How Many Nails Should be on a Deck Board?

For many homeowners, either building or repairing a deck is a fantastic DIY project. If you're planning on building a deck, you'll want to learn a few expert tips and tricks for things like straightening crooked boards, making straight cuts on the board ends, and avoiding unsightly splits. You're also going to want to perfect your deck board spacing. 

Once everything is planned and the wood is selected, you will need to think about the nails. Here at Fastener USA, we are proud to be industry leaders in all things related to construction and building projects. One question we hear quite often is, "How many nails should be on a deck board?" You're going to want to have this answer before you move forward with your deck building goals. The last thing you want is to have loose boards or need to drop everything and run out to the store because you did not order enough in the beginning.

First, let's discuss why this is so important. No matter where you live, your deck is exposed to all kinds of extreme weather conditions. Rain, snow, high heat, and freezing temperatures make the boards prone to warping, cupping, and crowning. Your deck’s nails are the only things stopping the elements from wreaking havoc on your deck. For this reason, you need to use the right amount of nails to ensure everything is in its place and stays that way. 

According to industry standards, each deck board should be fastened with two nails. They should be at each point where the board crosses a joist. This is done to ensure the stability and durability of your new or newly-repaired deck’s surface. Boards should be fastened to rim joists with three nails.

It's important to note here that you do have a choice between using nails and screws for this project. Many people use nails instead of screws to secure their deck boards. Nails will do the job just fine, but the choice is yours! If you use coil nails and a coil nailer gun, this extra tool will make the job go much more quickly. If you want to use screws because you like that they are threaded, the number of screws you will use is the same as the number of nails needed. This amount does not change. The basic rule of thumb here is 350 nails for every 100 square feet of deck surface. This has been calculated for standard 6” wide boards and 16” spaced joists.

The deck boards that create the surface of your deck are the centerpiece of the structure. These deck boards create the aesthetic value of your deck. You want to get this project absolutely perfect! When deciding which nails to purchase, remember that they will be visible. You're going to want to choose nails that are strong, durable, and good looking. This is why many people choose stainless steel nails.