Ring Shank Nails versus Deck Screws for Wood Underlayment
Wu Ming Ren
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I am about to install a subfloor and underlayment for a tiling project using Schluter’s DITRA underlayment for ceramic tiles. On Page 23 of the “Installation Handbook” are guidelines for underlayment installation [ http://www.schluter.com/DitraHandbook.pdf ]. There, I found this statement: “Use ring shank nails (no staples) or screws (no drywall screws).”
I understand why one should not use drywall screws. They have no shear strength and should not be used for structural applications. They are also threaded all the way to the heads, which prevents tight bonding of joined materials other than drywall. I don’t understand why deck screws (such as Deck Mate) could not be used instead. If Schluter is just worried about the inappropriate use of drywall screws, then I guess RS nails would be the better choice, but I really cannot imagine why deck screws would not be superior to RS nails. Frankly, I don’t like nailing things if I can use screws instead. There has to be a serious deal-breaker to force me to use RS nails instead of deck screws.
Can anyone tell me why RS nails would be a better choice than deck screws for this application?
Replies
They say don't use drywall screws
Do they say don't use deck screws?
if they do, I can tell you I've had no problem with the proper length deck screw.
However, I own a screw gun on a stick-I can stand and drive collated screws-I use subfloor screws. Do I need to go out to the shop to confirm that the threads go all the way to the head or not?
I think that they are just saying "no staples and no drywall
screws. Use ring shank nails or screws that are not drywall screws."
Thanks for the Quick Responses
I see that I misread the instructions. Apparently, I read the "no" to apply to both staples and screws, but it only applied to staples. Without the parenthetical comments, it would have read, "Use ring shank nails or screws." Thank you kind folks for your responses, and thanks for not blasting me for misreading the instructions. I will be using Deck Mate screws.