A decking surface is one of the most popular surfaces around the world. It is loved for its elegance and practicality. A decking surface is made by combining decking boards and frames.
But there are other materials you need to establish a decking surface and these materials need to be precise. Today, we are going to discuss and find out what size screws are needed for decking boards and frames.
What size screws for decking boards, frames?
Eight and ten gauge screws are more than enough for the thickness of decking boards, frames, and joists. However, the length of screws needs to be two and a half inches or three inches for a successful decking surface. The decking screws should be put deep enough into the decking surface.
Table of Contents
Let’s look at different types of decking materials and see what size screws are needed for these materials.
Decking joists:
Decking joists are one of the most crucial parts of a decking surface. The primary job of decking joists is to hold the decking boards together on the decking surface. That is why choosing the right size of screws for decking joists is an important task.
It is recommended by experts that you should use three inch screws for decking joists. Although two and a half inch screws will also do the job. But three inch screws give you better stability than two and a half inch screws.
Decking boards:
Decking boards are the most important part of the decking surface. Without attaching the decking boards together, there would not be a decking surface. But it is important to select the perfect screw size for decking boards.
The two and a half inch screws are more often than not used for attaching decking boards to decking joists and decking frames. The gauge of the screws needs to be eight or ten gauge.
If you are not sure about the size of the screw you need to use, you can take the help of a professional in this matter.
Decking frame:
Selecting the right size of screws for the decking frame is crucial. There are many options available in the market when it comes to fastening the decking frame. But in most of the cases, lag screws are used to connect the decking frames.
The diameter of the lag screws needs to be at least one and a half inch. On the other hand, the length of the lag screws must be four inches at least. These are very basic requirements when it comes to attaching decking frames onto the decking surface.
Using the wrong size of screws for the decking frame can ruin the whole decking project.
What size screws for 19mm, 28mm, 32mm and 140mm decking?
You will need to use different sizes of screws for different sizes of decking. For example, you will need to use 10 gauge screws for 19mm decking.
The width of the screws will have to be somewhere between nine to ten mm and the height of the screws will have to be fifteen mm at least. On the other hand, the length of the screws will need to be two and a half mm at least.
You will need to use 8 gauge screws for 28mm decking. The length of the screws will have to be two and a half inches at the very least.
You will be required to use 14 gauge bugle screws for 32mm decking boards. The width of the bugle screws will have to be fourteen mm and the height will be seventy five mm.
The size of screws needed for 140mm decking is ten gauge. The height of the screws will have to be sixty five mm. Moreover, the width of the screws will have to be nine and a half mm.
What size screws for these decking?
Let’s look at different types of decking and see what size screws are needed for them.
Treated pine decking:
Treated pine decking is one of the most popular decking boards around the world. It is known for being excessively resistant against termite and any kind of decay. It is also very affordable and can be found in many different sizes in the market.
There is actually a special kind of screw available in the market known as the pine screw. The size of the screws is basically ten or eight gauge with a height of sixty five mm.
Trex decking:
Trex decking is one of the most cost effective decking styles out there. But it is important to choose the right size of screws for these sensitive decking boards.
Usually, ten or eight gauge screws with a length of two and half inches or three inches are good for trex decking boards, frames, and joists.
Composite decking:
Composite decking is one of the most durable decking boards available in the market. But it is very important to find the right size of screws for composite decking boards, frames and joists.
Eight or ten gauge screws with a length of two and a half inches are known for being good on composite decking boards, frames and joists.
Cedar decking:
Cedar decking boards are famous for their durability and resistance against decay and insects. However, it is necessary to choose the right size of screws for cedar decking boards. Eight and ten gauge screws are fine for cedar decking boards.
But the length of the screws needs to be either two and a half inch or three inch.
What kind of screws for decking?
There are many types of screws available in the market. But all of them can not be used for decking purposes. Let’s find out what kind of screws can be used for decking.
8 gauge screws:
The gauge of the screws represents their diameter. 8 gauge screws are ideal for decking for their perfect diameter. 8 gauge screws are known for having a diameter of 4.2 millimeters.
The diameter of 8 gauge screws are enough to get through the thickness of decking boards, decking frames, and decking joists.
10 gauge screws:
If you think eight gauge screws are not enough to get through the thickness of the decking boards, then you can instead use the ten gauge screws. The diameter of ten gauge screws is 4.8 millimeters.
Ten gauge screws are enough for putting together decking boards, frames, and joists.
Two and a half inch screws:
The length of the screws is also important when it comes to putting together decking boards, frames, and joists. Screws with a length of two and a half inches have been labeled ideal for decking purposes.
Three inch screws:
If you want to be on the safe side, then you can opt for screws with a length of three inches. Three inch screws are better at holding the decking surface together than two and a half inch screws.
How deep should decking screws be?
It is important to use long screws that go deep into the decking surface. That is why experts suggest you to use decking screws with a length of at least two and a half inch to three inch. The decking screws have to go as deep as three millimeters into the decking surface.
If you do not put the decking screws deep enough into the decking surface, then the decking project might come undone due to unstable joints and connections. The help of a professional can be sought to finish the decking project accurately.
How to choose the right screws for your decking?
Choosing the right screws are important for the decking projects. There are some tips and tricks you can follow to do this task.
Inspect the thickness:
First of all, you will need to inspect the thickness of your decking boards. Thicker decking boards will require screws with higher gauges. Most of the time, eight and gauge screws are good enough for any thick decking boards, frames, and joists.
Inspecting the thickness of the boards will also help you to choose the perfect length of screws for the decking project.
Inspect the durability:
Next, you will need to inspect the durability of your decking boards. Two and a half inch screws can do the job for durable decking boards, frames, and joists. On the other hand, you will need to use three inch screws to be on the safe side for non durable decking boards.
Practicality:
You will need to keep the practicality of the decking project in mind before you start choosing the screws. There are lots of fancy screws available in the market. But you will need to choose the most practical ones for your decking project.
Final Thoughts
Two and a half inch screws and three inch screws are capable of holding decking boards, frames, and joists together. The diameter of the screw will have to be 4.2 millimeter or 4.8 millimeter. Eight gauge screws and ten gauge screws fit the description of the screws needed for the decking surface.