Installation of decking

[Mr-H]

My son and I are arguing over this, and I'd like to know who is right please. When installing decking boards on the joist/carrier, would/should you drill pilot holes in the decking board first, then drive the screw right into the joist/carrier? I say yes, he says no, just drive them all the way through. My argument is that drill motors might be burnt out. Who's right please?

[HowardKennitby]

I have never installed decking but I always drill a clearance hole in one piece and pilot hole the other when assembling woodwork.

[dasherman]

I would always drill a pilot hole to avoid any possible splitting of the wood.

[ELVIS68]

Use decking screws, they don't need pilot holes

And a decent drill won't burn out

[The Builder]

I'm going to be awkward now .............. yes, it's always good practice to drill a 4mm pilot hole first...............

but ............... if your using something like Pozidrive "Twinthread" screws, as most of us do, they are engineered with a very sharp point and twin helical threads that don't need a pilot hole first.
Anyway, I must admit that I always drill one. If near the end of the piece, it's easy to split the timber with no pilot hole.

I just have two cordless drills to hand. One with a 4mm bit, the other with a driver bit. The driver doesn't have to work so hard.

[The Builder]

ahhhhhhhh ^^^^^ "you're" ^^^^^^

[ladybird49]

im with elvis on this one , when we had decking put down he did as elvis says , hundreds of screws were used as its a large decking area we have

[Clanad]

I generally agree with Builder on this... but hasten to say it matters what the decking material is made from. We use a lot of cedar or red cedar here in the western U.S. 'cause it's relatively inexpensive and weathers well, even when not finished with sealer... but the butt ends can split if the screws are close to that end. Redwood doesn't do that, but it's very expensive. I pre-drill the end ones and not the middle ones. A good cordless drill of at least 18 volts should last a long time without concern.
My 18v Rockwell is 10 years old... just have to buy a new battery once in a while since some of them refuse to take a charge after a while.

[Mr-H]

Thanks for all folks; my son used torque descking screws without a pilot hole. He insists the last screws will not be close enough to the ends to cause splitting. A secondary, related question please. The gap between decking boards - approx 4mm(?) - what's the purpose? Is it because of the possibility of boards swelling when wet? Surely not for the aesthetic view?

[The Builder]

Everyone has their own way of doing things Mr H. Whatever works for you.
Yes, it's to allow for expansion/swelling. Also for drainage.