Learned the hard way why you don't use nails for deck boards in humid climates

Built a deck last summer in Florida and used ring shank nails like I always did back in Ohio. Six months later half the boards are cupping and popping up. Had to pull every single one and switch to composite deck screws. Cost me an extra $300 and two weekends of work. Anybody else learn this lesson the hard way or was I just being stubborn?

2 comments

2 Comments

richardrodriguez2d ago

Admit it, I used to swear by nails for everything. But after seeing my own porch boards start lifting after one humid summer down here in Texas, I totally switched to screws and never looked back. What kind of screws did you end up going with?

eric_carr2d ago

OK I gotta ask, are the boards REALLY popping up or just a little loose? I see people in my neighborhood ripping out perfectly good nails over one or two bad boards. I used nails on my own place in Georgia and after three years I think I've had maybe four nails back out. Pounded em back in with a nail set and was done in ten minutes.