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Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Decks

Guide Home
  • Design & Planning
  • Tools & Materials
  • Footings & Foundations
  • Framing a Deck
  • Installing Decking
  • Installing Railings
  • Deck Stairs
  • Custom Details
  • Finishes, Repairs, and Maintenance
  • Complete Deck Builds
Tools & Materials

Fastening and Decking Tools

Make sure you have these essential tools for fastening framing and putting down deck planks.

By David Toht, Scott Grice
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Fastening Tools

The galvanized nails of yore were great. They were inexpensive, quick to install, and held like crazy. Therein was their downfall. Make a mistake and have to redo something, and you quickly discovered just how tenacious that rough zinc coating was. You have to make a royal mess out of a board to remove it.

Screw fasteners hold even better than galvanized nails but can be backed out in moments if you make a mistake. The only current drawback is that manufacturers can’t seem to decide what style head they want to settle on—Phillips, hex, square, or star. That argues for a drill/driver with a quick-change chuck. Many fasteners are self-drilling, though even with those you want to drill a pilot hole if you are close to the edge of a board.

TIP: If you have to drill pilot holes for a fastener, do so with a second drill to avoid constantly changing out bits.

Pry bar
Pry bar. For straightening decking, removing nails, or shifting framing, have a good pry bar on hand.

Caulk gun
Caulk gun. Buy the dripless type to avoid the mess of sealant and adhesive run-on. With a dripless gun, the caulk flow stops when the trigger is released without having to disengage the plunger.

Hammer
Hammer. Most homeowners prefer a 16-oz. claw hammer. A 20 oz. has more persuasion power but requires a strong arm.

Nail remover
Nail remover. For demolition and undoing mistakes when fastening with nails, use a nail remover. It will gouge the wood but makes as neat a job as can be made.

Rubber mallet
Rubber mallet. Use this tool for settling synthetic decking into fastening clips or for any other task that requires pounding without damage.

Drill driver
Drill driver. Look for a brushless 18- to 20-volt compact drill driver with a 3/8-in. quick-change chuck. Lithium-ion batteries provide twice the performance and hold their charge four times longer than regular batteries. Be forewarned that the sticker price doesn’t tell the whole story. Often, the rechargeable batteries are sold separately.

Corded drills only make sense if you are impact-drilling concrete. Otherwise, cordless drills are the way to go. Brushless types have a substantially longer run time between charges.


Small but Mighty

Pros swear by impact drivers for installing heavy-duty lag screws in deck framing. They are quick, powerful, and have plenty of battery power to see you through to a lunchtime charge-up. Speed and power come at a cost, however. The 20-volt models can cost up to $150—twice as much with batteries. Pneumatic types are also available.

 


Pneumatic compressor
Pneumatic compressor

Pneumatic nailer
Pneumatic nailer

Rotary hammer drill
Rotary hammer drill. If you have to drill a lot of holes in concrete, rent a rotary hammer drill. One hole will make it clear that the trip to the rental store was worth it; even a 1/2-in. concrete bit will sink into concrete as if it were wood—about four times as fast as a hammer drill.

TIP: If you purchase a pneumatic nailer, consider adding this handy hanger. It keeps close at hand a tool you just can’t fit into a tool belt.

pneumatic nailer hanger

Decking Tools

You can get away with installing the decking with the tools used for framing, but there are some optional items that will make the job easier. Careful technique with a circular saw enables you to cut all the decking to length, although a good chopsaw, set to the right height, will save your back and likely produce better results. To avoid splitting the decking or breaking screws, be sure to drill pilot holes 1. You can save some time by using two drivers instead of changing the bit each time you need to switch between driving and drilling 2.

Cut ends need to be rounded, and for softwoods a rough rasp does the trick with a few swipes. For hardwood, however, a trim router fitted with a 1/4-in. roundover bit is much faster than a rasp 3. Note that some fastening systems, such as Kreg’s, require proprietary tools 4. Other tools that come in handy are pipe clamps and a small prybar to move boards into alignment and a jigsaw for fitting decking around posts and door thresholds 5.

1. This two-in-one bit makes a pilot hole and a countersink at the same time. The adjustable collar sets the depth of the hole.

2. Not only does dedicating an extra driver for a pilot bit save time, but it also saves wear and tear on the chuck.

3. When installing hardwood decking, a trim router fitted with a 1/4-in. roundover bit does a better job than a rasp.

Kreg jig system
4. The Kreg jig system is an innovative hidden fastener design that guides a toe-screw and doesn’t rely on clips, tongs, or teeth.

5. Attention to details often defines the quality of the deck. Here, a jigsaw was used to carefully fit the decking around a post.


Three Tools for Prying Decks

Using a cat’s paw and a small block of wood is a simple and quick technique for minor decking adjustments. Protect the decking’s edge with the wood block, pound the cat’s paw into the joist, and pry the decking into place.

A wood wedge has a sharp metal U that bites into the joist as it is pounded down. The wedge works well, but varying lumber thicknesses can be a problem.

While it looks more medieval than modern, this cam-system adjuster is surprisingly efficient but carries a hefty price tag.


 

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

DEWALT 2 1⁄4-hp Router Combo Kit (DW618PK)

This tool features amazing plunge action, great dust-extraction capabilities, and a rotating ring to adjust motor depth,
Buy at Amazon

Standard Marking Chalk

We like white chalk because it’s non-permanent and wears off easily — this is especially helpful when marks are exposed and need to disappear.
Buy at Amazon

DEWALT Impact Driver (DCF885)

This impact driver has has plenty of power, excellent slow-speed control, and features a trio of LED lights mounted around the chuck that light the work area.
Buy at Amazon
Previous: Cutting Tools for Deck Building Next: 10 Deck-Building Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Design & Planning
  • Basic Design Options
  • Generating Plans
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Tools & Materials
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  • Foundation and Framing Materials
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Footings & Foundations
  • Choosing a Foundation
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Framing a Deck
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Installing Decking
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Installing Railings
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