Building a deck – screws
Choose screws of the right quality
For a durable deck, it is important to choose a decking screw of the right quality with suitable corrosion protection. Several factors affect the choice of screw, for example the environment, the type of wood and the type of deck structure.
Choose the right corrosion protection for the screws
Once you have chosen the fixing method, it is time to choose the material and corrosion protection of the screws. The corrosion protection and ductility of the screws are essential given the location and structure of the deck.
What affects the choice of screws:
- Location of the deck
- Size and height of the deck
- Type of wood
- Chosen maintenance method
What matters when choosing screws:
- Corrosion resistance class
- Steel grade
Alongside you will find a table with recommendations on which corrosion protection to choose for the screws. However, also check your choice with your timber supplier.
|
What affects the choice |
CorrSeal (C4) |
Stainless steel A2 (C4) |
Acid-proof stainless steel A4 (C5) |
|
On the sea coast |
|
|
✅ |
|
By a pool |
|
|
✅ |
|
Exotic wood |
|
|
✅ |
|
By a lake |
|
✅ |
✅ |
|
Maintenance or de-icing with salt or chemicals |
|
✅ |
✅ |
|
Large area or height of the deck |
|
✅ |
✅ |
|
Deck directly on the ground |
|
✅ |
✅ |
|
Low deck in a non-aggressive environment* |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
*An environment that does not put excessive strain on the screw, for example from chlorine, salt water or strong cleaning agents.
Buy the right quantity and length!
It is important to buy the right quantity of screws for the decking boards. Screw production has a large climate impact (CO₂), so it is important to use all the screws you buy.
The correct screw length is also important when building a deck. The length needed depends on the thickness of the decking board. A screw of the wrong length may not create the necessary clamping force, so the decking board will not be pulled tight to the joists.
Terms used in the tables below:
The C-C centre distance in the tables is the distance between the joists in the base structure. It is measured from the centre (c) of one joist to the centre (c) of the next.
Length and quantity – hidden fixing
Hidden fixing with the Hidden Decking System (HDS):
|
Board dimensions (mm) |
Screw length (mm) |
Number of screws/m² |
|
22 × 95 |
50 |
58 pcs, C-C centre distance 40 cm |
|
28 × 95 |
60 |
40 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
|
28 × 120 |
60 |
32 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
|
34 × 145 |
75 |
28 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
The table is for guidance only. Follow your timber supplier's recommendations.
Length and quantity – standard screws
The same table applies to Classic and ESSDECK Max decking screws installed the traditional way.
|
Board dimensions (mm) |
Screw length (mm) |
Number of screws/m² |
|
22 × 95 |
42 |
58 pcs, C-C centre distance 40 cm |
|
28 × 95 |
55 |
40 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
|
28 × 120 |
55 |
32 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
|
34 × 145 |
75 |
28 pcs, C-C centre distance 60 cm |
The table is for guidance only. Follow your timber supplier's recommendations.
Correct installation of decking boards
The last step of our decking board guide sums up all of Svenskt Trä's recommendations for the correct installation of decking boards.
Build a deck with really good decking screws
Here is our complete product range
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm CorrSeal, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw ESSDECK MAX 4.8 x 55 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS Pro with drill point, hidden fixing 5.0 x 75 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS Pro with drill point, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS 4.8 x 60 mm A2, pack of 250
ESSVE Decking screw HDS, hidden fixing 4.8 x 60 mm A4, pack of 250
ESSVE HDS Pro screwdriver for decking boards
ESSVE Decking screw 4.2 x 55 mm CorrSeal, pack of 250
ESSVE Collated decking screw 4.2 x 42 mm CorrSeal, pack of 1000Next steps of the guide:
Deck foundation
How do you build a foundation for a timber deck? It depends on the type of ground and on how the substructure is fixed.
Fixing the deck to the facade
A deck usually adjoins the wall of the house. The material of the wall and facade determines how, and with what, the joists are fixed to it.
Deck substructure
Once the foundation is finished and the joists are fixed to the walls of the building, it is time to build the deck substructure.
Visible or hidden fixing of decking boards?
Before you start laying the decking boards, you need to choose the fixing method. Traditional fixing with screws driven from the top is the most common, but fixing with hidden screws has also become popular recently.