decking screws

tgsnj

I am building a new deck and have a couple questions. Using 5-1/4 X 6 pt decking boards. What length of screws should be used and how many screws to the board?

joecaption

5-1/4 thick
Going to need 7" lag bolts.
Only kidding, 2-1/2 ceramic coated decking screws will work fine.
2, screws per board in each joist.
If there was only one there going to curl more then they already will.

If you use an impact driver it will work far better then a drill.

hand drive

2 screws per joist intersection,screws need to be located about 1" in from the deck board edges. If the decking lumber is really wet with treatment a construction adhesive glue placed between joist and decking board during installation may help slow down initial shrinkage of the lumber.

woodworkbykirk

i agree with the 2 1/1" coated screws and to have 2 per joist on every board 1" in from the edge.. but using construction adhesive to slow shrinking??????????? that wont do anything.. the shrinking is caused by the wood drying out..

the only thing i would advise is to make sure you snap some control lines to use for keeping the boards straight, also use a common nail or the blade of a speed square to use as a spacer for the boards. though some slam the boards tight together as when the boards dry out they will shrink creating a small gap for drainage

Davejss

Don't bother with a spacer. P.T. Decking will shrink more than enough to leave a proper gap. I'm not a screw fan. I prefer 8d galvy ring gun nails. Much, much quicker than screws and they hold just fine. I've been building P.T. decks like this forever and I've never had an issue.