remember that you are paying for their multimillion dollar advertising campaigns, massive staff and huge warehouse-type stores. Most often the wholesaler runs a more modest shop, possibly offering a retail location but working hard to keep their costs under control in order to supply you with the best discounts on fasteners and building materials.

How Much Money Can You Save?

Medium sized contracting firms have a wide variety of costs. Knocking 20 to 40 percent off of the price on all of the fasteners used in that company may not have a major impact. But if you run a small contracting business, possibly working on your own or with a small group of skilled laborers, the money saved from buying fasteners wholesale may represent a significant portion of your materials cost.

Maybe you charge out for time and materials. Buying fasteners wholesale will allow you to match the fastener prices charged by local retailers. This competitive edge could mean more business for your company and higher revenues generally lead to more profits and increased opportunities.

Just as you should keep an eye on the other costs associated with running your contracting company, you can reduce the total expenses incurred by purchasing fasteners wholesale. Find a reputable and established wholesaler that services your industry and work on building a relationship that will reap plenty of benefits for your business.

Deck Screws Vs Wood Screws

You could build a deck using wood screws instead of deck screws, but after the first year you will very likely be disappointed in the appearance. And after a few more years the structure itself may deteriorate past the point of being safe.

Why?

Deck screws are made with the conditions of a deck in mind. Treated to resist corrosion, deck screws are often coated in ceramic or painted to match the color of the deck materials. This is so that the surface of the structure will be attractive in any weather, even after years of sun, rain and snow beating down on it.

Wood screws, on the other hand, are formulated for use with wood framing and structures inside your home. Often made from bronze, they are not suited for exterior exposure. Although they will do the job and attach your wood deck boards securely to the framing, those screws will be rusted and unstable within a short period of time.

Besides the color, deck screws and wood screws look the same. Be sure of what you are purchasing from the fastener distributor and opt for deck fasteners that include corrosion resistance and coatings to match the decking.

What About Nails?

Nails are categorized in the same way. They can all be used with wood and many of the sizes and shapes you find on the hardware store shelves will work on a deck. But when those deck fasteners are not treated with rust resistance they simply will not last.

Nail heads are also vastly different. Those used to drive the fastener into wood are often flat with a wide diameter. They will be installed flush with the surface to provide a smooth look on your decking and framing. Decking nails are made to be strong enough and attractive enough for use on these projects. Anything else will likely ruin it.

Be sure that your material list includes the deck fasteners required to get the job done. Along with the tools and know you needed, these items will help you get the job done.

What Kind of Savings Are We Talking About?

Building materials stores tack an enormous mark up onto their fastener stock. Maybe they bank on the fact that contractors have no choice but to buy fasteners. Or it could be that because of the relative size of these components (often the smallest piece of the puzzle overall), most contractors don’t feel that any significant savings can be achieved by shopping around.

And that is where they are wrong.

Contacting a fastener distributor and buying fasteners wholesale will save big dollars over the course of a season. Consider the amount of fasteners that even a small business goes through. Boxes and boxes of screws, bolts, nails, washers, nuts and countless other custom fasteners are used in every corner of construction projects. If you saved even a few pennies on each of those fasteners the total savings would be enough to warrant a switch.

The good news is that you can save much more than only a few pennies. Price shopping between building supply stores will often result in that penny difference. But ordering your fasteners in bulk through a wholesaler will deliver major cost differences – it is not unusual to see them offer the products to you at 3/4 to 1/2 of the retailer’s price.

What Is the Catch?

First you need to source out a fasteners wholesaler that is reputable and has the items you need in stock on a regular basis. The ability to order online is key. With the schedule that most contractors keep they need to be able to place orders at any time of day from anywhere. Online ordering systems offer that capability.

They also need to have decent credit terms, since you will likely be ordering in larger quantities. Be sure you have a location to stock these boxes of fasteners, even if it’s only in the bed of a pickup. Shipping costs are important as well and need to be factored into the overall cost to realize the true savings.

Once you have found a distributor you can trust, saving money buying fasteners wholesale will be straightforward. You can look forward to being much more competitive while maintaining the same level of quality you always had.

Hanging the Drywall on Wood Framing

The type of framing used on the walls will determine the type of drywall screws used. With wood framing, which tends to be solid and therefore harder to drive into, you will need to use screws with a coarse thread and an acute point. All drywall screws will self-pilot or self-tap, meaning they are made to drive themselves into the material easily.

The head of a drywall screw is bugle-shaped to allow for gentle contact with the drywall paper. Since the screws are installed slightly recessed into the board, these fasteners need to be able to get there without tearing the paper to shreds.

Be careful that you do not torque a drywall screw too much, as the material is often brittle and the head can snap off easily. This will leave you with a problem that requires a lot of mud and patience to fix.

Hanging the Drywall of Steel Framing

Many homes are now framed with steel studs, which are in fact steel channels specially designed to support the wall structure. The steel is light gauge and screws with an acute point should still be used. Often those with a finer thread work best, as they will quickly tap into the steel with very little effort and less chance of breakage.

Drywall screws for both wood and steel framing are often coated with phosphate for corrosion protection. In bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where moisture may be a problem it’s a good idea to opt for stainless steel.

Adhesive Is an Option

In certain cases drywall can be hung using adhesive. Be sure that the product is formulated for use with drywall and applied according to the directions. Look for products with a lower environmental impact to ensure your home is healthy and friendly to the planet.

Drywall screws are the most common fasteners used in installation, although drywall adhesive has its place. The process of installation is straightforward and an ideal project for the DIY enthusiast. You may want to leave the mudding to a professional though.

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.

Make Up of a Good Deck Screw

Not all are created alike, so beware of cheap imitations and knock offs. Quality deck screws have a certain design that includes elements and shaping to help make installation easier. For instance, the best deck screws have an augered tip for better entry into the deck material. This sharp tip cuts down on splitting and cracking that can occur when using lower quality lumber. It also makes installation faster on those hard materials like Ipe and Mahogany.

Driver Choice

This is a bit of a personal thing, but many of the pros prefer a square driver that has a deeply recessed head for better handling. That being said, there is nothing wrong with a Phillips or a Torx deck screw – it will depend on the kind of tools you like to handle and the bits you have the greatest success with.

Other Head Details

Although the driver may not be a big deal, there are plenty of other details about the head that will provide strong support and a better overall look. Be sure that you find the color of screw head that best matches your decking. If not, the deck surface will look patchy and unprofessional. Opt for colored heads in black if you are using a hidden fastener system.

Depending on whether you are looking for less exposure to the fastener or not, you’ll need to choose between trim head screws and flat head screws. Both should also be formed with nibs for easier countersinking.

Best Materials

Top notch deck screws are usually stainless steel. Perfectly suited for use with ACQ treated lumber and guaranteed to resist corrosion no matter what the exposure to moisture, stainless fasteners are well worth the extra investment in the long run. Second best are the zinc plated screws rated for use with ACQ.

Don’t waste your time and money on lesser quality. Opt for the best deck screws and put together a professional deck for your home or customer.

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.

It all depends. Where you get the fasteners from and how they are made will determine whether this move to cut costs will cut quality as well.

Buying Direct to Save Money

There are legitimate fastener distributors out there who ship direct from the manufacturer to your jobsite or plant, which saves the added costs and mark up associated with a middleman or building supply stores.

So if you’re buying the same quality fastener, possibly even the same brand and product line, from a direct distributor (find a good online fastener distributor for fast ordering and shipping) and getting a better price than the hardware store around the corner, cheap fasteners are fine. They will not degrade the quality of your project in any way. And they will say you money. Good news.

The bad news is that not all contractors and manufacturers are doing it that way.

Buying Imitations to Save Money

You can find reputable, reliable and really affordable fastener distributors online. And you can also find distributors of imitation fasteners. These are the products that look and function similar to what you will buy from the big brands, but the quality is not there.

Maybe the steel is a low grade. Maybe the coatings have been applied hastily and won’t hold up. Maybe the fasteners are not quite to spec, which makes them virtually useless in many applications where not-to-spec means not useable. If you can’t get the exact specifications for the fasteners – in readable, up to industry standards format – skip it. Buying these fasteners is not the smart way to save money.

Cutting Fasteners Out to Save Money

Some builders will cut a few fasteners out of the project to save money. Over a large project, such as a sizeable boardwalk or deck, this can add to a decent amount of savings. But the problem is that the builder is sacrificing safety and structural integrity to save that money. Not good news.

Always follow the specs exactly and use the fasteners as stated, in the quality and quantity specified.

Your reputation as a builder is on the line and if the project fails, falls apart or causes injury, no amount of cost savings will be able to buy that back.

The bottom line? Cheap fasteners are a good idea when bought from a direct distributor at the same level of quality that is required by the specs. Don’t opt for imitations and keep the amount of fasteners up to the proper levels. Then your project and your profit margins will hold steady.

What Are Washers Exactly?

The small component that fits between a nut and the structural component being fastened is called a washer. Galvanized washers have been treated for corrosion resistance and offer longevity and strength – they are a must in exterior applications.

Does My Application Need a Washer?

Washers serve a few different purposes and almost any application that involves a nut will benefit from a washer. Washers serve to distribute load for a fastener. Whether it is a bevel washer (used with sloped surfaces) or a lock washer (generally used to keep the fitting tight) these components are essential to the overall fit and durability of that point in a structure.

Galvanized washers work well for exterior applications, serving as a spacer between the nut and the wood, steel or other material being fastened. They also act as a barrier against wear, which is important in many circumstances. Even if a nut is only removed sporadically, a properly fitted washer will keep the material underneath protected from wear. Even the slightest movement in the structure can also result in wear over time unless there is a washer to act as a pad.

If you are using a nut and bolt combination, washers will complete the set and provide the optimum durability.

Be sure that the material and finish of the washer matches the other components. Galvanized washers, for instance, work exceptionally well with galvanized nuts and bolts, but if your application is inside and corrosion is not anticipated to be a problem, skip the galvanized line and opt for something else. When using stainless steel bolts and nuts, choose a stainless steel washer to maintain the same levels of strength and corrosion resistance.

Washers in any shape, size and material offer vital support for your fastener. They keep a tight fit, protect against wear, distribute the load and act as a spacer. Galvanized washers work well with your exterior fasteners for a strong, durable fit. Don’t leave them out.