In the case of terrace boards, screws are the fasteners that must be used to maintain the clamping force. They provide excellent board retention and avoid the dreaded board creak that occurs when nails are used.
Deck screws
are better than nails when constructing a deck. They hold the platform more securely and will prevent it from deforming.In addition, you can easily remove the screws for maintaining the platform without causing damage. Taking the example of your platform, you should use nails to fix the joists to the platform structure, but use screws to fasten the platform itself. Ultimately, deck nails are cheaper than deck screws, but most homeowners accept the extra cost of screws since they last longer. Before you head to the hardware store, it is important to understand why many experienced deck builders prefer to secure terrace boards with screws or hidden fasteners instead of nailing them. Do your research to determine which screws will be best for your deck and which nails will be best for the structural parts of the deck.
Use wooden dowels to hide the screws if you don't want to use the expensive hidden fasteners, or deck clips, that many people use on their exotic hardwood decks. Although they are slightly more expensive than deck screws, hidden fixings offer all the advantages of screws, but they keep the terrace boards looking clean and without screw heads or nails. Assuming that the base frame of a platform is well constructed, perhaps it even includes joist hangers for added strength, then fixing the platform can be addressed. My terrace was built with them and it seems that the entire platform was assembled in a factory and bolted to my house. In conclusion, when building a deck it is always better to use deck screws rather than nails. Deck screws provide better board retention and prevent deformation of the platform.
They also allow for easy removal for maintenance purposes without causing damage. Although they are more expensive than nails, most homeowners accept this extra cost since they last longer.
