Best Deck Screws for Pressure Treated Woods To Build a Perfect Deck

Best Deck Screws For Pressure Treated Woods Buyer’s Guide

Circular saws, tape measures, power drills, and a variety of other instruments are all utilized during deck building. These instruments are vital in their own right, and none of them are more important than the others since they complement each other. Screws are essential for connecting deck boards, and it’s especially important to do the screw job right if you are working with pressure-treated wood that includes chemicals. The best deck screws for pressure-treated wood are designed to provide optimal performance. The appearance of your completed product is mainly determined by the deck screw you use. Some screws are forceful, and if you drive them into the woods, they may break your boards, which may be costly in the long run. As a result, you will need to know a few facts regarding the screw you will use for your project.

What Are the Types of Deck Screws for Pressure-treated Woods Available?

In the broad category of screws, the deck screw is also a kind. Deck screws can also be classified based on thread, head, tip, drive, substance, and coating. However, we are going to tell you all you need to know about the deck screw right now.

According to head type

Screws used in deck building must be able to endure the weather, structural loads, and the caustic nature of natural and chemical wood preservatives. Coated, ceramic plated, or stainless steel screws are the best corrosion-resistant fasteners for pressure-treated cedar or redwood.

According to material and coating

Screws can be constructed of a variety of materials, including stainless steel, iron, and other metals, according to the material and coating. Deck screws require a lot of coating, especially when dealing with pressure-treated timber. The stainless steel polish is excellent, as is the ceramic coating. Additionally, other high-quality coatings are a possibility, but not galvanized coatings, since some galvanized coatings may be harmed by pressure-treated wood.

According to the thread and tip

Deck screws often have coarse threads, which are suitable for decking. The tip of the screw is also an essential consideration. Some screws have a Type 17 point (Self-drilling), which is the preferable option.

When Installing Wood Decking, What Size Screws Should Be Used?

The screw should sink 1 inch or more into the frame material. If the screw will be used on frame members and will have to sustain weight, select a bigger gauge

Deck framing

Bolts are commonly used to attach the deck’s rim joists to the posts and each other, although large diameter screws known as lag screws can also be utilized. A lag bolt used to join a 2-inch board must be at least 4 inches long. Similarly, because the railing is a safety element that may have to sustain weight in an emergency, 1/2-by-6-inch lag screws should be used to secure railing posts to the rim joist. Joist hangers are commonly used to join lateral joists to the rim joist; 6-gauge 1-inch screws are acceptable for this.

Decking and stairs

Different regulations apply to specialty decking materials. Ipe decking, for instance, is exceptionally hard and should be fitted using 10-gauge screws with tiny heads that may be inserted into the surface into predrilled pilot holes.

This video from The Honest Carpenter will help you figure out what size screw to use for each task:

What Are the Different Materials Used To Make Deck Screws?

You won’t have to pick the substance of your screws because they are bought for a specific purpose, and the makers have chosen the right steel or alloy and treatment to give them the greatest qualities. Thus, phosphate wood/agglomerate kinds, zinc-plated wood screws, stainless steel decking screws, and so on. The cheapest screws should be avoided since they are likely to be fragile and badly handled.

Bichromated

Corrosion resistance is moderate (provided screws are high quality). The cheapest are prone to losing their surface treatment, corroding as a result, and breaking when over tightened. They are yellow in color and lose their special covering when chipped.

Zinc plated

The quality of the treatment and the forces the screw is exposed to while in use determine whether it is zinc-plated or not.

Phosphated

The color is black. These screws are fairly robust and resistant to corrosion.

Chrome plated

Chrome plating has the same look as zinc plating and is just as durable.

Brass

Brass is mostly used in interior design, primarily in cabinets. Brass is prone to verdigris and has low corrosion resistance. Because these screws have not been treated, they are inappropriate for a variety of applications.

Stainless steel

It is ideal for usage outside. Stainless steel is long-lasting and, by definition, corrosion-resistant.

Variable proportion alloys

Variable proportion alloys gain from surface treatments (hydrolysis) according to the screw’s use.

What Happens if You Use Cheap Deck Screws for Pressure-treated Woods?

Another significant factor in evaluating when choosing the best deck screw brand is the quality of the screws. Don’t worry, since here’s what may go wrong if you pick subpar options.

When you buy low-quality fasteners, there’s a good chance they won’t keep the components together for long. It doesn’t matter how beautiful your deck is if the locks that hold it together aren’t suitable for your needs. Even a minute difference in diameter between the holes you create and the size of the screw you purchase may cause the screw to separate. As a consequence, making sure your screws are properly aligned with their requirements is important.

Another issue could be if the screw cap cracks. Because of the inferior quality of the material used in production, the screw may fail to bear the weight and break off, causing your deck to indent in certain areas. Furthermore, a faulty screw may break during the setup process. This is why only the strongest and longest-lasting screws should be used.

A low-quality screw may not endure wear and tear. If not for lack of strength, a crack or creep in the screw may cause it to break off in the middle. This could be due to the fact that it has been keeping the components together for a long period. For your deck to survive long enough, the screw must not only be sturdy but also made of lasting material.