Tropical Pro™ Professional Grade Boardwalk Screw #18 X 3.5” T302 Stainless Steel should be used when face fastening 2” (net 1.5”/ 38mm) hardwood or softwood decking to treated wood or hardwood stringers.
Hardwood or softwood decking should always be predrilled and countersunk when face fastening. Set countersink bit to drill through decking only, not into stringers. Screws will self drill into treated stringers. Hardwood stringers require predrilling not to exceed screw shaft diameter (.240-.247 inches). When intending to allow wood to weather naturally to a silver grey patina, the natural stainless steel head will blend nicely with virtually any wood species.
At Tropical Forest Products, we promote the use of high grade stainless steel fasteners that last as long as your decking in the harshest conditions in an effort to best protect your investment. Type 316 stainless steel is a nickel-chromium austenitic grade of stainless steel with 2-3% molybdenum.
Type 316 stainless steel is not hardened by heat treatment and is inherently nonmagnetic. It provides a level of corrosion protection suitable for severe environments, especially environments with chlorides and salt spray. Type 316 stainless steel fasteners are compliant with IBC and IRC construction codes.
