Decking

In this article, we will be looking at whether you can use a nail gun for decking. This will include the entire build process, including the construction of the frame, and fixing down your decking boards.

In theory, you could use a nail gun for every part of your decking. This includes building the frame and fixing the boards in place. However, this is not a good idea, and in most cases screws are by far the better option.

Screws will give a much better fixing than nails, plus they are less likely to result in maintenance issues in the future.

Nail guns are a fantastic tool, and they can save a huge amount of time on different jobs. In fact I recently purchased a new nail gun, and it has come in really handy on several projects. However, they are not always the best tool for the job.

If you are interested, you can read my DeWalt first fix nail gun review here. As well as some of the jobs I have used it for.

Below we will look at each stage of building a deck and whether a nail gun is an appropriate tool.

Can you build your deck frame with a nail gun?

Before you lay decking boards, you will need a frame to fix them too. Your frame will usually be built from pressure treated timber. This will consist of deck joists and the surrounding frame.

The frame could potentially be built with a nail gun. Once finished, it will be completely covered in decking boards, and it will also be fastened to posts, so all of this will add extra rigidity to the frame. This means the nails are very unlikely to move.

However, the fixing would still not be as strong as screws and there are other things to consider. For example, over time the wood can expand and contract, as the temperature and humidity changes.

There is a chance that this could cause movement and creaking in the deck. This is far less likely when using screws, as the thread has a much better hold in the timber. With that said, ring shank framing nails do get a pretty good grip.

Whenever I have built deck frames in the past, I have always used screws. Personally, I would not consider using a nail gun to build the entire deck frame. Screws will just create a stronger frame and there is less chance of issues in years to come.

Adding noggins to the frame

Noggins are added to add extra support and rigidity to the frame. Depending on the size of your deck, you could have one or more rows of noggins. When I build decking frames, I usually space rows of noggins between 1000-1500mm.

Also, because I won’t be fixing decking boards directly to the noggins, I tend to stagger them. This is a little easier than fixing them in a straight line.

For this process, I would say that using a nail gun is acceptable, especially if the rest of your frame is secured solid with screws. The advantage with a nail gun, is simply the time it will save.

Each noggin will have at least 2 fixings either end, so this can add up to a lot of work, especially on a big deck.

Nail gun for fixing to decking posts

Once your frame is built, it will need levelling and supporting. The most common way of doing this, is via posts. These are usually set into the ground by digging a hole and set in a special type of post concrete.

Once your posts are set in place securely, the frame can be lifted to the desired height, and fixed level.

When doing this, I do think a nail gun is quite handy. I would not use it for the main fixings. However, it can be useful to get an initial fixing when you level the frame.

This can be especially helpful if you are working on your own. By fixing in place with nails, it will secure the frame at your desired height, and enable you to add more secure fixings.

Can you fix decking boards with a nail gun?

So far, we have discussed building the frame and securing it in place. In these previous stages, the nail gun has been an optional, or supplementary tool. However, in every job so far, screws would still be the preferred main fixing.

This is not about to change with the decking boards. In fact I would strongly advise against fitting the boards with nails. This is for several reasons, which include:

• The finished appearance will be better. Screws will just look much nicer than nails.
  
  
• Decking screws will give a much better fixing. This means less chance of movement and noises from your deck.
  
  
• Screws are very easy to remove. If you nail decking boards, you will have a major headache if you need to lift them or do any type of maintenance in the future. Not only will it be difficult, but you have a very real chance of damaging the deck boards as they are removed.

Screwing your decking boards down, is a time consuming and laborious task. However, any time you save nailing, is likely to come back and bite you 10x in the future.

Unfortunately, this is one of those times, where you need to roll your sleeves up and just do the work. It is extra effort to screw, but in this particular job, it is the best option.

Personally I use screws for the entire project. However, I would definitely consider nailing noggins and using nails as a secondary fixing in some cases.

Conclusion

A nail gun is definitely not the best power tool for building and laying a deck. Screws are far superior in every stage of this job. There is an argument for nailing the frame. However, it is undeniable that screws will give a better fixing.

Also, you would need galvanised ring shank framing nails for outside work. These are not the cheapest option.

The only disadvantage with screws, is the time it takes. But, on the flip side, the future issues and maintenance will be greatly reduced with screws. So in the long term, it will probably save you even more time.

My advice, is to simply spend the extra time screwing everything, and this will achieve the best possible finished job.

Decking can be a great addition to the outside of any home. It provides an area that can be used for sitting out, barbeque, entertaining guests, etc. It also adds an aesthetically pleasing feature to your garden.

However, there is some debate on the correct way of installing your decking.

In this article, we will be discussing the controversial subject, of whether decking boards need gaps when installed. Due to moisture levels and temperature, boards will expand and contract over time. Therefore, a gap is inevitable after the boards are fitted. But should they be installed with a gap?

Surprisingly, this is a topic of great debate. Some people like to install the deck boards tight, and others leave a gap. But who is right?

Any timber you buy, whether it’s for internal, or external use, will have some level of moisture in the wood. A common moisture content is between 12-18%.

When it comes to deck boards, they are generally quite a damp timber, as they are not kiln dried after treatment. This also means, the moisture content can vary slightly. However, it is needless to say, that shrinkage in the board is expected once exposed to drier warmer weather.

Deck boards can also expand slightly in some conditions, but it will be to a lesser extent. This is because the moisture content of the boards, isn’t likely to end up much higher than the time they are bought.

Due to this fact, it is always recommended to add a gap during installation. A small 2-3mm gap will allow for any small amount of expansion that might occur. It also avoids a massive gap when boards inevitably contract in the summer.

Reason you shouldn’t fit deck boards tight

The main reason you shouldn’t fit deck boards tight, is you can’t be 100% sure, that they are at their maximum moisture content when fitted.

Wood is a porous material, and the British weather is known to be particularly wet, especially during the winter months. Therefore, if your wood takes on more water, it will expand.

If your boards do expand and become tight, this can cause issues. Many people assume that this will cause the boards to buckle. However, this is very unlikely, I have never heard of this happening, even when deck boards have been fitted tightly.

The main issue is a lack of drainage and an increased risk of rot. Whilst the pressure treatment is designed to protect from rot, it is not immune from it. The pressure treatment simply extends the life of the timber, eventually it will still deteriorate.

The advantage of a gap, is it enables much better drainage, and it avoids water from pooling on the deck.

When fitting decking with a small gap, I have personally never seen the gap entirely close up again. However, in my own personal decking at home, the gap does close up considerably in winter. This is often back to around 3mm. Whilst in the summer this can open up as far as 6-7mm.

When is your decking being installed?

Another thing to consider, is when you are fitting your decking and how long have the boards been stacked and stored.

This can also affect the moisture content. Let’s assume you buy decking boards, and they are stacked outdoors over a period of time. Perhaps you need to wait until you have some spare time. You may also have the frame and supports to build before you start adding decking boards.

Let’s also assume it’s the middle of summer and the weather is very hot and dry. In these conditions, you would expect your stacked decking boards to reduce slightly in moisture content.

If they have reduced in moisture content, it is quite safe to assume, that they could expand if wet conditions cause them to take on water.

The same would be true if you are fitting in cooler, wetter conditions. At this point, it is quite safe to assume, that the boards are unlikely to ever expand very much. This means that a 2-3 mm gap will be more than adequate.

Conclusion

Whether you should install decking boards with a gap or not, is a debate that has been going for years, and I don’t expect people will stop arguing about it any time soon. However, I think I have proved that a small expansion gap is a wise choice.

It makes very little difference to the wider gap in summer, and I have never seen a 2mm gap completely close due to excess moisture in the boards.

By having a small gap on installation of between 2-3mm, this ensures your decking boards maintain a reasonable sized gap, all year round. This will look aesthetically pleasing throughout the seasons. Plus, it will protect your decking from premature rotting, over the longer term.

A shed is a useful storage area for any garden. It provides somewhere convenient to store garden tools, Such as your lawn mower, and other hand and power tools. It can also be used for other items, such as bikes, and even hutches for small pets.

If you are buying a new shed, one consideration is where it will go. Ideally you need some kind of solid base. This will avoid two main things from happening

1. It will avoid moisture and damp entering the shed. If this did happen it wouldn’t be long before your shed begins to deteriorate from the effects of the moisture.
   
   
2. Avoiding subsidence. If there is no solid base, and you shed is placed directly on your lawn, there is also a risk of subsidence and movement. The term subsidence seems a little dramatic. This is something we would usually associate with major structural issues in a property. However, the principle is the same. If a shed doesn’t have a solid foundation, it will be subject to movement.

Decking can be a good option for building your shed base. They are strong and durable (if built correctly) and are aesthetically pleasing. They are also pretty easy to construct and cost effective.

Other good options are paving stones or solid concrete slabs. However, both of these are going to be slightly more expensive, and not quite as straight forward as a small deck.

Advantages of building a deck for your shed base

There are several advantages to building a deck for your shed base. These include:

• Cost – Your deck will usually consist of a treated timber frame, Treated decking boards, some treated posts and some post mix or concrete. So, the overall cost should be pretty low
  
  
• Relatively easy to maintain – Over the years the timber boards may need replacing, but this is not a major issue. The timbers are pretty easy to replace. The biggest issue here, is you will need to move your shed temporarily. However, once this is done, boards can easily be screwed up and switched for new ones.
  
  Also, if you wanted to avoid this entirely, and are prepared to spend a little more, you could opt for composite boards. This type of decking board is likely to outlive your shed.
  
  
• If your using timber decking, you can also stain it the same colour as your shed. This can add a nice aesthetic to the entire shed area.

Is decking a strong enough base for a shed?

I have seen a few people online, suggesting that a deck might not be strong enough to support a shed. I’m not sure how they came to this conclusion, and I completely disagree with it. If you build the deck well, using timbers that are appropriate for the weight they will be supporting, it can be a perfect option.

Let’s just consider what a deck actually is. It consists of a timber joist frame and timber boards laid on top. Sound familiar? It’s actually very similar to the floors you walk on every day in your house.

In a standard property, joist can range anywhere from 6-12 inch in depth, The size of the joists in different properties will vary based on the span they cover.

As an example, a 147mm x 47mm (7x2inch) joist, can span over 3 meters at 400mm centres. This will have a load bearing strength of greater than 1.5kN/m2 (kilo newtons/square meter).

Obviously, there are some differences between the two. The main one being, joists in a house are in a property with solid foundations. However, these floor joist regulations regulations are based on the timber strength only. They state that the joists should be able to support the dead load from above, without sagging.

Therefore, if we use appropriately sized joists for our deck base, the same will be true, and there will be no chance of sagging under the sheds weight.

The next element that we need to get right, is a solid footing for the deck to sit on. My personal preference for this, is 4×4 inch treated posts and concrete (postcrete). I then fix the posts in each corner and every 1.6m, securely bolting them to the frame.

Basically, if your deck is built with the correct timber and it has posts supporting it, it will be a very strong structure. Easily strong enough to support a shed.

Also, the posts ensure that no span is bigger than 1.6m. Therefore, the joists are extremely well supported and will be able to support several 100kg per m2 with no problems at all.

Conclusion

From a structural and strength standpoint, a deck is easily strong enough to use as a shed base. They are used to support plenty of other heavy items such as hot tubs, garden furniture, and even heavy snow.

Also, they are relatively cheap and easy to build, and they definitely look more attractive than an ugly slab of concrete.

You just need to ensure, that you take the time to build it properly. For example, build your frame with decent sized pressure treated timber. Make sure you have even spaced support posts, that are set solid in a concrete mix. These two things combined will provide an extremely solid frame. Also, your decking boards will tie everything together making the structure even stronger.