Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Dec 06, 2011 8:21 pm Hi, I'm planning on building a deck 4 x 8 and 7 x 3 (L shape) and got some questions: Planning on using hardwood. 1) Twisted nails vs screws. Or will a nail gun work? 2) Will thicker boards look nicer/last longer? have seen some thick 130 x 32 Australian hardwood timber on special (factory seconds) and would like to know if people know if it is suitable for decking. Will it be flat enough, maybe hard to work with. Being so thick, it might be hard to work with. Probably need to use a vice to pull the timber onto the joist if its a bit warped. 3) Australia hardwood vs Merbau/Kwila? What are people's preference? Many thanks. Bailey Re: Thick Decking - what are the issues 2Dec 06, 2011 9:25 pm If using hardwood you may find nails will split the board-ends unless drilled first. I doubt if a nail gun will have enough grunt on hardwood Screws may have more holding power on boards (especially if warped) than nails Wider thicker decking boards will look ugly and may be prone to cupping 'Factory seconds' says it all really Arfur Re: Thick Decking - what are the issues 3Dec 07, 2011 8:53 am Uncle Arfur If using hardwood you may find nails will split the board-ends unless drilled first. I doubt if a nail gun will have enough grunt on hardwood Screws may have more holding power on boards (especially if warped) than nails I can agree with the above Uncle Arfur Wider thicker decking boards will look ugly and may be prone to cupping But this just an opinion. How they look matters to the OP. Uncle Arfur 'Factory seconds' says it all really Nothing wrong with factory seconds if that is what you are after. Sometimes the small imperfections can add character and charm (IMO) Personally one thing I have grown to hate in the recent months is furniture and laminated timber that is made to look aged, but every piece has the same pattern engrained in it. The beauty of timber is that each piece is unique in its grain and pattern. They can be cut and shaped to fit together but every piece is still an individual part not the same pattern over and over. To the OP, Hardwood will most certainly need to be pre drilled (every piece). By pre drilling and counter sinking you will end up with a smooth finish if done properly, with no screw heads protruding from the boards. Thicker hardwood will also allow you to have greater spacing between bearers as it will flex less Re: Thick Decking - what are the issues 4Dec 07, 2011 1:48 pm Quote: Nothing wrong with factory seconds if that is what you are after. Sometimes the small imperfections can add character and charm (IMO) The reason for my comment on factory seconds is because the OP mentioned warped timber in his original post Arfur Hi, as per the subject. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best value decking oil (Bunning is close to where I live) for a treated pine deck? Thanks 0 11290 Use a product like Equisol's Vitalise to clean the deck then coat with a penetrating timber oil. It will look 10 years younger and add value to your home. Visit for… 1 15872 Hi, Really struggling to find some consistency amongst Span Tables, can anyone help… 0 2697 |