There are a few types of specialized galvanized coil siding nails specifically designed for fastening deck boards and decking materials:
Screw shoes
These are coil siding nails that have a thread cutting screw tip. They are driven into deck framing members like spiral screws to create thread cuts for better holding power. Screw shoe nails typically range from 3 to 6 inches in length.
Raindrop nose nails
These have a conical nose that creates a curved hole in deck boards to reduce the chance of water getting trapped and causing decay. They are often coated with an additional protective sealant. Nail lengths for decking are typically 2.5 to 4 inches.
Deep pitting
Some siding nails designed for decking have extra deep annular ring shanks to increase withdrawal resistance in deck boards. The deep annular rings (often double or triple rows) create a better grip on the wood. Lengths of 3 to 5 inches are common.
Stainless steel
For higher end decks, specialty stainless steel deck nails are available. They have superior corrosion resistance and strength retention compared to galvanized nails. Lengths from 2.5 to 4 inches are used for decking applications.
The key attributes that distinguish decking nails include deeper ring shanks, conical or raindrop nail tips, screw tip designs, and stainless steel material options. These features improve holding power and resistance to the elements, crucial factors for deck fasteners that will see heavy foot traffic and weather exposure.
So specialized galvanized or stainless coil siding nails with designs optimized for deck fastening are available and often recommended for the best performance and longevity of deck structures.