The decking screws are one type of screws designed for outdoor use. The most important characteristic of deck screws is their resistance to corrosion. They are typically zinc plated (galvanized), stainless steel, high copper content, and ceramic-coated. They have very sharp, narrow points that reduce the necessity of drilling pilot holes. Deck screws, similar to drywall screw, except that it has improved corrosion resistance and is generally supplied in a larger gauge. Most deck screws have a type-17 (auger type) thread cutting tip for installation into decking materials.
Like other screws, decking screws come in a wide variety of lengths and widths, called shanks. They also use different shapes of driver, the part on the screw head that allows a screwdriver to dig in to the wood and rotate. A popular head shape is a square, because it holds the driver and doesn't strip as easily as Phillips heads.
Recently, composite decks made out of specially developed materials or pressure-treated wood have become popular. Since these deck planks are not standard lumber, special deck screws had to be designed to work with this material. Regular, self-countersinking screws caused the plank to "mushroom," meaning that the material pulls up in a hump around the screw head. Make sure to use the screws that the composite deck manufacturers recommend to avoid such issues.
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