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Porches & Decks

Redwood Railing & Baluster Questions

16 years ago

This past summer I requested information related to IPE decking via this forum. I could not have completed the IPE installation without the advice received here. Now that the decking is in, I'm replacing the deck rail, posts, and balusters with redwood. Here are my questions...

1. Which stainless screw is best for fastening 1"x4" redwood appearance board to the 2"x2" redwood balusters? The original pressure-treated board/balusters were secured using 2" screw nails. Nasty stuff. My options with the redwood seem to be either the "SplitStop" stainless #6 2" square or star drive, "Silver Star" flat head or trim head #8 or #9, or the "Trimstar" #8 2" from Banner Elk. Perhaps I'm way off and should consider something else? I want a secure fastener, all stainless, that won't split the baluster and won't mushroom the appearance board like a larger head screw will.

2. Which stainless fastener is best for face screwing the 2"x8" redwood top rail to the top of the redwood posts? Unfortunately, the top rail over top of the posts is the design I must replicate due to Homeowners Association standards. Should the drill holes be plugged?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Jeff

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Comments (5)

deckman22
16 years ago
Is there another another 1x4 on the other side of the 2x2 baluster, the sandwhich effect? If it's just one 1x4 that seems pretty flimsy to me. I would suggest using a 2x4 for the rails. If you have to sandwhich use 2x4, 2x2, then 1x4. This gives you 3 3/4" in width, about the width of the 4x4 post, actually 1/4" more. You could buzz off that 1/4" at the ends with a miter cut or sand it off with a sander for cleaner look than letting it stick out.

A cap rail over the post makes for a stronger/straighter rail, I wouldn't complain about that. I know I alot of folks want to run the post up & put a fancy cap or design on them. Personally I like mine with the cap going over the post. I would use 2 - #8 2 1/2 or 3" screws, 1 into the 2x4 & 1 into the 2x2 about every 2' & 2 or 3 into each post.

Al
jinsocal
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, Al. Yes, there will be a 1"x4" on either side of the 2"x2" balusters both top and bottom. The appearance board will be clear heart redwood surfaced on both sides of the board.

Jeff
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dooer
16 years ago
Since none of your screws are going in to pressure treated wood, you can actually get by with any good Deck Screws. I think that they are actually stronger then SS screws and much cheaper. We have had good success with Deckmate screws from HD. They are color coated.

Mark
deckman22
16 years ago
Mark, You're right about the deckmate screws. I use them on most cedar/redwood decks. I have a good source for them here, half what HD charges. Picked up a box today for the cedar deck/gazebo job I'm working on now, 42.00 after tax. If you're interested email me @ deckman2@hotmail.com

Al
john_hyatt
16 years ago
Redwood has a nasty habit of eating any coated screw down the road.SS screws have different make up than regular steel/coated screws but a person cant really say SS is weak compaired to them they are just differant in many ways.

Coated screws are not always less money than SS screws it all depends on where a person buys. Fasco is selling # 7 1 5/8'' ss trim head screws,4000 count for $126 and they pay the freight. John

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