Depending on the type of screw and type of decking material you’re using, you may or may not have to drill pilot holes.
For most hardwoods, it’s a good idea to drill pilot holes before driving your screws. One of the many advantages of composite decking, on the other hand, is that the screws usually do not require pilot holes.
For example, the Cap-Tor Xd Epoxy Coated Deck Screw by Starborn is designed to eliminate the need for pre-drilling. If you're using the Headcote 305 Stainless Steel Trim Head Deck Screws by Starborn on a hardwood deck, though, you will need to pre-drill.
If you're not sure if you'll need to drill a pilot hole for your screws, give one of our decking experts a call at 1-888-824-5316. We'd be happy to help your deck project by giving you the best recommendation!
