Screws Or Nails For Deck Framing

Nails building a deck if you are planning to build yourself a wood deck you have three options use only screws only nails or a mix of both.

Screws or nails for deck framing.

While nails have always been a necessity for at least part of the construction of a deck there was a time when screws were just too laborious to consider before the invention of power drivers nails could be pounded in quickly with a hammer while screws required pilot holes and hard to use manual drivers. 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. Use 10d or 16d common spiral or ringshank nails or decking screws in 2x stock 8d or 10d box or ringshank nails or shorter deck screws in thinner stock. But the small extra cost is worth it when a serious injury or death might occur if you decide to forgo their use.

Be sure to examine the type of head on the decking screws before you make your purchase. The advent of the phillips head screw in the 1930s changed everything and began the slow movement from hammering nails to driving screws. Types of construction screws nails bolts to use when building a deck railing or exterior stair. With their coarse threads screws hold better than nails and have more withdrawal force resistance than nails.

Screws are less likely to pop out or surface than nails when wood expands or contracts. Start nails into the deck board. Framing lumber is typically fir or similar softwood and screws often do not require pilot holes. Much like framing nails they do come in different sizes as well.

These will range from 2 1 2 to 3 inches in length. Chisel technique with nails used for decking spacers. The screws will cost you more money when building a deck. Phillips screws were fast and easy to drive in as opposed.

Wood chisel into the joist and tight to the edge of the deck board with the bevel facing you. A square head nail. While most often people opt for one of the first two especially for using only screws i recommend using both screws and nails each in different parts of the deck. This article explains critical safe construction details for decks and porches including avoiding deck or porch collapse and unsafe deck stairs and railings.

Pull back on the chisel until the deck board is tight to your spacer and drive the nails. Attach framing hardware with the fasteners supplied by the manufacturer 16d nails or 3 inch deck screws. Railing posts require diameter galvanized or stainless steel through bolts while railings will need 3 5 coated deck screws for balusters and rails. Check with your building inspector some codes prohibit attaching framing.