HEADCOTE®
Products

Standard HEADCOTE® 305  _  Usage Notes

|  Product Features  |  Colors, Sizes & Packaging  |  Usage Notes  |  Sample Applications  |
 
SELECTING A HEAD COLOR
  • Consider how you will maintain your deck as well as the likely effects of weathering when selecting a head color for your decking.
  • Within any species of lumber there is variation in grain and color. The Option(s) suggested under our Deck Matcher tool are based on new or clean lumber with clear stain.
  • Plastic and composite decking may be subject to various degrees of fading. (Check with your deck board manufacturer to know what to expect.) The Option(s) suggested under our Deck Matcher tool are based on new boards.
 
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.
  • Note that Tan-Gray (#31), our suggested head color for treated lumber decking, is available in flat head sizes.
 
PRE-DRILLING
  • For best results, Starborn's SMART-BIT® pre-drilling and countersinking tool has been specifically designed to work together with Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (and 316) deck screws as a system -- the SMART-BIT®/HEADCOTE® System -- to create the perfect hole and perfect fit every time.
  • Pre-drilling may be necessary in hardwoods. HEADCOTE® RAZORBACK® can greatly reduce the need to pre-drill.
  • Some cellular PVC ("plastic") decking, such as Azek Deck, will accept Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (and 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 Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (or 316) in composite decking will require pre-drilling to avoid "mushrooming". For many composite deck board brands, use of HEADCOTE® Composite will avoid the need to pre-drill. (See HEADCOTE® Composite Usage Notes for more details.)
  • Even where pre-drilling is not required, using the SMART-BIT®/HEADCOTE® System always guarantees the best results of any face screwing system available. The screw will be perfectly countersunk, with no mushrooming, raised edges, or rough edges.
  • accessory packEven 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.
  • For situations where hidden fastener systems are being used, face screws are still necessary for starter and end boards. For these instances, we offer Accessory Packs that combine a SMART-BIT® tool with 100 Standard HEADCOTE® 305 (or 316) deck screws.
 
HEAD COATING
  • The coating used for HEADCOTE® stainless steel deck screws has been specially formulated for durability.
  • Like all coatings in outdoor and flooring applications, it is subject to wear and tear based on exposure to the elements and foot traffic.