What structural screw do I use for my deck posts?
From cedar deck boards to concrete, choose your screw. A common customer question we get here at DecksDirect is, "Do the screws come with the deck railing post?" and if not, "What screws do I need for my posts?"
Deck railing manufacturers generally don't include lagging screws or bolts along with their deck posts simply because it varies from customer to customer what material the deck posts will be mounted upon.
Some builders are attaching their deck or structural posts directly to an organic lumber choice like cedar or pressure-treated pine, while others are working on their brick rooftop terraces or concrete backyard patios.
To reduce material waste and keep prices low, manufacturers encourage customers to choose fasteners based upon their individual decks and spaces.
But that still leaves the question:
"What screws do I need for my deck posts?"
A general rule of thumb when it comes to selecting structural screws for your deck railing posts depends upon your deck surface material.
- Mounting on standard wood or composite decking? Choose a 5/16 Inch Rugged Structural Screw
- Attaching your deck posts to concrete or stone? Use a Caliburn XL Concrete Screw.
A must-have in every professional contractors' toolbox and a DIY fan favorite; the 5/16 Inch Rugged Structural Screw by GRK Fasteners are one of the major workhorse items of the deck screw industry.
With a Torx drive and round washer head, the 5/16 Inch Rugged Structural Screw provides serious hold in a compact screw. Crafted from Climatek® coated hardened steel, the 5/16 Inch RSS is the perfect size to fit into pre-drilled hardware openings such as those in post base plates, hinges, connectors plates and more!
Offered in various pack sizes to perfectly accommodate a deck of nearly any size, use the Size #30 Driver Bit to create the perfect pilot hole every time. Ideal for mounting your deck posts on all kinds of wood decking from natural, to pressure-treated, hardwoods and composite; reach for the 5/16 Inch RSS by GRK.
The Caliburn XL Concrete Screws by GRK Fasteners is the go-to structural screw when working with any kind of stone, concrete or masonry type of project. With an XL washer head, Torx drive type and a corrosion-resistant Climatek® coating, the case hardened steel of the Caliburn XL Screws provides incredible staying power in tough materials.
Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the Caliburn XL Concrete Screws should be pre-drilled for via a 1/4 Inch Concrete Drill Bit for solid strength that keep your stone or concrete material looking great.