View Full Version : What fixings do I use for oak decking?
jamrap999
Jan 11, 2009, 10:35 AM
I have some oak decking that I'm going to put down in my garden. Can any one please tell me which fixings I can to use to secure it down as I have been told that steel nails will react with the oak and stain the wood. Can I use stainless or galvanised nails or will I have the same problem?
ballengerb1
Jan 11, 2009, 12:44 PM
Steel will not only react, it will rust out after a few years. I am afraid I have never seen or done oak decking outside. Can you tell us more, exterior oak is kind of unusual. Stainless will work but oak is brittle and you may crack it. There are triple coated deck screws that will work outside with almost any wood but with oak you mat need pilot holes.
21boat
Jan 13, 2009, 04:22 AM
I'm leaning towards ballengerb1 question about "exterior Oak" And the best of the best screws is not just Stainless Steel but Marine grade stainless steel. Many people forget that they have a choice on SS and of course Marine grade isn't cheap but does a very good job.
So far I'm with ballengerb1 on all of his comments here and I would like to add another question. The "garden" how much air is going to be under this oak flooring? And is this going to be a prefinshed flooring? And if not what are you going to use to seal it?
Signed 21 Boat
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ballengerb1
Jan 13, 2009, 06:31 PM
21 asks a great question. I my climate this would be a train wreck waiting to happen. I did forget to ask about how you plan to "put down" this decking. What would you plan to attach it to? In northern Illinois and most other locales we are going more toward pressure treated of composite materials to avoid cupping and rot.