Should i use nails or screws with pressure treated wood? and what kind of metal should they be?

Question

okay so, i'm building a tree house with pressure treated wood i was wondering if i should either use screws or nails to make it and what type of metal should they be?

Answer 1

Yep, use screws for all the decking and finishing and nails and bolts for any thing that will support the structure.

Answer 2

more slack is right use galvanized ring shank nails

Answer 3

you should use stainless steel or hot dipped galvanized screws be sure to predrill to oversize the hole to allow for tree movement. use a washer of the same metal so that the s***w won't pull out

Answer 4

Use screws for added security.  Nails work well for perpendicular connections like ladders rungs.  Use galvanized hardware.  Do not burn the wood scraps, especially in a fireplace or Bar-B-Q pit.  The chemicals in the wood are toxic.  Wear gloves or wash up frequently. After construction, let the wood dry out then paint it to prevent poisoning by the tree-house occupants.

Answer 5

I would use screws all the way.  Deckmate square drive screws work best and come with a free bit.  sizes 1 inch to 3 inch.

Answer 6

Good question. Pressure treated wood - the newer "brown" kind - attacks metal.

For general framing use HDG (hot-dipped galvanized) common nails. For large framing members you can use bolts in combination with brackets.

If you use Simpson Strong-Tie hardware they have special "Z-Max" brackets and fasteners with extra galvanized plating on them so they last longer on pressure treated wood. They have lots of info on this in the Simpson aisle at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

For a decking surface you can use galvanized screws or HDG box nails. If you want to get fancy you can use stainless.

Never, never use screws for framing. They aren't strong enough.

Answer 7

Screws I think.