DECKFAST® Stainless  _  Usage Notes

TREATED LUMBER DECKING

• If you are using treated lumber decking, only flat head screws should be used as treated lumber can warp or cup to the extent that it can pull through a trim head screw.

PRE-DRILLING

• For best results, Starborn's SMART-BIT® pre-drilling and countersinking tool has been specifically designed to work together with DECKFAST® Stainless -- as well as Starborn's Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (and 316) deck screws -- to create the perfect hole and perfect fit every time.
• Pre-drilling may be necessary in hardwoods. DECKFAST® RAZORBACK® can greatly reduce the need to pre-drill.
• Some cellular PVC ("plastic") decking, such as Azek Deck, will accept DECKFAST® Stainless -- or Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (or 316) -- without the need for pre-drilling. As a general rule, do not use composite screws in these all-plastic products. (Check with your deck board manufacturer's installation instructions for recommendations.)
• As a general rule, using DECKFAST® Stainless in composite decking will require pre-drilling to avoid "mushrooming". For many composite deck board brands, use of DECKFAST® Composite -- or HEADCOTE® Composite -- will avoid the need to pre-drill. (See DECKFAST® Composite Usage Notes for more details.)
• Even where pre-drilling is not required, using SMART-BIT® always guarantees the best results. The screw will be perfectly countersunk, with no mushrooming, raised edges, or rough edges.
• Even decking material that doesn't require pre-drilling overall may still need pre-drilling at the ends of each board and where deck boards meet to avoid splitting.