Screw Or Ring Shank ?

We Fix Houses

I do a lot of work for regular folks and some are more budget conscious than others. Regardless, I have to do the work the best I can. I have some PT ACQ deck work coming up. Its been a couple of years since I've done one - or been to the local nail outlet.

Got a reskin next week - 5/4 x 6 ACQ over 2x10's in excellent shape and a new deck coming up. Both will be nailed. I tried to go screws but they want to save the money and I need the work. I have a Max FRH 21 deg plastic gun. I'm getting a new compressor this week to consistently nail ring shank and reduce the plastic flagging.

Screw Shank - Nail outlet guy says he sells more of them than ring ??? He said holds better when the wood dries out ?? I used them, 3" on the 5/4 --- 2 3/8 on 2x2 balusters and don't particularly like how they hold. But you tell me ?

Ring - Harder to shoot in. Need that new compressor - harder to remove. Keep in mind, reskin - new work.

What do you use when nailing and why ? What do you suggest ?

Nail Length - 5/4 - Continue to use 3" length - 2 3/8 too short even ring shank ?

Now a bit on screws:

5x4 - Use 2 3/8 - 2 1/2 --- or 3"

Final question - the new ACQ lighter 5/4 x 6. Do you normally install no gap / tight - or with a small gap say = 1 12d bright finish ? The lumber yard where I get mine - the stuff is pretty dry. I know it will shrink some, but nothing like the old pt. I installed tight no gap last year on a stairs with 2 landings, but how about on a larger area ?

Thanks fellas.....

redwood

Unfortunately on this site you will not find too many guys who nail decks any more.

I can't help you. I've never built a deck with PT as the top layer.

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Mark
Los Gatos, CA
www.creative-redwood-designs.com

deckman22

Back when I used to nail wood decking I would use 3" galv. ring shank nails. They hold better than the screw shank any day, that salesman was shooting you some bs. I've torn off decking that was nailed with ring shank nails, sometimes the board would break before the nail would give.

For screwing down 5/4 I would use 2 1/2" length screws. Size of the board x2 min. length screw was what I was taught. I have not seen 2 3/8" deck screws, but they ought to work as well.

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dkillianjr

If I nail 5/4" PT decking I always use 3" ring shank nails. I have been back at jobs I have done years ago and they still look great and still are pretty tight. The one thing I do when I shoot down decking is keep my pressure up pretty good and sink the nails nice and deep. When the decking shrinks the nails are still a little below the surface.

As for PT railings, I have really never used nails. I usually use 2 1/2" screws on the balusters. And all rail parts, the screws are nice to pull miters and joints together.


As for the gap, I usually make the call when I get the lumber. If its very dry I will put a decent gap, say a spiral 16d. If it is really wet I will almost put no gap. I also pay attention to how much sun the deck gets and go from there.

A while back before acq I had some real wet PT so I really didnt put any gap, well the deck rarley got any sun and never shrunk and was like a swimming pool needless to say it was no fun redecking that one.


Dave

curapa

All of the PT decking I have ever gotten was very wet. I install it tight together, usually in a week or so it's spaced just fine. I have seen a few installed pre-gapped while wet and it's ugly as can be after it dries.

You will have to use your own judgment on whether to space the boards or not according to your material and job conditions.

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DecksEtc

I never nail any decking down, PT or otherwise so I can't help you there. I always use 2 1/2" screws for 5/4" boards.

Also, I never get any PT dry enough to even consider gapping it. I've had decks in full sun exposure that were installed in the morning shrink up and show gaps by the end of the day.

Chris G

Ditto on all that. Last week I installed a rooftop deck with pt that I thought was pretty dry. I butted in tight and crossed my fingers. It shrank up just fine. When you lay the boards down tight to each other, you may notice that there are gaps at the very ends, but not in the middle of the pairings, this is an indication that the drying has only just begun.

Nailing is faster I would guess, (never done it though) but if it's not a big deck, then screwing isn't that much of a time killer. Certainly not enough to warrant a new compressor for nailing. Back when people used to nail decking, the wood was better with tighter grain, so it was more stable. Wood today is a little more porous, so it likes to cup; screws help prevent that.

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Jordy3738

Definitely using screws is the way to go. I'd butt the boards tight to one another too.

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naptown CR

Also use three nails at the ends of boards and two in the field