One factor critical to the integrity of a deck is its fastening devices, said James Faltz, owner, Faltz Landscaping, Anchorage, Ala. “I see so many decks built with improper fasteners,” lamented Faltz. “[Builders] use improper sizes, the wrong materials, nails where screws should be, etc.”
Several tips can help determine which fastener is best for a given application.
As a general guideline, appropriate screw length is determined by the thickness of the wood being adjoined, according to Darin Lawrence, technical director for Lynchburg, Va.-based screw manufacturer McFeely’s. Among the most popular decking sizes, 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber requires 2 7/8- to 3-inch-long screws, while 4-by-4s or 4-by-6s require 2 3/8- or 2 ½-inch-long screws, he said.
Correct screw diameter is based on several factors, with No. 8s being appropriate for most residential work and No. 10s for most commercial applications.
Faltz also reminded fellow contractors to be wise in selecting the proper material for fasteners. Decking material and environmental conditions dictate which screw materials are best, and the following guidelines are helpful, he said:
New, colored ceramic-coated screws are perfect for polymer constructions, he added, cautioning that electroplated and copper fasteners can rust, whither or react with the chemistry of many woods, and some contractors avoid them for these reasons. Crews should increase diameters one size when using stainless steel or silicon bronze screws to compensate for their softness, Lawrence recommended.
The author is Associate Editor for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at ewilson@lawnandlandscape.com.