Not all deck screws are the same. Choosing the right screws for outdoor use depends on the wood type, how easily you want to drive them into the wood, and the brands that most experienced deck builders trust.
Eagle Claw Fasteners and Simpson Strong-Tie are among the most trusted brands, each known for making some of the best deck screws on the market.
If you typically use Simpson Strong-Tie, we'll tell you why Eagle Claw screws are the best alternative to Simpson Strong-Tie screws. We’ll help you decide if Eagle Claw or Simpson Strong-Tie decking screws are best for your specific decking project.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Eagle Claw Fasteners provide better stainless steel deck screws due to the combination of performance and cost-efficiency.
- Simpson Strong-Tie provides a wider range of deck screw options for all types of wood, deck sizes, and budgets.
- Eagle Claw Fasteners offers better prices on stainless steel deck fasteners compared to Simpson Strong-Tie.
- Both Eagle Claw Fasteners and Simpson Strong-Tie offer decking screws that are easy to drive.
- The Simpson Strong-Tie Quik Drive® auto-feed screw-driving system is great for large decks.
- Both decking screw brands are designed by professional deck builders with years of experience.
Eagle Claw Fasteners vs. Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Screws Features
Eagle Claw Fasteners and Simpson Strong-Tie offer the best deck screw options that are perfect for any deck-building project. The choice between the two solely depends on your budget and location. These deck screw brands have fasteners that offer reliability for all DIY enthusiasts and professional deck builders.
Eagle Claw Fasteners
Eagle Claw is ideal for projects where rustproof reliability is key. Their 304 stainless screws are best for standard residential decks in non-extreme climates, while their 316 stainless screws are better suited for decks near pools, in coastal areas, or exposed to high humidity.
Eagle Claw deck screws are excellent for surface deck boards and railings where long-term appearance and integrity matter.
Each pack includes a star or Torx driver bit, a carpenter pencil, and a prayer pamphlet, small but appreciated additions that their loyal customers love about them.
Eagle Claw Deck Screw Products and Features
304 Stainless Steel Deck Screws
- Made from Type 304 (18-8) stainless steel for strength and moderate corrosion resistance
- Flat head with nibs for a clean, flush finish
- Type 17 point for easier starting in hardwoods and softwoods (pilot holes recommended)
- Star (Torx) drive head reduces cam-out and stripping
- Burnished finish adds a clean, polished look to finished wood
- Ideal for decks, fences, and framing in wet but non-marine environments
316 Stainless Steel Deck Screws
- Shares the same physical features as the 304 version. It features a flat head with nibs, a Type 17 point, and a star (Torx) drive
- Made from 316 marine-grade stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance
- Ideal for coastal areas, poolside projects, docks, jetties, and other marine or salt-heavy environments
Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Fasteners
Simpson Strong-Tie offers a wider product variety with screws designed for wood, hardwood, composite, and mixed-material framing. Their screws often feature proprietary coatings, custom heads, and thread patterns suited to specialty deck designs.
Simpson Strong-Tie Deck Fastener Products and Features
Deck-Drive® DWP (305 and 316 Stainless)
- 305 and 316-grade stainless steel to cater to all environments
- Trim head; also available in flat-head version
- Box thread for fast driving and reduced splitting
- Sharp point for smooth starts in standard wood deck boards
- Both 305 and 316 are available in collated strips, perfect for the Quik Drive® auto-feed screw-driving system
Deck-Drive™ DHPD (305 Stainless)
- The DHPD is designed for hardwood decking
- #2 Square drive bit (replacement bit model BIT2S-2-R2)
- 305-grade stainless steel for humid locations
- Paddle-style drill point eliminates predrilling in hardwoods.
- Wings counterbore dense material to help with countersinking.
Deck-Drive™ DSV (Coated)
- Nibs under head for clean finish in pressure-treated lumber
- Type 17 point with aggressive thread for fast starts
- The DSV has Quik Guard® coating for added rust resistance
- Low-torque threads allow 1/3 more screws per battery charge.
- The T25 6-lobe flat head
- Available in collated strips (Quik Drive®)
- Available in red color. Red coating is best matched with redwood, mahogany, cedar (stained), and other reddish hardwoods.
- Available in tan color. Tan coating is best matched with pressure-treated pine (natural or light brown), cedar (unstained or lightly stained), light brown composite decking, and beige or tan-colored PVC decking.
Deck-Drive™ DCSD (Coated)
- #2 square drive (replacement bit BIT2SU)
- The DCSD is engineered for fastening composite decking to steel joists
- Durable coating to resist corrosion and wear from metal-on-metal contact
Eagle Claw vs. Simpson Strong-Tie Price Comparison
Eagle Claw 304 SS Deck Screw Sizes and Prices (Per 350 Pack)
|
Screw Size |
Price (per box) |
|
#8 x 1 5/8" |
$38.49 |
|
#10 x 2" |
$51.95 |
|
#10 x 2 1/2" |
$62.95 |
|
#10 x 3" |
$72.95 |
|
#10 x 3 1/2" |
$94.49 |
|
#12 x 4" |
$139.49 |
Eagle Claw 316 SS Deck Screw Sizes and Prices (Per 350 Pack)
|
Screw Size |
Price (per box) |
|
#10 x 2 1/2" |
$79.49 |
|
#10 x 3" |
$95.95 |
Simpson DWP Wood 316 SS Screw Sizes and Prices
|
Screw Size |
Pack Type |
Price |
|
#10 x 2" |
5 lb. |
$116.67 |
|
#10 x 2 1/2" |
5 lb. |
$116.95 |
|
#10 x 3" |
5 lb. |
$116.95 |
|
#10 x 3 1/2" |
1000 qty |
$382.50 |
|
#10 x 4 1/2" |
1000 qty |
$468.95 |
Simpson Deck-Drive™ DHPD Hardwood Decking Screw Size and Price (Per 350 Pack)
|
Screw Size |
Price |
|
#10 x 2 1/2" |
$163.79 |
Simpson Deck Drive DSV Wood Screw Sizes and Prices
|
Screw Size |
Price |
|
#8 x 1 1/4" |
$39.39 |
|
#8 x 1 5/8" |
$42.38 |
|
#10 x 2" |
$46.06 |
|
#10 x 2 1/2" |
$50.24 |
|
#10 x 3" |
$54.95 |
|
#10 x 3 1/2" |
$65.03 |
|
#10 x 4" |
$72.80 |
What's the Best Stainless Steel Deck Screw Brand?
Eagle Claw Fasteners is the best stainless steel deck screw brand because it offers the ideal balance of superior corrosion resistance and price.
With their all-in focus on stainless steel deck fasteners and more reasonable pricing compared to Simpson's deck drive screws, Eagle Claw stands out for homeowners and pro deck builders who want long-term rust protection without going over the budget.
Simpson Strong-Tie still delivers excellent stainless screws and more coated varieties, but if you're building a straightforward deck and want trusted stainless durability, Eagle Claw is your best choice.
Which Brand Drives Faster and Cleaner?
When you're driving 1,500 to 2,000 screws into a single deck build, how fast the screw sinks and how cleanly it sets into the wood matter a lot. Both Eagle Claw and Simpson Strong-Tie deck fasteners include features that allow for faster and cleaner installation.
Eagle Claw Decking Screw Installation
Eagle Claw Fasteners are designed with Torx (star) heads and sharp Type 17 points. The Torx heads help reduce cam-out and stripping. This is especially helpful when fastening surface deck boards and railings where appearance matters.
Eagle Claw’s Type 17 points make starting into wood easier, and the screws seat flush and clean with minimal tear-out. You'll be building a deck with a consistent, polished surface with fewer touch-ups. However, deck builders should follow the manufacturer’s recommendation to pre-drill holes when installing stainless steel screws.
Simpson Strong-Tie Decking Screw Installation
Simpson Strong-Tie focuses on application-specific engineering when designing their decking screws.
Their DHPD screws use paddle-style drill points and self-countersinking wings for cleaner entry into dense hardwoods, eliminating the need for pre-drilling. The DSV screws feature aggressive threads that power through pressure-treated lumber quickly, while the DCSD line includes #2 square heads designed for high-torque composite-to-steel fastening.
For even faster installation and to reduce fatigue when building decks that are 500 square feet or more, consider investing in Simpson’s Quik Drive® auto-feed screw-driving system. Simpson Quik Drive screws are available in coated, composite, 305, and 316 grade stainless steel.
So, which brand drives faster and cleaner? If your goal is speed, comfort, and a crisp finish, Eagle Claw makes driving clean and easy. For fast-paced, material-specific jobs, Simpson Strong-Tie delivers targeted performance that’s engineered for speed and precision.
Who Makes the Best Deck Screws?
Deck builders, whether they’re building their own deck or their clients’, mostly trust two deck screw brands: Eagle Claw Fasteners and Simpson Strong-Tie.
Both brands have sold millions of their deck-fastening solutions and continue to be the top two choices of professional carpenters and hands-on homeowners building their own decks.
There are many deck screw distributors out there, but ATC Construction Fasteners stands out because of their excellent customer service. You’ll receive the exact number of screws you’ve ordered online, and our support team is always ready to work with you should problems arise.
Sign up today and get a discount in exchange for your email!
FAQs
Where are Eagle Claw screws made?
Eagle Claw screws are made in Taiwan and not in China. Their wood screws are designed by professional carpenters with years of experience building decks.
Are Eagle Claw screws good?
Yes, Eagle Claw screws are good decking screws. They are even considered one of the best decking screws by many professionals. Their fasteners are designed by American deck builders who know what features make a very reliable decking screw. With decades of deck-building knowledge, they've chosen stainless steel for durability and included features like Torx heads, Type 17 points, and deep threads for enhanced performance.
Are Simpson Strong-Tie screws structural?
Yes, many Simpson Strong-Tie screws are structural. They are engineered and tested for framing, joist connections, ledger boards, and other load-bearing applications. The Strong-Drive® SDWS, SDWH, and some Deck-Drive™ screws meet the code requirements for shear and tension strength.
What is the most common deck screw?
The most common deck screw is a #10 x 2 1/2" screw. This size is frequently used to secure deck boards to the frame because it offers the ideal balance of length and holding power for various decking materials such as pressure-treated wood, composite, and hardwood.
Both Eagle Claw and Simpson Strong-Tie offer #10 x 2 1/2" screws made of stainless steel, which is why these brands are the top choices for many builders.
