Can You Use Screws For Framing

There is a common misconception in the building industry that screws always outperform nails when attaching wood to wood.

Can you use screws for framing. Use screws for securing deck boards to the frame. They re not structural screws and therefore do not meet the requirements as replacement for 16d nails. By the way if you look at the shear rating for those grk screws on the link i posted a standard 3 framing screw has something like 2000 lbs before it snaps. Screws and glue would be a good choice for sub floor attachement but nails and glue will be sufficient.

Can screws be used instead of nails for attaching wall sheathing to framing. 16d nails will bend when house framing is subjected to earthquake non structural screws can snap off causing join failures. Roe osborn a senior editor at jlc responds. Fiasco labs apr 5 16 at 20 55.

If you want to change the ratio of the length of the screw in the two pieces you can use counter sink holes. Nails are sufficient for framing in those cases where you won t get excessive and directional weight thrown in the equation as on a deck. Framing lumber is typically fir or similar softwood and screws often do not require pilot holes. Screws are less likely to pop out or surface than nails when wood expands or contracts.

Use nails to connect your deck framing to the joists holding it up as that s the part that will encounter the most twisting force. You won t need to bore a pilot hole because these screws have serrated threads. You can use these anywhere you would a 16d nail so they re ideal for any projects that use dimensional lumber. I m curious what the shear rating at the smallest thread is on a 16d common nail.

Obviously you cannot have a screw that is longer than the sum of the widths of the two pieces you are joining. This however sounds like it s a post and beam construction house. Nails are often preferred for structural joining including framing walls because they are more flexible under pressure whereas screws can snap. With their coarse threads screws hold better than nails and have more withdrawal force resistance than nails.

I would never use screws on a shed or wall framing. Screws are nice and gentle. Layering as in applying well nailed osb or plywood sheathing to the stud walls. That way you will be able to attach them tightly.

Especially one that sits 12 off the ground. Strength comes from choice of frame members and layering. You can also use hurricane clips straps etc.