The Boys are having a disagreement in the office today.
When building an exterior deck cedar or treated is there any advantage to predrilling the deck boards when using build-ex screws?
Does predrilling made the attached system stronger?
The Boys are having a disagreement in the office today.
When building an exterior deck cedar or treated is there any advantage to predrilling the deck boards when using build-ex screws?
Does predrilling made the attached system stronger?
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Replies
Predrilling doesn't affect the strength of the system, but it does affect the splitting of the boards.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
You need to pre drill the ends, otherwise they will split, which does compromise strength, albeit minor.
Doug
Welcome to Breaktime.
I have policies: pre-drill deck screws and use Stainless if I can set it into the budget (on individual boards).;
back-prime siding and facia;
etc.
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
I just predrill the ends.
ends only.
Be this is the end.....my only friend the end
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
The killer awoke before dawn. He put his boots on.
I personally predrill all the holes in the decking,( cedar and p.t.) It will help to keep the wood from splitting by the screws. It is strictly an appearance issue except as the previous post stated, the ends definitely need to be drilled. The wood on the rest of the deck boards may not split right away, but they will as the wood dries out. If the HO has no problem with it, fire away!
if you want a nice job then pre drill for all screws. not just the ends. as duey pointed out after time the screws in the field will cause splits in the deck boards, but also the fact that if you have two drill motors one with a drill bit and one with a driver it will increase the speed and you will have less load on the driver and less screws breaking off or striping out and the boards will get sucked up to the joist better