I’m going to use deck screws from HD, I think their Phillips II or something. I’ve used them for a lot of different stuff, but I remember on my own deck a few years ago I wasn’t too satisfied with the look w/o pre-drilling.
Is is worth ordering those fancy deck screws from McFeelys that claim to drill themselves? Or would the price difference plus shipping balance out the extra time taken to just pre-drill?
Replies
When I use screws, I predrill. I think Deck Mate are the best for PT as far as less stripping of the heads, better rust resistance and readily available for a reasonable price. You have to use their bit though. Works great with an impact driver. Those phillips II ones are a distant second. I haven't found any galvanized deck screws that were worth a flip... Really though, I think using deck screws on regular PT decking is a waste of time and money and is less attractive. I do like to use them on steps though because it adds to the structural integrity and that way there is no way a board will ever come loose. I also like using them at key connection points on railings. On the decking itself, air nail em and bury the heads a bit for less callbacks. When I used to build decks for people, I'd offer to screw down the decking at a price - maybe $200 - few people wanted to pay it. Use Trapease on composite decking and trim head SS on exotics.
When using the Deck Mate screws, try a #2 square drive bit. You will never go back to Phillips.
I'll give it a shot sometime but not sure why I would want to since the deck mate screws come with the matching bits.
Matt
I've used the bits that came with the deck Mate screws. The #2 square drive bits work a whole lot better.
We build 30-40 decks a year in Northern Illinois averaging 6-700 sq ft. Most of these decks are PT because thats the market here although I do build with Correct Deck and their eb-ty clips. All of the PT decks we build are screwed. There is no way we would nail the current lumber even though all we use is premium SYP. I would have to go out to the truck and see what the brand is of screws but we get them from our local hardware supplier. Thay are a green coated screw with a split tip for self drilling and nibs under the head for setting. We run them in slightly and the grain will settle back over them making them almost disappear after a couple days. The only time we pre drill is if we are right on the end of the board and we try to avoid that in our framing. Even though we are building with PT I have 30 years of perfecting how I design and build my decks. Getting people to pay what they are worth is a whole other story but I don't lower my quality no matter what the customer is paying.