When it comes to choosing the best deck fastener for your wood decking, the options can be overwhelming. Clients often inquire, “What’s the best deck fastener for me to use?” The decision hinges on various factors, such as your deck project’s conditions. At Brazilian Wood Depot, headquartered in Georgia, and servicing clients nationwide, we understand the importance of selecting the right deck fastening method, and we’re here to guide you. Deck screws and hidden fasteners are the two primary options.
Strongest Deck Fastening Method Face screwing wood decking boards directly into the deck joists is widely recognized as the strongest deck fastening method available. This method involves using two screws per board width, fastening at every joist location. This not only ensures a robust connection between the deck boards and joists but also provides extra lateral bracing for the entire deck structure, enhancing its overall strength. In addition, face screwing helps minimize the potential for deck boards to ‘cup.’
In certain deck installation scenarios, such as low ventilation decks, decks close to the ground, decks with wider boards, or those in high moisture areas, face screwing the deck boards is the ideal choice for long-lasting and worry-free performance.
Considering Concealed Fasteners For those who prefer a cleaner and more streamlined look without visible screw heads on their deck boards, alternative methods have been developed. While many contractors opt for face-screwed decking to avoid callbacks from dissatisfied customers, some skilled craftsmen take the extra time and effort to screw, countersink, and then plug the screw heads with matching wood plugs.
Using wood plugs to conceal screw heads is a meticulous and artistic approach to deck installation. The results often showcase the work of a skilled artisan, creating a beautiful finish. However, it’s essential to be aware that this method incurs additional labor costs upfront, and over time, some plugs may need maintenance.
Concealed Deck Fasteners for Aesthetics Concealed deck fasteners have gained popularity because they do not protrude on the face of the deck boards. The finished decking appears visually pleasing and, in many cases, performs admirably over time. These fasteners are most suitable for well-ventilated decks situated high above the ground in low moisture areas, particularly when using narrower deck boards. These conditions provide the best long-term performance and aesthetics for hidden deck fasteners.
Matching Decking Conditions If your deck does not meet these specific requirements, it’s advisable to explore other deck fastening options. Hidden fasteners are least recommended for decks with low clearance, limited ventilation, or in moist areas, especially when using wider deck boards.
Wood naturally expands and contracts throughout its lifetime due to environmental factors. Given that exterior decking is exposed to outdoor climate and weather extremes, it is particularly susceptible to these natural wood movements. While most of this movement occurs during the wood’s acclimation on-site before installation, seasonal fluctuations continue to impact wood. Narrower deck boards, which expand and contract less, and thicker deck boards, which are more resistant to cupping, are the optimal choices for hidden fasteners. Pre-grooved nominal 5/4 x 4 decking boards are considered the ideal size for hidden deck fastener installations.
