What Are Decking Screws?

Without a doubt, a decking screw is an essential material while building a deck. However, with so many screws on the market today, distinguishing a decking screw from a timber screw can be difficult. However, you should be aware that all screws are used to join wooden timbers or materials, and both decking and conventional wooden screws perform identical functions.

Still, the difference between the two is that a wooden screw has a head, a drive, a thread, a tip, and a long shank, whereas a decking screw has all of the above qualities but a shorter shank. By the way, the shank is a smooth cylindrical surface between the screw’s head and the thread that lowers the possibility of torsion and timber snapping or splitting during installation.

It has already been established that a decking screw has a shorter shank than a wooden screw in order to provide the maximum grip of the timber, resulting in a more sturdy fastening and long-term endurance of the construction. Furthermore, decking screws are compatible with the many designs developed by manufacturers to address the torsion issue, making them a far superior solution to hardwood screws. This is particularly important for any decking projects.

Now that we’ve established what a decking screw is and how it differs from a wooden screw, let’s look at how to identify a decking screw in the simplest way possible. Of course, this is critical since, with so many manufacturers creating unique decking screws, selecting the proper decking screw for your needs can be difficult. This post will go over several elements of a decking screw to help you with identification and choosing. You’ll want to keep reading until the end because we’ve got a lot of exciting and eye-opening information for you.

Choosing a Decking Screw

When selecting a decking screw, three factors must be taken into account:

Profile of the head

Point of self-drilling

Corrosion protection

Head Profile

The head profile is concerned with the screw’s head, which is an important factor to consider when selecting a screw. It would be beneficial if you examined how it would appear on the timber because it will be apparent when drilled into lumber, contributing to the aesthetics of the wooden construction. Decking screws come in a variety of colors and shapes, so before you start installing, evaluate whether the decking screw you buy looks visually appealing on the structure.

The size of the decking screw head is the next thing you should think about. Why? Because the screw head prevents the wood from springing out long after installation, the size is more significant than the appearance. Cupping is a timber problem produced by moisture accumulating in the timber over time, resulting in unequal expansion of the timber to a U-bent form, reducing the durability of the structure; the larger the size of the head, the less possibility of cupping. This is because the massive size of the head ensures that the wood is held firmly together, and regardless of the stress caused by moisture content, the timber cannot cup, assuring the durability of the wooden structure. Decking screws are available in sizes ranging from 6g to 14g, therefore the larger the head size of the decking screw that should be utilised, the thicker the board.

Self Drilling Point

Type 17 points: This element is related to the other components of the decking screw, such as the tip, thread, and shank, as well as their design and the type of wood it can be used on, whether hardwood or softwood. It is considerably simpler than selecting head profiles. There are two types of points available for decking screws:

Type 17 points: This is a sort of timber self-drill point with a sharply pointed design and a cutout flute that helps to trap and eliminate waste timber, allowing for self-drilling. It is extremely successful since it does not over-drill, has a tight grip on the timbre, and can be used on both softwood and hardwood.

Self-drilling Decking Screw Point: This kind is simple to use since it bores out many more holes than the type 17 point, ensuring less timber for the thread to grip, decreasing torsion and the risk of snapping during installation, and leaving a massive hole for the screw head to sink into. Because it does not require full thread gripping, this self-drilling point works best on hardwood rather than softwood.

Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion resistance refers to the rusting of the decking screw as a result of exposure to air moisture; the corrosion resistance of the decking screw is largely dependent on the type of material it is constructed of, which is why decking screw materials are divided into four corrosion resistance levels:

Class 3 Hot Dip Galvanized: These are rarely sold, but due to their carbon steel basis, they are robust decking screws. They are, however, highly corrosive and should only be utilised in non-corrosive situations.

1. Trademark Coatings:These perform better in terms of corrosion resistance than Hot Dip Galvanized because they are coated with ceramics or Rupert or a combination of both and carbon steel, therefore they are also robust torsionally but will serve better in a non-corrosive environment. 
2. 304-Grade Stainless: This is the most prevalent level of decking screws on the market since it has good corrosion resistance while still retaining some carbon steel for strength; also, it may be used in any location except extremely corrosive situations.
3. 316 Marine Grade Stainless: This is the most corrosion-resistant level of decking screws, but it contains very little carbon steel, making it torsionally weak; it should be used only if you live in a particularly corrosive climate.

Conclusion

When selecting a decking screw, it is critical to examine a number of aspects, some of which we have already addressed. The exterior aesthetics to the size of the head when lowering the risk of cupping, the self-drilling point to minimise the risk of snapping, and finally, the amount of corrosiveness of the environment you live in are some of the factors we covered.

Indeed, considering all of these variables before making a purchase will assist you in ensuring the endurance of the wooden structure after installation. It also delivers the desired quality appeal for your project. Surely, the ideas and factors presented in this article will serve as a sufficient guide for your ideal decking screw selection. You should absolutely keep them in mind while purchasing screws.

EZY Decking is Brisbane’s go-to supplier of high-quality, simple-to-use, countersink flush and straight screws for composite decking and other wood outdoor projects. The result is a deck that looks great and can be used without worry by anyone in the family or any guests.