Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Nails or Screws?
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bmallon
05-28-02, 01:20 PM
I am doing some repairs on a roofdeck.
Every year, we have to go around and repound all the nails.
Now, I am working on replacing a couple of old boards, and I have to ask myself the question, why not use screws instead of nails? Is it because it is easier to replace the boards when using nails? Is there some other good reason?
This may be a real basic question, but I would love to know the answer - when do you use nails in the deck, and when screws? and why?
Thanks.
Every year, we have to go around and repound all the nails.
Now, I am working on replacing a couple of old boards, and I have to ask myself the question, why not use screws instead of nails? Is it because it is easier to replace the boards when using nails? Is there some other good reason?
This may be a real basic question, but I would love to know the answer - when do you use nails in the deck, and when screws? and why?
Thanks.
Herm
05-28-02, 01:23 PM
I say screws all the way.
I have to go around our deck to pound the stupid nails in every year also. With screws it's easier to replace baords (if you have to) also.
Just my .02
I have to go around our deck to pound the stupid nails in every year also. With screws it's easier to replace baords (if you have to) also.
Just my .02
fewalt
05-28-02, 08:42 PM
bmallon,
My money is on the screws also..
And I'd go one step further, use #2 square drive screws and you won't strip a head like on a phillips.
fred
My money is on the screws also..
And I'd go one step further, use #2 square drive screws and you won't strip a head like on a phillips.
fred
Herm
05-28-02, 08:49 PM
Originally posted by fewalt
#2 square drive screws and you won't strip a head like on a phillips.
I use square drive screws exclusively, on all my projects, for that very same reason.
#2 square drive screws and you won't strip a head like on a phillips.
I use square drive screws exclusively, on all my projects, for that very same reason.
josh1
06-07-02, 02:17 AM
contractors use clipped head nails because they can lay down decking faster ... for my money square drive SS screws .. yes 10 cents each .. but worth their weight in ..well more SS preferably..
Hope this helps--Josh
Hope this helps--Josh
yardnut
06-07-02, 10:49 AM
The guy that built my deck used a nail gun - and now I'd like to use it on him. I have had to add screws to all my benches and many of the boards, in addition to repounding the popped nails. If ever a next time, screws all the way. Now I know why his price was so reasonable!
MeffaDawg
06-08-02, 05:11 PM
I say screws also, and the square heads are the way to go.
Also, I have a cedar deck, about 4yrs old now, and not really knowing any better at the time I used my nail gun with ringed or underlayment nails and I don't have any problems. I wonder why not?
Also, I have a cedar deck, about 4yrs old now, and not really knowing any better at the time I used my nail gun with ringed or underlayment nails and I don't have any problems. I wonder why not?
Bruce H
06-09-02, 04:23 AM
I built a deck last fall and to help justify the cost of a nail gun I bought to my wife, I thought I would be smart and use ring shank galvanized nails. Didn't work! I still had to pound down some nails this year. I should have known better; lesson learned.
Bruce
Bruce