How Much to Space The Deck Boards: will someone fall into the gap? This is particularly important if you have to deal with butt joints arrange the decking so that the joints are staggered before you start driving fasteners. That way you will not have far to reach for a new board as you work.
The job will go quicker if you scatter boards for 10 to 15 rows of decking across the joists first.
In terms of fastener lengths, use 3-inch screws or 12d nails for 2 X 4 or 2 x 6 decking, and 2 1/2inch screws or 10d nails for 5/4 X 4 or % x 6 decking. Stainless steel deck board screws should also be used near salt water. Composite decking can usually be installed with galvanized fasteners, but it is smart to check with the manufacturer. Western red cedar, and tropical hardwoods. Galvanized fasteners work fine on pressure-treated lumber, while stainless steel is a better choice with redwood, If you would rather not have to see screw or nail heads on your deck,īe sure to match the fastener you use with the decking you are installing. The one shortcoming that both fasteners share is that they are visible on the deck surface. Be sure to use ring-shank or spiral-groove nails, which hold much better than common nails.įor the tightest connection, it is hard to beat decking screws. The quickest and the least expensive way to fasten decking boards is to nail them on.
Deck Board Installation: how to connect decking to the deck framing We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need.
This article series describes construction details for decks and porches, including deck structures, floors, and other components like deck stairs and railings. We describe how to lay out and fasten deck boards to the deck floor joist structure and how to decide on the appropriate deck board gap.Ĭhoices of deck board fastener types and methods include nails, screws, clips, and a wide variety of hidden deck board fastener systems that we describe here as well. How to lay out, place, & secure decking: the deck flooring. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. Thrulok™ has the speed of a LOK fasterner with the strength of a through bolted connection.InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. Unique tapered head countersinks easily into wood for a flush appearance. Timberlok™ is great for landscaping, hanging headers, LVL beams, trusses, cabinets and shelves. Pneumatic Installation Gun Grooved Boardc Stainless Steel Pneumatic Screws Grooved Board 500 sq ft It has been specificallyĭesigned to work in 5/4” or greater x 4” or 6” decking that is pre-grooved or rooved with the TC-150 slot cutter.ġ" or thicker Softwood Deck Fastener Treated18ġ" or thicker Softwood Deck Fastener Cedar & Redwood The Tiger Claw TC-G clip system is the fastest, easiest way to hide fasteners on grooved decking.