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Before building a deck, it is important to choose the right nails, screws, or fixtures.

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Steven Goldberg
Before building a deck, it is important to choose the right nails, screws, or fixtures.

It is crucial to use the correct fixings to attach the planks and bearers to your deck to ensure it lasts a long time. The type of wood and local climate will also influence the choice. It is important to invest in quality products that will last a long time.


Standard iron nails should be avoided on exterior decking. They can corrode quickly in certain climates and near marine environments. This can leave black stains around nail holes and eventually lead to snapping. Keep in mind that every wood is susceptible to twisting and warping. It is important to ensure that wood planks are secured to bearers at regular intervals so the timber doesn't move. Galvanised nails are recommended for exterior Decking Melbourne. It is important to note that some timber species, such as Redwood, Merbau and Western Red Cedar, can be more susceptible to corrosion than others.


If screws are required to attach the decking planks and bearers to each other, they should either be made of stainless steel or a highly-plated screw. There are many ways to plating screws. Some cheaper products might look great in a packet, but they will become unattractive after several years of use. Plating screws in planks can cause corrosion, as the plating could be worn away. It is important to use a high quality plated screw designed for exposed decking.


Stainless steel screws are the best for long-term results. These screws are more expensive but they have a better long-term performance, a consistent appearance and a lack of blackening around the screw holes. Also, stainless steel screws should never be used in marine environments. Even plated screws can suffer significant corrosion in these harsh environments.


There are many other fastening options available, apart from screws and nails. These devices involve inserting the galvanised iron fixture (typically into the sides of planks) and then nailing it to the bearers. This attachment method has the obvious advantage that there are not visible nails or screws on the top. This type of fixing system has one drawback. If planks have to be replaced, it is extremely difficult to lift and replace planks in the middle of decks. The plank that is being replaced would normally need to be secured using nails or screws. This may not be an issue due to the rare availability of replacements.


A deck can also be covered with a wood surface without the need for nails, screws or any other fasteners. There are modular wood decking tiles on the market that lock together using an integral plastic base. The base allows water to drain from underneath the tiles and also holds each tile in place. These decks can't be used over traditional timber bearers but they are very useful for covering concrete courtyards and patios without the need to tear everything down and rebuild.

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Steven Goldberg
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