When searching for appropriate screws to secure the deck, it’s necessary to note the material from which the screw is made and if there is a protective coating.

It’s important to take some time to consider the features and factors of deck screws, and how they affect the quality, durability, and suitability of the product. While the deck board, posts, and railings are responsible for supporting people and items on the deck, the deck screws and fasteners hold the entire structure in place. Photo: What to Consider When Choosing the Best Deck Screws

ALSO CONSIDER: Eagle Claw 304 Stainless Steel Deck Screws.BEST FOR RAILINGS: FastenMaster FMTLOK06-50 TimberLOK.BEST FOR JOIST BEARINGS: Deck Plus 48415 Wood Screws.BEST FOR DECK FRAMING: GRK RSS-185 Structural Screws.BEST FOR COMPOSITE: Jake Sales Composite Decking Wood Screw.PRESSURE TREATED WOOD PICK: Power Pro 48611 Premium Exterior Wood Screws.BEST BUDGET: Hillman Fasteners 48419 Deck Screws.BEST OVERALL: SNUG Fasteners Tan Fence & Deck Screws | Star Drive.Keep reading to find out more about the best deck screws needed for your outdoor project. Coastal areas, salt exposure, and chloride could also cause decay over time, so the right screw type prevents unwanted damage. Non-treated wood requires different screws than common treated options like pressure-treated lumber. If you are constructing a new deck or repairing an old one, selecting the best performing deck screws is important.īefore beginning a project, consider your decking materials and climate. Learn More ›ĭeck screws secure decking boards that make up the walking surface of a deck, porch, dock, or boardwalk. We see several different types of threads that help when installing various fasteners into pressure-treated or composite deck boards.We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Now, manufacturers of decking screws have really studied and perfected their products. Compared to other drive types, Philips slows you down. For us, it has more to do with speeding up our workflow.

Many times manufacturers use different types of bits to help set their product apart from other similar products. Using a cordless impact driver also helps to drive screws without stripping the heads. Other than perhaps cost, we see no reason to choose these over T-25 star drive.Įditor’s Note: The biggest reason screw heads get stripped out is because the bits are worn. Many coated deck screws still use a Philips head or a variation of a Philips-type drive. This results in a very confident start, and the bit stays in the fastener throughout the drive. This makes it easier to drive and harder for impact driver bits to strip the heads of stainless steel decking screws.įor coated screws, we typically prefer Torx or star drive (T-25) as it gives you lots of points of contact. Square (Roberts) drive provides a more positive bit engagement over Philips. When it comes to the type of drive you want in your decking screws, we can all agree on one thing: Philips and “Bugle” heads are out! We highly recommend the use of either square drive or Torx (or the similar “star drive”). The worse the environment (think of a raised oceanfront beach home as your extreme), the more you want to focus on the deck screw material. No matter what type of exterior screw you use, ensure it includes a coating to protect it from the elements…unless you go with stainless steel. GrabberGard screws claim an encapsulated substrate which they bond with the surface coating using a thermal fusion process.

Home depot stainless steel deck screws