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.

Wood Lag Bolts

Although some contractors use carriage bolts to attach beams to the posts on a deck frame, many opt for the simpler wood lag bolt. These deck fasteners are actually more like a screw, since they have a pointed tip and do not necessarily need a nut. You’ll still need a washer sandwiched between the hex head and the wood in order to distribute the load properly.

Joist Hangers

These brackets are generally made from zinc plated steel and are used to attach the joists in your deck framing. They work to distribute the weight of the wood and are a much safer, secure way to put together the perpendicular pieces of lumber that form deck framing. Often the lumber is simply nailed into a joist hanger, although in some cases screws may be used. All the joist hangers are covered by the deck board and can only be viewed from underneath once the deck is completed.

Spacers

When ACQ lumber is used to construct a deck and aluminum railing is installed on the same deck, certain levels of protection need to be applied. Due to the chemicals used in ACQ wood treatment it cannot have direct contact with aluminum. If it does, the aluminum will not last long. Spacers need to be installed between the two materials in order to allow both the longevity they are known for.

Most aluminum railing packages will include these elements, but ask at the local building supply store if you cannot find them or contact a fastener distributor to see what they would recommend. This can be a problem when wood posts are used in conjunction with aluminum railing or aluminum railing posts are bolted onto the surface of a pressure treated wood deck.

Be sure that you are fully stocked up on all of the deck fasteners required to construct your project. From deck screws to wood lag bolts, joist hangers and aluminum railing spacers, there are many different common and uncommon fasteners used during construction.

What Are Tee Nuts?

This thin nuts are threaded internally and have a flat flange at one end that lends the fastener a “T” shape (hence the name). You’ll also see three or four sharp, slightly curved hooks on the inside of that flange, designed to claw into the wood surface and hold the nut firmly in place.

Although you can find a variety of sizes, tee nuts come commonly in 1/4″ and 5/16″ diameters. They are also available in different materials with most standard jobs making do with Grade 2 steel that is zinc plated for corrosion resistance.

Why Would You Use These Fasteners?

There are a few good reasons to use tee nuts in wood applications. Sometimes when you insert a screw or lag bolt into wood you end up with cracks, splits and a general mess. Depending on the moisture levels in the wood, the torque used and the size of the fastener, these cracks and splits could seriously damage the wood resulting in a lot of waste.

Using tee nuts will completely eliminate this problem. A hole the same size as the diameter of the nut is drilled using good quality wood drill bits. This should result in very little damage when done with care. When the hole is cleared, the tee nut is hammered into it and the hooks turn into the wood and latch on, providing a solid hold.

Now you have a threaded hole to insert your fastener with no fear of that dreaded cracking sound. When you bore a screw into wood it is very easy to cause damage to either the material or the fastener. With tee nuts you can simply drill, hammer and carry on – no counter boring required.

Depending on the strength needed, these fasteners are also available in stainless steel for superior strength and higher grades of steel for a heavier torque. Handy for many wood workers and craftsmen, tee nuts are a small fastener with a big job.

Where can you get the best deals? And is it a good idea to skimp on certain styles and types of fasteners to lower the bottom line? Look at this element a little closer before you decide.

Finding the Best Deals

In the fastener world prices can range far and wide depending on where you are sourcing the product from , who the manufacturer is and how much you are buying. Start by looking for someone local or browsing online for a fastener distributor that has reasonable shipping costs. Because of the weight of these products and the ever increasing price of fuel, shipping is often a major element in the price. Online retailers can save you money in certain circumstances juts because they are online – no storefront or brick and mortar to deal with means lower costs for you.

Buying in bulk is your number one way to get a good deal on the deck fasteners. Certain things you likely won’t be able to buy a huge quantity of. You may only need a handful of post saddles and a pocketful of carriage bolts or wood lags. If you see a need for the fastener in the future though, buy a box and keep them on hand – you may not save money now, but you’ll certainly be saving some down the road.

Does It Make Sense to Skimp?

You will probably wonder whether you actually need the corrosion resistance of a heavy zinc plated deck screw or even stainless steel deck fasteners. You may look at the price tag and turn away. But think of it this way – you are investing in a lifelong finish on your deck. This is especially important if you are choosing low maintenance products or are designing a high end pressure treated lumber deck. Don’t run the risk of having the screws, joist hangers and other deck fasteners rust in a few years. And when ACQ treated lumber is in play, you will need that more expensive type of fastener, no doubt about it.

Get the best deal, but don’t sacrifice the quality of your project by choosing inferior deck fasteners.

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 three common methods of getting these vital materials to your job site.

Building Supply Store Pick Up

Either you can drive down to the local building supply store or send one of the guys. More often than not, unless you’re looking for a small amount of a standard fastener, these big box stores won’t have what you need on the shelf. But because they’re handy, many contractors try them first.

Specialty deck fasteners are not on the inventory of popular building supply stores. And most of the time you can count on very little help from the employees (sorry guys, but you usually haven’t been trained in the ins and outs of fasteners and you probably don’t get paid enough to bother finding out for yourself).

If the product is in stock, great – this method is fast and efficient. If however, the big box building store doesn’t have the fasteners that you need, they’ll offer to put in a special order. The catch is that order will take an enormous amount of time and paperwork to get moving.

The verdict? A trip to the building store is not the best plan.

Fastener Rep Comes to You

Maybe you’re one of the lucky ones. Maybe the fastener rep drives by your jobsite every day and stops in with a current catalogue and price list. If this is the case, a rep should be able to answer your questions, fill you in on industry innovations and generally give you enough service to get the sale.

Let’s be realistic though – this isn’t usually how it works. Generally you’ll call the distributor’s office and set a time for the rep to come visit. They might be able to make it fast, but usually we’re talking at least a few days until they can get to you. Once they do make it, you might be able to put in an order on the spot and expect delivery within a few days. But if they don’t have the capabilities to do on the road ordering, you’ll be waiting until they get back to the office for the order to go in.

It’s bound to be an accurate order and the rep can troubleshoot any problems you’re having. They can show you the newest deck fasteners on the market and offer tips on ordering levels. But unless they’re on site within a few hours, there is still a better way to order deck fasteners.

Shop for Deck Fasteners Online

It’s true. The fastest and most accurate way to find the deck fasteners you need is online. There you can browse through a selection of specialty fasteners that are in stock and ready to ship. You can find information about the products, as well as tips and advice if you need it.

Perfect for the pros, online fastener distributors are the best place for builders just starting out as well. Buy one box or buy in bulk – it’s always convenient and always fast. Freight will add a little to the overall cost, but no more than you’ll pay ordering through the rep.

Look for an online retailer that specializes in fasteners, as opposed to those who offer everything under the sun. Then you can expect specialized service and knowledgeable help if and when you need it. Wondering whether stainless steel is worth the cost? Ask. Thinking about the benefits of specialty bits? Ask about that, too. Help is only a phone call or an email away.

When you need deck fasteners fast there’s only one place that delivers the selection, speed and knowledge necessary. Find on online fastener distributor and get ordering. Then get back to work.