Decking Fasteners

[Rubber]

I am about to lay a 7 x 5m deck with yellow balau into hyspan joists. I was concerned about the nails pulling out of the softwood hyspan, so I have been looking at decklok, timberlok etc. Does anyone have any experience with these types of fasteners? I was keen not to have to hand nail the entire deck. Can you get them for nail guns?

[echnidna]

Timberlok's work well. Just dont try to belt them in with one blow or they will bend. Just tap them in a bit at a time.
Its not a large deck so you shouldn't need a nailgun.

[Pulse]

Try This,

http://www.timber.org.au/resources/Residential%20Timber%20Decking%20Nail%20Trial1.pdf

[Stu]

If you dont want to handnail you could use a coil nailer with a variety of nails, my recommendation would be a stainless steel 50mm screwshank nail with a dome head, plenty of holding power and looks good down. Personally unless you have a suitable compresser and coiler sitting around I would handnail it with timberlocks.

[markharrison]

Hyspan for a deck? I just asked my engineer (less than four weeks ago) if these were possible (I want a cantilevered deck, it's a long story...) and he advised that there were no Hyspan beams for exterior use. A problem with glue apparently.

I'm interested if you have been advised differently as I'm not yet commited to an alternative approach.

[Rubber]

You can buy Hyspan H3 treated for outdoor use, but they cost 20% more. I was advised that the ordinary Hyspan were fine as long as the deck was covered.

[russ34]

i also freaked at the thought of a highspan in an exterior situation,but good to hear there is a treated exterior approved version...when i think about the left over highspan joists laying in the weather in my backyard for 18 months[ i use them for dropsaw benches at work], they show no deterioration/delamination other than discolouration so could well be fine on covered decks with decent o/hang

[Carpenter]

If you are going to use a coil nailer, Duofast/Paslode recommend ring shank nails for use in softwoods & screw shanks in hardwoods. They are also available in stainless, probably the only thing to use in treated timber, & the nail head is a dome shape.

[jaws]

I would be finding out more info re: hyspan for deck joists, my understanding is that H3 treated Hyspan is ok for verandah beams etc, which are mostly weather protected and painted, deck joists( if you are talking about spaced deck boards) is not a suitable application. Remember long term is not 18 months or 2 years its 20 years.
Good luck
cheers,
John
Paslode SS ring shanks nails are what we use on decks

[Shane Watson]

The pergola I built earlier in the year had hyspan beams treated for ext use.

[jaws]

Shane,
I'm happy to be corrected on this have you info on external applications for treated Hyspan?
Cheers,
John

[Island Nomad]

I've used Hyspan joists externally before but they were under a roof. I H3 treated them prior to install and also used Malthoid strips on top to protect from water penetration in any splits that might occurred due to nailing. I also primed them with oil based primer as well, prior to install. Always prime joints very thoroughy. I did this job 8 years ago and have recently been back and all looks fine. I wouldn't use anything but hand nailed fixings outside. Nail gun nails either have t'heads which split the timber or coil nails which look pretty ugly. Use 2" galvanised bullet head nails, predrill and punch by hand.

[jaws]

I'm sure a well painted and maintained deck would last but as a builder I have to be very cautious about only using products which are 'approved' for a specific use.
Clients don't always maintain the works as they should and it can come back to haunt us,hence my apprehensive tone.
As for gun nails, yes there are some ugly ones around but as I stated earlier the Duofast(I said Paslode but meant Duofast) SS ring shank is a very effective and nice nail to look at.
Cheers,
John

[Island Nomad]

I'm sure a well painted and maintained deck would last but as a builder I have to be very cautious about only using products which are 'approved' for a specific use.

As a builder, prior to designing this project I contacted Dindas Lew who were the manufacturers at the time and they recommended H3 treatment of Hyspan joists for external use, but that was many years ago, maybe they have had some trouble (I haven't). Better to err on the side of caution, use Durability Class 1 roughsawn hardwood. Still can't come at the nail gun nails John, but I haven't seen the Duofast SS ring shank.

[Gaza]

I have always run away from using Hyspan H3 for joists, my dad always tries to get me to use on our jobs but i am not sure of how its going to hold up and not de-lamintae, sure the treatment will stop decay, rot, insects but will the glue hold up.

I usual use Treated Pine, which is has all cuts sealed and we also nail on plastic damp course on th tops of the joists.

I am sure that Hyspan will work but not yet 100% i am also concerned about the nail holding capacity into the laminations.