Deck Connections and Fasteners
Southern Pine
Deck Connections and Fasteners
When constructing a Southern Pine deck, the significance of deck connections and fasteners cannot be overstated. These connections, when appropriately designed and installed, serve as the linchpin for a deck’s safety, stability, and long-term durability.
Connections important because they:
- Safeguard Structural Integrity: Connections unite essential components of a deck, such as posts, beams, joists, and ledger boards. Weak or inadequate connections can lead to an unstable and unsafe deck.
- Support Heavy Loads: Decks are engineered to bear substantial loads, including the weight of people, furniture, and other items. To ensure even load distribution and prevent component failure under pressure, robust connections are indispensable.
- Assure Longevity: High-quality deck connections can extend a deck’s lifespan by fortifying it against weather and the corrosive effects of other environmental factors, such as mold and mildew.
- Comply with Building Codes: Building codes and regulations often mandate specific connection types and hardware. Complying with these codes is imperative to ensure a deck meets safety and legal requirements.
- Enhance Aesthetics: Well-concealed and thoughtfully designed connections can elevate a deck’s visual appeal, providing a more refined and polished appearance.
The American Wood Council’s Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide is devoted to proper connection details and includes guidance for the following:
- Footing-to-post connections
- Post-to-beam connections
- Joist-to-beam connections
- Decking-to-joist connections
- Rim joist connections
- Bracing attachments
- Ledger board attachments
- Free standing deck attachment to house
- Guard details and attachments
- Guard post attachments
- Stair details and attachments
Ledger Attachment
If a deck is attached to an existing structure, the ledger board (which attaches the deck to the existing structure) should be flashed to prevent moisture intrusion and decay. In normal backyard service, copper flashing is recommended, fastened with copper flashing nails (use like metals to avoid galvanic corrosion).
In coastal applications, stainless steel flashing and fasteners are recommended.
Aluminum flashing is not compatible with the copper in treated wood, and plastic is not recommended because flashing may become brittle and crack from UV exposure.
If you don’t want to build a ledger deck, click here to review whether a ground-level deck is best for your project.
Fasteners
Choosing and installing the appropriate fasteners for your deck is just as important as properly connecting components for long-term performance and safety. The most common decking fasteners are nails, screws, and hidden fasteners, and it’s recommended to use corrosion-resistant fasteners and connectors for strength, long-term durability, and appearance.
Check out our Southern Pine Decks and Porches publication, a comprehensive guide to deck and porch specification and construction using pressure-treated Southern Pine, to learn more about proper planning, building, finishing, and maintenance.
Decking Fastener Options
| Nails | Screws | Hidden Fasteners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection |
|
|
|
| Installation |
|
|
|
| Durability |
|
||
Decking Fastener Schedule
| Decking Fastener Schedule | Superior Performance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decking | 5/4 x 6 | 2x4 | 2x6 | 5/4 x 6 | 2x4 | 2x6 |
| Nails | (2) 8d | (2) 10d | (2) 10d | (3) 8d | (2) 10d | (3) 10d |
| Screws | (2) #8x2-1/2 | (2) #8x3" | (2) #8x3" | (3) #8x2-1/2" | (2) #8x3" | (3) #8x3" |