I inherited a deck job that is half done. It’s a composit called “Carefree”. I was told that the manufacturer calls for 2-1/2″, 15 Ga. finish nails for fastening. Just walking on the portion of the deck that is already finished shows me that the nails don’t seem to have enough holding power. Has anyone fastened this product with 15 Ga. gun nails with any success? Thanks to all.
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What the Hell am I doing wrong? I can't get any questrions answered here!
Probably just bad luck Dez; maybe no-one who's read your question has even used those specific nails on the specific composite decking. Maybe you could spread the question to include a) has anyone else used this brand of decking - what fasteners did they use ? b) does anyone use these nails on other brands ? ... and see if that garners a response..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Thanks Phill,
Was really wondering if I was going to have to hire a writer to do this for me! Seems like maybe ya have to have a ketchy phrase or soomething! Thanks for the input. DEZ
Skip the finish nails for composite decking. Stainless is great but any bugle head screw will mushroom around the head if not accurately predrilled. Check out http://www.olyfast.com , or 800-518-3569, for info on Fastenmaster's "TrapEase" screws. They countersink by cutting action rather than wedging...the bottom of the head has an inverted cone shape so they cut and won't mushroom. They look excellent installed but don't come in stainless. There are two colors, gray & brown.
Al
Thanks to all that responded.
Piffen knows, but he ain't saying.
hehehe
Hey, I'll write your questions for you. 20 bucks a word. Cheap at half the cost. I can start anytime.
: )Quittin' Time
I thought that the theory on the Trapease screws was that the inverted cone trapped and concealed the mushroomed material. It's not eliminated, it's just not visible.
OK dez, I found you here. It was the eternal Imp Loki, I mean Luka who started it now, I see. ;>)
I had glanced at this thread last night and, having never used Carefree before, I refrained from answering, not wanting to spread my ignorance too thin.
Better to bump your thread to the top of the list politely than with a shout, don't you think? We're all friendly fellas and don't get paid for this. Sometimes it just happens that with this great mastermind working, we just don't know.
But you've all got my curiosity up. Why, I asked myself, if this is really a composite material, would the manufacturers recommend using finish nails?
So I typed into my Google window, "Composite + Deck + Carefree" and I got ,
http://www.carefree-products.com/carefreexteriors/residential/products.htm
I recognized this product as one I had seen on display at the lumberyard just today on my way out. It didn't take more than a minute at the site to locate their http://www.carefree-products.com/carefreexteriors/docs/PocketInstallGuide_C_SL1.pdf
where I could find absolutely NO hint of any recommendation to use finish nails. "provide the Carefree Xteriors Decking Systems installer
with basic instr ctions for properly installing Carefree Xteriors residential decking
systems. However, the installer and/or p rchaser of any Carefree Xteriors prod ct is
solely responsible for interpreting specific job conditions, determining the s itability
of se or application of any Carefree Xteriors prod ct, or whether str ct res meet
re irements of applicable b ilding codes or safety codes for specific damages of any
kind whatsoever from the provisions of the information. Minor color variations and
normal wear and tear are not warranted. Variations in color are inherent in the recycled
nat re of the prod cts.
Composite Inst ll tion Instructions
Structur l Lumber Inst ll tion Instructions
Use the same tools sed for wood l mber to fabricate and install
Carefree Xteriors Composite boards. Carbide-tipped blades and
bits are recommended.
With 5/4 x 6 boards, s pport frame joists sho ld be spaced on
centers of 16" or less (see span tables in Installation G ide on
http://www.carefree-xteriors.com). When sing 2 x 6 boards, joists
sho ld be spaced on centers of 20" or less (again, cons lt span
tables). Boards sho ld not hang over rim joists more than 2".
For optim m water drainage, allow ####gap of 3/16" to 1/4"
between boards.
Both nails and screws may be sed with Carefree Xteriors
Composite boards; stainless steel or coated screw type fasteners
are recommended.
For best res lts, se #8, 2 1/2" stainless steel or ceramic-coated
deck screws for 5/4 x 6 boards, and #10, 3" stainless steel or
ceramic coated deck screws for 2 x 6 boards.
In cold weather, consider pre-drilling screw holes. Do not se fasteners
within 3/4" of board edge. Pne matic g ns work well with Composite.
For more detailed and p-to-date technical information, incl ding
Composite Railing installation, cons lt the f ll Carefree Xteriors
Installation G ide on http://www.carefree-xteriors.com.
CX047 0202 USPL 2002"
So I re-read your question and discovered that you didn't read the carefree installation instructions but were proceeding on what you had been told versus your own good instincts.
It looks like you were told wrong.
Since this is supposed to be a fifty year deck, I would use SS screws.
Any more questions????????????????
Excellence is its own reward!
Yeah, what is the latin term for someone who has an overwhelming aversion to the letters "U" and "A" ??? I mean, what kind 'phobic' is that ? And how does such a person get a job putting together a website for a composite decking company ?
: )
(And BTW:, I found this thread -after- I found the other one that asked where you were.)
: )Quittin' Time
Who but Luka would be sensitive to the avoidance of u's and a's? Maybe a Paul?
It is curious that when I did the copy/paste from the PDF, it lost all those vowels. Wonder if that's something proprietary in the software to protect documents from unlicensed copying?Excellence is its own reward!
sorry for you..you're in deep sh't using finishing nails on any deck no less a composite......screws are the best choice because of all the movement from big temperature swings. use SS screws and the job gets done right the first time .also 16" c-c ,in my own experiance still moves 12" c-c is best. Some people can't see that if you add a few more joists over the total surface area the composites perform better when dropping it down to 12" c-c.
hope this posting doesn't mess you mind up. i dont know any composite that reccomends finishing nailing. good luck.
Ray
I am not familiar with the carefree decking, but GEO decking is put down with finish nails and glue.I've only seen one installation, and it looked good so far. hope this helps greg in connecticut
To All,
I have since contacted a tech @ the mfg. He said now way nails...SS screws is what they recommend. Thanks to all who responded! Gonna get it going on with the screws now.
Thanks again, DEZ