Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Deck Fasteners*

Deck fasteners are screws especially manufactured to fasten the many soft, thin planks of a wood en deck in place. Wooden decks must be able to withstand many different kinds of weather and corrosion, and so deck fasteners must be able to stand up to these elements just as well. Therefore, deck fasteners are usually coated with a weather-resistant coating that protects them from rust and corrosion.

The coating is made of zinc plating. A steel screw plated with zinc is called a galvanized steel screw. A screw can also be coated in a ceramic material. Deck screws can also be made of stainless steel or high-copper-content screws, as these screws won't stain the deck.


Deck fasteners are designed to drill their own hole, drive downward gradually and easily, lay flat against the surface of the deck, and be difficult to extract once inserted. For this reason, deck screws are said to be sharp-pointed, self-drilling, self-countersinking, and shallow-threaded. Sharp points eliminate the need for extra drills.

The threads of a deck screw are sharp as well. The top of the shank, up at the collar by the head, flares upward, so that it sets perfectly level with the deck. The threads of the screw are set at a very gradual or shallow degree, so that the screw goes in easier. Some deck screws are even lubricated, for even greater ease of insertion.

The heads usually have a square-shaped insertion point for a square-headed screwdriver or screw gun. Square heads don't accidentally strip as easily as Phillips-head screwdrivers.

Hidden Deck Fasteners

Hidden deck fasteners or "blind" deck fasteners eliminate screws from view entirely. Rather than drilling into the surface of the deck and into the under-support, the thin planks fit together like a simple jigsaw puzzle using a series of brackets. These brackets are attached to the side faces of the planks using screws. You screw the first or edge plank normally, and then you fit the second planks into it via a slot. Follow this series until you get to the end of the deck. Fasten the last plank in place normally, and voila! You have a new deck with no visible screws. The deck holds together as if it were one piece of wood.

Nailing

Nails are still used often but are becoming less and less popular. The most widely used nail is a spiral nail with a small head on it. They should be made of stainless steel to extend their life and also avoid staining the deck. (Photo2)

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