If you want your deck to turn out the way you've envisioned it, every detail matters, and choosing the best deck screws is among the most crucial decisions you'll face.
Whether you're working with hardwood, softwood, or one of those fancy composite materials, you'll need screws that complement the material’s properties.
Choosing the wrong screws can lead to major issues down the line. It can weaken your deck's framework and ruin your deck's attractive finishes due to corrosion.
The decking screws you select are important in both ease of installation and cutting repair and maintenance costs. Make sure you go through the list of the best deck screw options of 2024 to ensure you're investing in decking materials that are worth your time and money.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- The best decking screws are stainless steel deck screws. These screws are ideal for hardwoods, softwoods, and composite decking. Eagle Claw stainless steel fasteners provide both 304 and 316 grade screws for superior rust protection.
- Simpson Strong-Tie's DSV Deck Screws, coated with Strong-Ties proprietary Quik-Guard treatment, are coated screws that are best for preservative-treated wood installed in applications requiring a low to medium level of corrosion resistance.
- You should consider the decking material, screw head types, drive types, thread, and screw size before buying any screw.
The Best Deck Screw for Different Types Decking Material
Eagle Claw Deck Screws - 304 & 316 Grade
Eagle Claw stainless steel deck screws are available in 304 grade and in 316 grade.
These decking screws are designed with you in mind, which means they are engineered for durability, rust resistance, versatility, and ease of use—making them the top of the list of your best deck screw options.
Ideal for Wood Decking Materials:
- Softwood: Redwood, Cedar, Pressure-treated timber, and Pine.
- Hardwood: Oak, Maple, Ipe, Cumaru, and other dense tropical hardwoods.
- Composite: All types of Composite decking..
For best results, pre-drill in hardwoods and dense woods, and make sure you use the right torque settings to keep the screws from overtightening.
Why It's On The List (Key Features):
- Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, ensuring they stay rust-free and won't easily corrode even in extreme conditions.
- Keeps your deck looking great without the unsightly rust stains that other fasteners might cause.
- Makes the installation process easier and quicker.
- Has a Torx ( 6-lobe or Star Drive) head design to avoid cam-out. This means that the screw head will be preserved, and your driver bits will last longer.
- Has a Type-17 point, which means it starts quickly and drives easily into the wood. With nibs under the flat head, the screw can be seated without causing splintering.
When To Use 304 and 305 Grade Stainless Steel Screws
- General outdoor use
- Humid environments
- Wet environments
When To Use 316 Stainless Steel Screws
- Coastal areas and regions with heavy rainfall and high humidity.
- Boat building.
- Pool decks and hot tub structures exposed to high levels of chlorine.
- Direct saltwater exposure, like marinas, floating docks, and boardwalks.
- High heat and humidity environments like saunas.
Deck-Drive DSV Deck Screws
Simpson Strong-Tie's Deck-Drive DSV deck screws are also an effective, load-rated fastening solution designed particularly for preservative-treated decking applications. These coated fasteners are load-rated for shear, pull-through, and withdrawal resistance.
Ideal for Wood Decking Materials:
- Preservative-treated decking
- Exterior wood and engineered wood
Why It's On The List (Key Features):
- Can withstand various types of stress, including pulling and twisting.
- With low-torque threads, you can install up to 35% more screws on just one battery charge.
- The screw will sit precisely flush with the wood thanks to the specially designed flat head with nibs.
- Engineered with an innovative high-low thread specification and a Type-17 point, allowing these fasteners to start quickly and smoothly, making the installation process fast and hassle-free.
- Specially engineered to work with dimensional lumber, these coated screws give you a snug and secure fit every time.
- Their Quik Guard® coating protects your decks from rust and makes them ideal for preservative-treated wood in applications with low to medium corrosion requirements.
- The coating matches the color of your preservative-treated wood, leaving you with a natural and attractive finish.
Deck-Drive DHPD Decking Screws
Deck-Drive™ DHPD Hardwood Screw is specially designed to easily go through the toughest wood and wood-based materials.
Ideal for Wood Decking Materials:
Hardwood: Ipe, Teak, Oak, and Maple
Why It's On The List (Key Features):
- Drill through the toughest wood without pre-drilling.
- Compact head is low-profile, lowering visibility and increasing aesthetic appeal. .
- For ease of installation, the shank's wings counterbore tough materials while letting the head countersink easily.
Strong Drive DWP - 304 & 316 Grade Deck Screws
Strong-Drive® DWP stainless steel wood screws are available in 305 and 316 grades which makes it ideal for outdoor applications.
Ideal for the following Decking Materials:
- Softwood: Redwood, Cedar, Pressure-treated timber, and Pine
- Hardwood: Oak, Maple, Ipe, Cumaru, and other dense tropical hardwoods.
- Composite: Composite decking
Why It's On The List (Key Features):
- Cuts down on driving torque, letting you drive more screws on a single battery charge.
- Highly resistant to corrosion.
- Easily penetrates hardwood decking materials due to its specially designed sharp point.
- Easier to drive due to its 6-lobe drive (Star Drive)
5 Tips on Choosing The Best Screw for Your Deck
1. Material Compatibility
Type of Wood Decking Material: Before purchasing deck fasteners, check that they are compatible with the wood you intend to use. Compatibility is of the utmost importance when dealing with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite materials.
Outdoor Environment: Screws should be rust and corrosion resistant because your deck will be exposed to the elements. Choose weather-resistant screws, such as stainless steel or ones coated with a protective material.
If you're near saltwater, it's best to use 316 grade stainless steel fasteners.
2. Screw Head Type
Flat Head: These screws have a flat head and sit flush with the wood, making your deck look sleek and clean.
Trim Head: If a more understated style is what you're going for, these fasteners with a trim head will do the trick. Ideally suited for composite decking
Bugle Head: To avoid splitting and provide a smoother finish, use screws with a bugle head. They sink slightly into the board.
3. Thread Design
Coarse Threads: In order to get a better hold on softwoods and pressure-treated lumber, coarse threads are the way to go.
Fine Threads: Ideal for use with hardwoods since they secure the material more firmly and are less likely to split the wood.
4. Screw Length
The general rule of thumb is for the screw to be three times the length of the material being fixed, so a 1” deck board requires a 3” screw.
5. Drive Types
Star/Torx Drive: We recommend this type of drive. Star drive has a better grip and significantly reduces the chances of stripping or slipping.
Square Drive: Not as prevalent as the Star/Torx drive. However, the square drive still keeps drivers from slipping. Slower to use than Torx, as it takes longer to enter the driver into the recess.
Phillips Drive: A very common kind of drive in years gone by, it has largely been superseded by more modern innovations.
The Right Screw for The Best Deck
The best deck screw is the screw best suited to your decking material and prevailing environmental conditions. Get these two aspects covered, and you are well on the way to a beautiful deck that will last for years to come.
At Allen’s Trading Company, we provide only the best decking screw for whatever type of deck you have envisioned. From top-quality stainless steel fasteners to durable coated screws, you can always find the right screw in our collection. Order your decking screws today with ZERO shipping across the US! Contact us directly for advice on all your fastener requirements.
FAQs:
What must I consider when selecting screws for my deck?
The correct deck screw for the job is the type best suited to your decking material and prevailing environmental conditions. Get these two aspects covered, and you are well on the way to a beautiful deck that will last for years to come. Call us anytime for professional advice.
Should I buy 316, 304 or Coated decking screws?
The most corrosion resistant deck screws are 316 grade stainless steel. These screws are best for all coastal, marine and high moisture applications.
304 and 305 grade are perfect for all other outdoor applications. Although a little more expensive than coated screws, they will not rust, saving your deck surface from ugly stains and dangerously protruding corroded screws.
Where cost is a deciding factor and environmental conditions mild, a reputable brand of coated screws can fit the bill.
Should I use trim-head or standard flat-head deck screws?
It depends on the decking material. For hardwoods and composite decking, smaller heads can work well, resulting in a neat and low-profile appearance. For softer materials such as treated pine or cedar, we always recommend standard size flat-head for best holding power.
What size screws should you use for decking?
Generally speaking, choose #10 deck screws that are 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length. A length equal to three times the thickness of the material being fastened is the general rule of thumb.
What brand of deck screws are best?
Eagle Claw is the best deck screw if you're going with stainless steel, and Simpson Strong-Tie's coated DSV deck screws are the way to go if you're looking for budget friendly color-matched deck screws in an environment with low to medium corrosion requirements.