When choosing fasteners for building a deck, OneMonroe has the most extensive selection of fasteners to select from and over 100 years combined experience. Our expertise enables us to offer all the products you need, whether you’re building a deck for your home or operate a business building decks for homeowners across Denver and throughout Colorado. No matter the situation, we only stock quality fasteners, giving you the ability to get the job done right.
With the massive selection of fasteners available these days, no one will say that it’s an easy decision to make. And you’ll likely find that there a few schools of thought for the various options. Bottom line, you want a new deck that’s as sturdy as it is beautiful. That means you’ll also need to consider factors such as climate, moisture levels, usage and the size of the build. So, whether you’re a novice or professional builder, let’s take a look at recommended fasteners for building a deck.
Nails vs. Screws
Each has their benefits, but nails and screws provide the builder with a different experience.
Screw Pros
- Drive in almost as quickly as nails
- Excellent holding power as long as driven correctly
- Easier to remove as long as head is not stripped
- Missing the nail head may mar and damage the wood
- Difficult to remove nails
Nail Pros
- Experienced builders sometimes prefer nails to screws
- Nails drive faster than screws
- Screws puddle water unless the nail is driven too deep
Nail Basics
Sized by length, nails are either penny or d-size. The gauge of the nail, its diameter, increase as the penny size increases. Hence, an 8d nail is smaller in length and width than a 16d nail.
Common Nails
- Used for framing
- Have large heads with thick shanks
- Relatively hard to drive due to their bulk
- May split wood
Box Nails
- Similar to common nails
- Offer thinner shank
- Reduced splitting of ¾-inch wood and thinner
Spiral or Ringshank Nails
- Excellently grip of the wood
- Stay anchored
- Difficult to remove
Finishing Nails
- Offer thinner shanks with barrel-shaped head
- Use for trim
Casing Nails
- Heartier option similar to finishing nails
- Stronger hold for finishing work
Screw Basics
Coming in every size imaginable, a #10 Decking Screw is a popular standard screw size for building decks. You can choose from 2 ½ and 3 ½ inches, depending on the project. These screws are coated with an anti-corrosive. Usually coming with a square, Phillips, or combination head, so be sure to match the drill bit to the screw head, to avoid stripping. One can drive these self-sinking, sharp, and tapered deck screws just about as fast as a nail, so their great fasteners for building a deck. Although, square-headed deck screws drive the best.
While building your deck, you will need to fasten larger wood pieces such as posts. For this, use either a Carriage Bolt or a Lag Screw. Bolts are heavy duty fasteners and offer the capability to tighten down more, later, when the wood shrinks over time. Remember to always use a nut for these fasteners to avoid damaging and compromising the integrity of the wood below.
Other Fastener Options
Sometimes the average is just not good enough. In that case, we have other fasteners for building a deck.
Invisible Deck Fasteners
If you are going for an even finer appearance than average fasteners offer, try Invisible Deck Fasteners. With many options to choose from, you can up your decking game with fasteners that leave your new deck super clean, smooth and finer in appearance. These systems require fastening from below the deck, so are better suited for raised decks.
Often, invisible decking fasteners are used for contemporary designs with intricate patterns. They are somewhat more time-consuming and pricier, but they offer an uncluttered surface to admire. Although, deck clips are an option for working from the top of the deck, being easy to install.
Masonry Fasteners
Masonry fasteners for building a deck come with a pre-assembled anchor bolt that’s sleeve easily slides inside the pre-drilled hole, expanding against the sides and securing there as you tighten the bolt. To use this version, drill a hole of the same diameter but a ½ inch longer. Blow out any dust, then drive the bolt with the nut at the top of the threads. Do not allow the bolt to turn while tightening. Use soft metal or plastic expansion shields which spread out as the bolt tightens, by first drilling a hole of the same size as the expansion shield, then tighten the screw.
Power Fasteners
Speed up your deck project with help from a power-actuated fastening system. With a screw gun or nail gun, your deck will be completed even faster with fasteners for building a deck. Using either air compression, mini-explosives, chemicals, or power cell charges, power fasteners are expensive but can be rented for a reasonable price. Check out the advantages of using power fasteners:
- Can be used with only one hand, while the other hand can be used for alignment and steadying work
- A single measured blow is all it takes to drive the fastener, hence much faster
- No risk of bending or missing nailhead
- No chance of damaging wood due to missing nailhead
- Blunt tips on power fasteners rarely split wood
- Reach difficult spots easily
- Some power guns can be custom set to countersink the fasteners, leaving them perfectly flush for a better finish
Typical Fastener Sizing
With all of the fasteners for building a deck out there, it is worth noting the most common fastener sizing. This will help you get a quick start without making a big mistake doing it.
5/4 Decking with 2 ½ coated screws
Decking Nails:
12d Ringshank/Spiral nails
Railing Nails:
6d, 8d, 10d galvanized finishing or casing nails
Now that you know about some basic fasteners for building a deck, you can get started right away. The dedicated team at OneMonroe is ready to help out whenever you are ready to get started. Our vast inventory and friendly service will ensure that you find the perfect fasteners for every project.