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Thread: Screwing Merbau to steel joists
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3rd October 2007, 02:13 PM #1
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Screwing Merbau to steel joists
Hey guys,
My deck is coming along nicely however i just wanted to get some advice on screwing/nailing Merbau to steel joists. What type of screws would you suggest and what is the best way to do it.
I am not afraid of hard work and i figure pre drilling all the holes then screwing it down would look the best.
I have no idea what type of screws to use so any advice and links to pics of screws would be greatly appreciated.
Also the joists are RHS Gal..
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3rd October 2007, 02:18 PM #2
Hi, I did a deck on our houseboat, merbau on C channel, but same principle.
I used self-drilling countersunk metal screws, but pre-drilled them with a drill bit just under the size of the drilling tip on the screw. I also countersunk the merbau so that the screw head would sit just under the top.
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3rd October 2007, 02:20 PM #3
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Thanks Big Shed: I am certainly going to countersink the Merbau so the screws dont sit proud.
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...tainless+Steel
Do you think these screws would be good for this job? If not can you link me to some that would so i know what to get.
Thanks in advance.
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3rd October 2007, 02:27 PM #4
Those screws wont hold in steel.
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3rd October 2007, 02:28 PM #5
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Thanks Doogie. Anyone able to link me to something that will?
http://www.redboxhardware.com.au/ind...id=84&gid=1241
These look like they might do the trick. Can someone confirm this for me. Also what size screws should i get? The Merbau will be 90 X 19 and the joists are 2mm RHS Gal.
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3rd October 2007, 02:41 PM #6
My reference site is playing up - http://www.kjbolt.com.au/products_cat.php
cant get you a link to the exact screws you need atm
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3rd October 2007, 02:45 PM #7
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No worries doogie. When you can access it that would be greatly appreciated mate.
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3rd October 2007, 02:48 PM #8
How big is your deck - a lot of ppl are now gluing decking down to duragal joists - a bit slower but very easy and durable. There seems to be some issues with penetration of the joists. These KJ bolts people have decking glue which is being used more and more.
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3rd October 2007, 02:53 PM #9
http://www.kjbolt.com.au/newproducts_02.html
the screw at the top is the sort you might want to use - notice the drive tip for going through metal - these go in much easier if you drill a pilot hole through the timber and through the steel.
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3rd October 2007, 03:05 PM #10
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Thanks Doogie, The deck is huge and call me old fashioned but i like the idea of screws. I just dont trust glue
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3rd October 2007, 03:06 PM #11
OK I got sick of constantly having this debate, so I've rung the OneSteel technical guy and asked him why they don't recommend screws on outside decks and verandahs. So here's what he told me:
1. You put a joist tape on the top of the joist which seals against the nail as it penetrates - this doesn't work with screws. Using screws can therefore allow moisture into the joist.
2. When the decking expands, screw heads have been known to snap off. Timber joists allow for a bit of expansion, steel doesn't.
He said that their preferred fixing method for external applications is a stainless steel twist nail.
If you insist on using screws, he says you can put a blob of silicone under each screw, or counter sink and then fill the holes - but this wont help with the head snapping problem.
With their own products, they wont assist in warranty cases if the decking has been screwed down."I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."
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3rd October 2007, 03:15 PM #12
Hi Silent - did the onesteel dude say anything about gluing decking down.?
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3rd October 2007, 03:23 PM #13
Didn't ask him, hadn't read your post!
The only thing I'd say about it is that you wouldn't be able to put a joist tape down first...
There's a type of deck fixing available that grips boards from the sides - no through nails. I reckon if you could tek-screw that to the side of the joist with a bit of flashtak behind it, that would be the Rolls Royce."I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."
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3rd October 2007, 03:30 PM #14
Yeah I agree Silent - a batten of some sort down the side of the duragal joist sealed with nuetral silicone seems to me to be the best way. The KJbolt site which I gave a link to above lists a decking glue suitable for duragal joists - but I cant get into the site proper atm. Interesting stuff and links there also.
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3rd October 2007, 08:10 PM #15
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I think what Silent is referring to is a fixing that is screwed in between the boards and slots in to a slot in the side of each board.
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