Best Nail Gun For Decking

Recently a lot of people have been pondering the question: What type of nail gun do I use for decking?

A framing nailer is the best option. The best framing nailer for decking is the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21 Degree Round Head Framing Nailer. This nailer will make framing and building a deck easier than ever. It is designed with a full round head, and the nails are made of durable steel. 

The nails will go through even the hardest wood, allowing you to assemble your deck quickly and without trouble. The nailer is a valuable tool to have when working on a project of this nature.

In this article, you will learn the key specs of the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic framing nailer, whether a nail gun can be used on deck boards, and whether to use a nail or screw for decking, the size of nail needed for decking and more.

What Nail Gun Is Best For Decking?

We indicated the NuMax SFR2190 Pneumatic 21-Degree Round Head Framing Nailer as the best choice for your next decking project. Let’s have a quick overview of this pneumatic framing nailer.

The NuMax SFR2190 21-Degree Full Head Framing Nailer was built to be a long-lasting and durable power tool. It’s been crafted with a lightweight and durable magnesium body for long-term use and a comfortable and secure handle for easy handling.

NuMax has equipped this framing nailer with a no-mar tip, allowing it to be used on several surfaces. 

The SFR2190 can use 21-degree nails with sizes running from 2 and 23/4″ to 3 and 15/16″. This makes it suitable for securing subfloors, flooring, and decking.

Its depth adjustment and interchange trigger allow it to adapt to a variety of jobs, and its hex wrenches make maintenance a breeze.

The NuMax SFR2190 21-Degree Full Head Framing Nailer weighs 8.15 pounds and comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

Pros:

• The SFR2190 is made with a lightweight and durable magnesium body for long-term use.
• It has an ergonomic handle for comfortable and easy handling of the nail gun
• This nailer is equipped with a no-mar tip, which will expand the number of surfaces you can work on.
• The NuMax SFR2190 is capable of using 21-degree nails
• The depth adjustment and interchange trigger allow it to adapt to different work areas.

Con:

• Although this nailer is lightweight, it is the heaviest of all the NuMax nail guns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use A Nail Gun On Deck Boards?

Of course! Nail guns are great for deck boards. Both pneumatic and cordless nail gun types can handle deck boards, but with some limitations.

If your nail gun is strong enough and has the right nails on it, you can nail many types of wood with a pneumatic cordless nail gun. Wood nail guns are great for wood decks, but they can bend or break when hit by hard objects such as nails, screws, stones, or staplers.

Therefore, we do not recommend steel nails for decks. We recommend that the nails used for nail guns be at least 12 gauge in length and at least 3/8 “to 5/8” in diameter. It is also advisable to keep the surface of the nail flat and place the head of the nail under the surface of the wood to properly position the nail.

Should I Use Nails Or Screws For My Deck?

Both nails and screws are very strong and can hold your deck together. However, if you are using nails you will need at least two nails for each deck joist, which can get pretty expensive. 

Screws will require a power screwdriver which can get expensive too. If you have the money, go with screws. If you don’t have the money, go with nails. 

Either way, you should make sure your deck is level and secure.

How Long Should Deck Screws Be?

Every deck is different. The best length for your screws will be determined by the material the deck is made of, the pitch of each board, and the thickness of each board. 

Different screws have different diameters, so there is no standard length that works for every deck. 

However, 2-1/2 inch nails are a good choice for most decks. Those are usually tall enough to get through both the deck boards and the railing but not too long. 

This way there is less chance of the screw poking through the other end and into the ground.

What Size Nail Do You Use For Decking?

Most people use 3 “(10d) to 3½” (16d) log nails to build their decks. However, many experts suggest using screws when nailing deck boards.

Nails are great for pressure-treated lumber, but getting out can be a hassle when you want to change the design of your deck. Some people believe that when the screws are firmly fixed to the board, the nails are pulled out of the deck board.

Screws are much easier to remove and redesign.

Do You Leave A Gap When Joining Decking Boards?

It is always better to leave a gap when joining decking boards. This will ensure that nails and screws are not visible from the ground. 

The gap will allow for expansion and contraction when the wood is exposed to the elements. If you don’t leave a gap, the wood can crack from changes in temperature and moisture. 

Also, If there is no gap, then the nails and screws will be visible from the ground, which will not only look ugly but can also be a hazard on the deck.

Firstly, a deck builder has to measure the size of the gap that is to be left. It must be 1/8 inch on the sides, 1/4 inch on the top and bottom and 1/2 inch on the end adjoining boards. 

It is a good idea to mark the outline of the board before laying it down. That way, you will never have to worry about accidental changes. The gap will prevent the boards from getting warped. A warped board is not only ugly but also difficult to use.

If you’re still concerned about the space between boards being too wide, then you can use a deck spacer that can help keep the boards tight and together. 

Can You Make Use Of A Nail Gun For Composite Decking?

Yes, you can use a nail gun to install your composite deck. Tiger Claw nail gun is a great tool for nailing composite decking. It is specially designed to work with composite decking boards. 

It is lightweight, easy to handle and powerful, and you can use it for hours without any fatigue. 

Composition decking is kind of big, and if you use an ordinary nail gun, you will not be able to handle it. There are many requirements and recommendations you have to follow. 

Usually, professional deck installers use a pneumatic nail gun to install a composite deck. A pneumatic nail gun can shoot a lot more nails in a shorter time than a manual nail gun. 

When you shoot a nail using the pneumatic nail gun, you can visually tell that your wood is properly aligned to your nails. If you use a manual nail gun, it may take a couple of nails to get the wood aligned properly.  Lastly, pneumatic nail guns are also better for stronger nails.

What Kind Of Nails Do You Use For Composite Decking?

You can make use of the FastenMaster Cortex 2-1/2 to fasten the composite decking boards of your deck. These nails are a little expensive but they are a great value. You will only have to buy them once and they will last for years. 

You can buy yours from Amazon and other online stores, but you can also find them at any home improvement store. These nails are also easy to use. They come with a rubberized coating that helps to make driving them into the boards go faster. 

The coating also helps to prevent the boards from splintering. The coating seems to make the boards less slippery so the nail has a more positive grip. It also helps the nails to grip better if the boards are wet from the rain.

Final Note on the Best Nail Gun For Decking

The best nail gun for decking is one that will provide users with the ability to do a variety of projects with ease. 

Decking nailers are designed to be lightweight and easy to use, allowing for a comfortable experience. To find the best nail gun for your particular project, you will want to consider a variety of factors. 

For instance, you will need to think about the material that you will be working with, the shape and size of the decking, and how long it will take you to complete the project. 

We hope that you found this article to be helpful as you consider purchasing a nail gun for your projects.