While nails have always been a necessity for at least part of the construction of a deck there was a time when screws were just too laborious to consider before the invention of power drivers nails could be pounded in quickly with a hammer while screws required pilot holes and hard to use manual drivers.
Galvanized roofing screws instead of nails.
Known as hot tip galvanizing this finishing process adds a layer of zinc over the surface of a screw.
Protect against corrosion and rust by using mechanically galvanized fasteners.
While most often people opt for one of the first two especially for using only screws i recommend using both screws and nails each in different parts of the deck.
Variety and choice matter.
Vinyl use 1 2 galvanized roofing nails depending on material thickness you re nailing into.
The problem is that this strength might only be skin deep so to speak.
The advent of the phillips head screw in the 1930s changed everything and began the slow movement from hammering nails to driving screws.
Look for and use fasteners with a strong v neck head to prevent product breakage while on the job site.
Galvanized roofing nails or steel nails coated in zinc are perfect for asphalt shingles and they hold up well against rust.
Instead of carbon steel screws use stainless steel or zinc aluminum cap screws.
Install the roofing screws vertically along each rib in the panel.
If you are planning to build yourself a wood deck you have three options use only screws only nails or a mix of both.
When a screw is galvanized it s submerged inside a container filled with molten zinc.
This type of nail isn t the worst type of nail to use but it s only slightly better than the worst.
Some say you can use screws but use an exterior 8 1 5 8 rounded domed head screw.
The washer under the screw head should seal to the surface of the panel without bulging or shifting.
Nails building a deck.
If you have a traditional columbus roofing surface then you may want to use roofing nails made from copper.
T1 11 use a 12d hot dipped galvanized nail or 8 1 5 8 deck screw.
A galvanized screw seems very strong to begin with every bit as strong as stainless steel surely.
Aluminum nails should be used for surfaces made out of metal and siding.
Nails or screws for deck building.
Under that thin layer of hard wearing zinc is plain black steel that is very susceptible to rust and corrosion.
Galvanized screws are characterized by the presence of a protective zinc shell that s achieved by submerging the screws in molten zinc.
Secure the screws but do not overtighten.
Which is why we find it surprising that many fencing companies use screw shank nails on their fences.