When building a deck, you’ll need to use the right type of screws. Most decks consist of wooden planks. These planks, of course, must be secured to the frame with screws. Rather than using traditional wood screws, though, you should consider using deck screws. What are deck screws exactly, and how do they differ from wood screws?
Overview of Deck Screws
Deck screws are threaded fasteners that are designed specifically for decks. They feature a tip, a shank and a head. Within the head is a recess for a particular type of bit, such as a Philips head bit. Regardless, deck screws are threaded fasteners that are used for building decks.
Deck Screws vs Wood Screws
While they are both used in woodworking applications, deck screws and wood screws aren’t the same. Most deck screws have a fully threaded shank. In other words, the exterior ridges extend all the way from the tip to the head. Wood screws are available in different designs. Some wood screws have a similar type of fully threaded shank, whereas other wood screws only have a partially threaded shank.
Deck screws and wood screws are also available in different materials. You can find wood screws in many different materials, including stainless steel and carbon steel. Deck screws, conversely, are made specifically of corrosion-resistant materials. Some deck screws are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is an iron alloy that’s highly resistant to corrosion. Other deck screws are made of copper. Copper is a strong metal that exhibits corrosion-resistant properties.
If you compare a deck screw to a wood screw, you may notice that the former has deeper threading than the latter. The exterior threading on deck screws is deeper than that of wood screws. Deep threading allows deck screws to dig into the wooden planks of a deck.
Things to Consider When Choosing Deck Screws
When choosing deck screws, you should consider the drive type. The drive type is determined by the head recess. You should also choose deck screws in an appropriate material. As previously mentioned, they are typically made of corrosion-resistant materials. In addition to corrosion resistance, though, the material from which they are made should be strong and durable.
Don’t forget to consider the length when choosing deck screws. They should be long enough to fully secure the wooden planks. But deck screws shouldn’t be so long that they protrude out of the back of the wooden planks.