Smart Building Tips For the Home Builder By David B Mills

If you are making a outside deck area and you want it to look great! Then I suggest you use a wide board (approximately 150mm wide) better to use a Hardwood (there are several types readily available) check with your local timber yard to find the most suitable for your deck.
When using a wide board it is recommended that you use a Stainless steel batten screw. A 14 gauge is the standard size It has a wide head and will stop the board from pulling the screw through the timber. When using a standard 10 gauge square drive decking screw the heads are very small, and the wider the plank the more chance the head of the screw will pull through after a period of time once the timber planks have dried out.
If you are building your deck outside and close to the beach it is recommended that you use a Grade 316 Batten screw as these are a marine grade and will nut rust. If the deck is undercover and not exposed to the elements then a grade 304 can be used.
If using a smaller width plank then a 10 gauge screw can be used. The length of the screw you are using will be determined by the thickness of the plank you are applying. the square drive screws have the best look once completed, as phillips drive screws tend to strip out on application and not giving you the desired look you want.
Batten screws have a hexagon drive instead of the square drive which still have a great look once completed.

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