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I am installing treated 5/4 planking in a southern coastal city.
What type deck screws are best?
galvanized?
coated?
stainless? ss is too brittle I am told, but i want something rust free.
What type is best and who makes a quality brand??
I bought some HD galv small nails from Lowes, made in China, that were rusting in the box!!!!!!!!
Replies
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Use SS twisted nails made for siding...They are superb.
Near the stream,
aj
*If you're looking for the "best" and "quality", why were you at HD? Anyhow, try McFeely's Square Drive. They sell SS and other coated screws and nails. I believe their website is http://www.mcfeelys.com, but if it isn't, I'm sure a Yahoo search will pop them up.
*Ed, I have had good luck with coated screws here in Montana, but for the coast area, I would definitely use a quality stainless screw. Not sure of the best bet, but have seen several brands being sold. I would suggest buying a few of each and giving them the torque test before you start your install.I went to screws for decks for awhile but have since switched back to nails. I like using screw or spiral shank nails from my hitachi framing gun. Either galvanized or you can go stainless. Quick, clean and they never seem to pull out or loosen up. How often do you need to pull deck boards?walk good david
*Your'e on the only road to Rome w/ S.S.fasteners.Another source for ss screws is Swan Secure Products,Inc. 7525 Perryman Court, Baltimore, Md. 21226Trendlines has 'em.They're sqare-drive,bugle-head or finish head, beaver-bite ( or not ) for minimal pre-drilling.Go ahead,ss costs a little more but it's worth it Ss is not brittle but it is softer. pre-drill in or near knots. Good luck !
*b TVMDCMcFeelys makes a supurb SS Auger Point Square Drive Flat Head for $18.02/100 in 10x3". They do not need predrilling in soft woods.They also have Silicone Bronze which are really cool looking when they age but are softer and may need predrilling. $38.06/100.If you want nails, they have 10d 3"x.120 Type 304 SS in Ring Shank Round Head Strip Nails you can shoot whith your Senko, etc. $70.68/1000.By the way, McFeelys, while a distributor, is cheaper than Swan Secure, a mfgr: go figure.McFeelys: 800-443-7937 or mcfeelys.com
*Thanks.The HD nails I mentioned were hot dipped, not home depot.The company that makes the treated wood (cox) recommends screws but does not say why, they do say some nail guns overdrive the nails. I can't tell if that is the only reason they reccommend screws.I have a Senco nail gun I could useWhat to use screws or nails????
*b TVMDCEd, Screws take more time to install and I prefer the look of Square Drive Screws, especially the Silicone Bronze since over time they will develope a nice antique patina.But the Stainless Ring Shank nails are a lot faster and will hold equally well. You can lighten up a bit on the pressure and seat them by hand if you are concerned about overdriving them.By the way, you should also use treated for the floor joists AND put a strip of modified on them to avoid wood-to-wood contact where dry rot can start. I use W.R. Meadows Airshield.Good luck.
*And hand drive the nails.near the stream,aj
*Bill - what is the "modified" you are talking about.Most people here use treated joists and decking with nothing in between.
*b TVMDCEd, "modified" is Modified Bitumen which is commonly used as a single ply roll roofing material, available both smooth for counter flashings and with granules for the field area. It is also available in a thinner version for flashing exterior windows and doors and is far superior to the kraft paper normally used. It is put-up in rolls from 9" x 60' to 36" x 60'. When slit to 1.5" wide, it can be layed on the top of the joists and self-adheres to both the joist and the underside of the deck boards preventing water intrusion that can't escape.As for hand-driving the nails, you will have more time near the stream if you adjust your regulator to just set the nail head rather than over driving it or letting it stand proud.The are several mfgrs other than W.R. Meadows but any of these products can be found at a building supply yard or water proofing supplier.
*and, hand drive the nails....
*b TVMDC"As for hand-driving the nails, you will have more time near the stream if you adjust your regulator to just set the nail head rather than over driving it or letting it stand proud."
*I have at least twenty air tools....and have air nailed decks...I now do mostly handnailed...for many reasons to do with the quality, the speed and just my gut preference.near the stream doing it...my way,aj
*b TVMDCaj, I'm checking with McFeelys to see if they can get the SS Ring Shank nails with a square drive head . . . I'll let you know tomorrow.Rgds, Bill
*AJ, I prefer hand driving deck nails as well. I even prefer framing by hand, but if time is crucial, then I pull out my Hitachi, attach the flush nailer attachment and cruise. A simple tool but it works.walk gooddavid
*Bill, Southern Yellow Pine, what they make the PT stuff around here out of, seems to vary so much in density from board to board, or even from one end of a board to the other, how do you adjust the pressure to compensate? I've had too many end splits from nail guns. Replacing gun nailed boards does not float my boat. I'd love more time by the stream, so how do you do it? Plus, those clipped heads look shitty IMO.Blunting the points, pounding by hand, and, rowing merrilee down the stream (but still looking for other ways)
*and, hand drive the nails. Must agree, aside form the syp density issue, splits, etc. I can never keep my rows as straight with my nailer as I can by hand. Even when I don't bounce fire!Dave
*b TVMDCBB, The McFeely SS Ring Shank nails are full round head. Part # B01-H300 is Colated Strip nails @ $70.68/1000 for 3" x .120. Part #SD4-1030 is loose nails @ $36.76 for a 5lb box of 10d x 3" x 12 gg. Both are type 304.So you can shoot them, hand drive them or use SS screws. Call McFeelys @ 800-443-7937 and order a catalogue.Regards, Bill
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I am installing treated 5/4 planking in a southern coastal city.
What type deck screws are best?
galvanized?
coated?
stainless? ss is too brittle I am told, but i want something rust free.
What type is best and who makes a quality brand??
I bought some HD galv small nails from Lowes, made in China, that were rusting in the box!!!!!!!!