Wood Screws vs Deck Screws : What’s The Differences?


There are many types of screws and chances are, you may not know the difference. Screws come in different shapes and sizes and each is meant to serve a specific purpose.

Shockingly, even deck screws are quite different from the ordinary wood screws. If you are decking, then you should consider using decking screws as they will be far much better than nails or wood screws.


As a layman, I understand that you can easily be confused about the screws and may end up using the wrong type of screws. Wood screws will serve you perfectly when you are joining cabinet, furniture parts as well as mounting hardware and so much more. Unlike nails, screws will form a stronger bond between the surfaces that you are joining and they reduce the stress on the joining point.

When you take the time to compare the deck screws and wood screws, you will notice the glaring difference. Their heads, coatings, plating and even threads are quite different. Stay with me and I will educate you on the differences. At the end of this article, you should be able to differentiate between wood screws and deck screws. Let’s get to look at these differences.

Read More : Best Wood Screws

What are Wood Screws?

A wood screw is a general term that is used to describe a metal screw with a sharp point and a flat head. This is used to attach pieces of wood together and they come in different shapes and sizes. There are wood screws that have pan, flat or oval heads and the shank below the head is unthreaded.

What are wood screws

 

Wood screws are used for mechanical fastening in woodworking. They serve as a perfect clamping force and will connect wood to wood, providing a strong joint. Wood screws can also be used to attach locks, hinges and other objects.(Best Wood Screws)

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What are Deck Screws?

Deck screws are similar to the wood screws, and you will easily confuse the two. The biggest difference is the fact that they have a larger surface area. This will give you a greater capacity to bear load. Decking screws are made of coated steel or copper, which makes them corrosion-resistant. This makes them ideal for decking as they can withstand all manner of weather conditions.

What are Deck Screws

You can use the decking screws for soft and hard wood applications. In general, they are similar to wood screws, but a closer look will show you the difference. These are longer and come with sharper tips than ordinary wood screws.

Differences Between Wood and Deck Screws: Are Deck Screws Strong

When you look at the basic design, both screws appear to be the same. Before going out to shop for the specific type of screws, here are some differences that you need to be aware of:

Heads

The head of the deck screw is the same as that of the wood screw, as they both have a flat head. However, you will notice that the head of the deck screw has a bigger surface area. This is what makes it a safer option as it carries more capacity to bear the load. The heads of deck screws also have a flare or bugle shape, which is not the case with wooden screws. This prevents the deck screw from sinking into the material and as such there would be hardly be splitting or cracking. This is not the case with wooden screws as they can go all the way in.

Threading

When you look at the wood screw, the threading is not tapered and is also very sharp. This affects their efficiency in the long term. Deck screws, on the other hand, have very deep and sharp threading. This makes it easier for you to cut into the wood boards and secure the pieces together. If you are looking for efficiency and effortless bonding, deck screws will be the ideal choice.(Best Deck Screws)

Shank

The shanks-on deck screws are also designed for longevity. They come with sharp and tapered threading, with and an aggressive tip. This allows you to screw them into the surfaces fast with ease. This secures the pieces of wood that are being joined, with no room for movement. Wood screws, on the other hand, have a similar shank, but the threading is not as deep. The shank is not fully threaded and you have some challenges taking the screw all the way into the wood.

See also  Different Types Of Wood Screws and Their Uses

Construction Material

Most screws are made of steel and this will not withstand all weather conditions. After a while, you will notice that the screws will start to rust, especially in wet environments. As for the deck screws, they are made of coated steel or copper, which is resistant to corrosion.  This makes the deck screws suitable for different applications as they will never rust.

Are deck screws structural?

Yes, if you are looking for a structural screw, one of the best among them is the deck screw. To understand this, you can consider screw fastening capability, telling you about their structural tendencies. Screws that are best for decking and can perform better and endure more at the fastening point are structural.

Deck screws contain flattened heads and uniquely designed shanks that add to their durability. But, again, you can find them to perform best at sharp and deep threading.

As a result, the screw penetrates any material and ensures their tight security, for which they are known as structural screws.

Can I use standard wood screws for decking?

No, wooden screws are more eligible for joining parts rather than fastening. That is to say, you cannot make them used for decking, just like you do in the case of deck screws.

Standard wood screws tend to become weak, split, and decay at the fastening point. As a result, there always remains the risk of damaging your component when you use such kinds of screws for decking purposes.

Therefore, the structure of these wooden screws is not suited to fit the task of fastening or decking.

Are our deck screws stronger than wood screws?

Yes, deck screws are way stronger than wooded screws due to their structure and inbuilt components. In addition, deck screws use copper or stainless steel as the primary raw material for their manufacturing. These components are way more vital than most of the other materials like iron, steel, etc.

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Whereas regular wooden screws only use ordinary steel, which is weaker than the deck screws. Again, deck screws comprise a comparatively large area of surface than wooden screws. As a result, deck screws can withstand heavier holds and pressure compared to wooden screws.

What screws to use the wood deck?

No matter what kind of decking you want, the all-time best solution for that is a deck screw. If you are the one who thinks all screws, to be exact, then you are living in a false world. Every screw is made for individual purposes, among which the goal of deck screws is for decking components.

Again, there remain different sorts of decking, which include wood decking. For this case, you’ll also be looking for deck screws that are 2.5†coated and eight gauges.

Final Words

There you have it, now you can tell the difference between deck screws and wood screws. The basic design may seem to be the same, but as I have shown you, there are certain elements and features that are different. When shopping for screws, it is imperative to ensure that you are going for the right type.

You can also look at our guide on the different types of screws and their specific uses. With this information that I have provided, you should be in a position to make an informed decision on the type of screws to use for your projects.

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