Well, you want to get your hands in the process. You want to go ahead and do your own decking, and maybe even build up a basement or garage. But, now you need power tools. Once you have several cracked sheets from using a regular drill, a drywall screw gun starts looking like a really good purchase.
And, it is true. A decking screw gun is indeed a great purchase depending on what you are planning to do around the house. But, there are some criterions that you should keep in mind before making that final purchase.
Things like power source, auto-feed or manual feed, weight, and compatibility become very relevant in the long run. In this article, we are talking about the 10 best decking screw guns in the market today and trying to make a comparative choice between them.
Let’s get decking!
- It never lifts the sheet foam
- Faster, precise, and efficient
You want to do the decking yourself, or furnish up a decking that was previously done. WE get it, it seems like the best thing to do over one summer but when you put your hands to the sheet foam, that’s when you realise you really should’ve brought out the big guns (or the screw the guns, for that matter)
The Dewalt drywall screw gun is the biggest gun you will find in this competition. It has great torque, it has amazing durability, and it will be snagged by anyone who knows its true value.
Now, we do realise the thing is a bit pricey. But you can always turn it down by getting it on a sale or getting it off of eBay. However, think about all the money that you will be saving by doing the decking by yourself.
If you think of it that way, you are actually saving money by investing in it. Plus, this drywall gun will literally last you a lifetime so you can use it on multiple other projects around the house.
Pros
- Bi-material build ensures superior quality
- It has a corded electric power source to prevent any fire hazard
- It never lifts the sheet foam
- Prevents concrete cracking
- Faster, precise, and efficient
Cons
- The product itself is very expensive unless you get it on sale
- Unless you have a lot of drywall work to deal with, this might seem like an unnecessary purchase
- Cheaper than most other drywall screw guns
- Very sturdy and holds its ground
The Rigid drywall screwdriver is a different sort of tool that is very often used for the same purpose. As the name mentions, it is a collated screwdriver, not a decking screw gun.
The fundamental difference between a collated screwdriver and any other regular screwdriver is that the former is made specifically for repetitive rotational work. This means it will lessen your work time by hours.
It is however an older model and pretty heavy to lift. So if you are working for longer hours or working overhead this might pose a challenge.
Pros
- Cheaper than most other drywall screw guns
- Very sturdy and holds its ground
- Doesn’t cause cracking on the drywall
Cons
- Heavy to lift and work with
- Takes some getting used to
- Come with a 20” extension shaft, Phillips drill bits, decking nose piece, and more
- 6 ft power cord allows for mobility and ease of movement around the job site
Metabo HPT SuperDrive Collated Screwdriver
One of the heavier designs available by Metabo and in our selection too. The heaviness however is compensated for with the build quality. The Superdrive collated screwdriver comes with added benefits like a 20” extension shaft.
Most of the time when a brand offers ‘extra’ items with their sold products, the product tends to perform low. But, this one actually outshines most of the METABO tools in functionality and sheer power.
The added bits that come with it all add to the charm of making a monster power tool. If you don’t mind the weight or are used to working with heavy tools, this one will be a total dream come true for you.
Pros
- Come with a 20” extension shaft, Phillips drill bits, decking nose piece, and more
- 6 ft power cord allows for mobility and ease of movement around the job site
- Superior build quality
Cons
- Very heavy for beginners
- Needs adjusting and has a learning curve
- Unique design for the best optimum results
- Maximum usability and heightened functionality from the auto-feed
Next up we are going to talk about the Senco Auto-Feed Screwdriver. And, really whenever one is talking about power tools, Senco will definitely come up once or twice. In our case, it is twice. We have two products from this line.
However, this one gets priority because of its auto-feed feature. Come on, functionality aside, an auto-feed power tool just makes work so much more fun!
We have the heart of a child and we definitely adore this little quirk. However, this is not the only good thing about the screwdriver. The product has a groundbreaking patent-pending corner fit feed design for its auto-feed function.
It has a high torque ability to give you the fastest, cleanest, and most precise results. It comes in a complete set with added drill bits, a decking nosepiece, and even a wooden nosepiece.
Pros
- Unique design for the best optimum results
- Maximum usability and heightened functionality from the auto-feed
- Can hold up to 30 screws at a time
- Reduces work time by hours
Cons
- The bulky shape of the screwdriver makes it hard to work in tight spaces
- It’s not the heaviest design but it still has considerable weight to it
- The limited cord length makes moving around harder
- Powerful design and the ergonomic fit and lift
- Cordless feature for maximum functionality and usability
Makita XSF03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Drywall Screwdriver
Well, since we were just talking about short cords being a hassle for mobility, let’s look at a cordless drywall screwdriver. When talking about this one particular screw gun, its Brushless motor truly outshines every other feature.
The BL brushless motor makes for a quieter and more efficient power tool in general. It only works in lock mode so there’s less noise. The motor conserves battery power and increases the run time of the tool by more than 50%, and matches the amount of torque and RPM on demand.
It also has an ergonomic design and a powerful grip to avoid any accidents. It equips a two-finger trigger system for comfort and reliability.
Pros
- Powerful design and the ergonomic fit and lift
- Cordless feature for maximum functionality and usability
- Capable of handling a variety of drywall and framing installations
Cons
- On the more expensive side
- It is hard to come by a first-hand original of the product
- Has many pro-grade smart features
- Comes with built-in lighting and auto start functionality
Moving on the Milwaukee Fuel Screw Gun. It is yet another powerful drywall decking gun that mostly comes refurbished. When buying these power tools, your best bet is to find refurbished copies basically. Otherwise, the price may shoot up to a couple hundred.
Interestingly it also comes with a brushed Motor and all the benefits that come with having a brushed motor. It gives you quiet performance, easy use, and more power.
As a specially added quirk, this one has built-in LED lighting to help you work through darkness and get into the nooks and crannies. It has an auto- feature which means it starts drilling as soon as it comes in proper contact with a drywall sheet.
Pros
- Has many pro-grade smart features
- Comes with built-in lighting and auto start functionality
- Has a belt clip for extra convenience
- It is cordless
Cons
- Is on the pricier side
- The shape is bulky
MURO Pro Auto-Feed Deck Screw Gun
- It is a stand-up design that doesn’t require lifting
- Easy grip handle for comfort and precise drilling
MURO Pro Auto-Feed Deck Screw Gun
The Muro Pro Auto-Feed Deck Screw Gun is a very powerful tool in terms of its build quality and structure. The manufacturer is famous for very sturdy pro-grade power tools.
If we had to come up with a screw gun that can do the auto-feed thing absolutely flawlessly, we’d probably pick this one. This is an industry favourite for many reasons.
It is not just limited to decking or drywall drilling, it has a multipurpose use around the house. Well, given its price point we wouldn’t expect any less. It is, however, one of the heaviest items we found, weighing almost 9 pounds.
It has an adjustable depth feature which makes sure it doesn’t damage the wall, decking, or roofing. Unlike most other drywall screw guns, it doesn’t lift the sheets or cause cracking. In fact, it can be used for countersinking.
The ergonomic design has a telescopic handle which means you can work with it while standing up. It eliminates the risk of backache and fatigue.
Pros
- It is a stand-up design that doesn’t require lifting
- Easy grip handle for comfort and precise drilling
- The best auto-feed function in the market
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
Pretty old design in terms of accessibility
- Unique design and dedicated use for grooved decking
- Works on a variety of decking boards and framing installations
Tiger Claw Pneumatic Installation Gun for Grooved Decking
The Tiger Claw Pneumatic Installation Gun for groove decking is something a bit different. It is certifiably the best tool to install hidden fasteners. It can install up to 26 hidden fasteners in under 6 minutes.
The tool itself looks great. It doesn’t appear to have any visible anomalies as far as power tools go. It is also quite sturdy but heavy. The fasteners use a unique nosepiece to fasten and hold the screws in place. This is both a great feature and a curse.
Because it will give you great performance but it will be a pain to replace the nose piece. The product is specially designed for grooved decking.
Pros
- Unique design and dedicated use for grooved decking
- Works on a variety of decking boards and framing installations
- Can install up to 400sq ft of decking within an hours
Cons
- Quite heavy to handle
- The drill bits and nosepiece can be hard to find
- Smart ergonomic design
- Fair price for the set of features you get
As we near the end of our intense research and fun trial-filled article, we look at more well rounded, overall best Screw guns. One of the strongest contenders for an overall best screw gun would be this Senco DS440AC Screwdriver kit.
It has some pretty unique and groundbreaking industry patents behind its design concept too. The Depth-lock, the sliding screw guide, and the depth-of-drive adjustment are all features that aid in this screw gun being an industry favourite.
It performs well on almost all kinds of framing installations – hard and soft materials alike.
It is simultaneously used in household and industrial usage and people are raving about its performance every time. It has a balanced set of features and we think it is priced fairly for what it offers to the user.
Pros
- Smart ergonomic design
- Fair price for the set of features you get
- Brush motors aids in saving energy and improving performance
Cons
- Many users have reported that it is not very compatible with larger screws
- Works with most decking materials and all sizes of screws
- Saves energy since it can run on both AC or DC power
This brings us to the last of our offerings today. The Simpson Strong-Tie Collated Corded Decking System. Most of the other products we have used and mentioned are primarily designed for something else and have substantial decking features. This one however is primarily manufactured as a decking system.
So, that is already something to give them credit for. But, it is incredibly heavy to handle; the heaviest one we have encountered so far. It makes for a very sturdy tool, of course, but it might be a challenge to use for people who are not very familiar with their way around power tools.
It also comes with an auto feed formula. It is said to have one of the best auto feed features amongst similar products. It offers depth control for high density decking materials. Comes with an added array of tool bits and nosepiece.
Pros
- Works with most decking materials and all sizes of screws
- Saves energy since it can run on both AC or DC power
- Comes with non-skid teeth that are reversible and replaceable
- Doesn’t scratch the surface
Cons
- The replacement bit holders are hard to come by in your regular hardware stores
Buying Guide
Well, now that you know about the best drywall decking guns in the market, it is time to make a purchase. But, before you pull out your wallets let us help you a bit more.
Here are some factors you should keep in mind while browsing for the best screw guns for decking.
Type of Deck
Well, this goes without saying. But you should definitely think about what kind of decking material you are using before purchasing a decking screw gun. The size of the decking sheets is also going to matter here.
This means, you will have to take into account how big your deck should be, what kind of screws you will need to hold the entire thing together and that will tell you what kind of screw gun can work with those screws.
This way you can narrow down your options and choose from there.
Corded or Cordless
The primary benefit of a cordless screw gun is the ease of movement. If your workspace isn’t that large, this is really no issue for you. Or if you don’t mind working with a line extension.
But, in case you do have a larger workspace and need mobility it is best to go for the cordless models. And, if you end up getting a corded power tool make sure the cord is long enough.
Motor
The part of the tool that matters the most. The heart of the beast! The newer models hitting the market all feature a brushless motor for the most part. Most people believe this to be the better option.
You can save a significant amount of money if you do decide to get a brush motor. But keep in mind, the drill bits for the older models are hard to come by these days and you will have to keep replacing the brush.
Battery
Essentially meaning power source. Most of the refurbished models run on AC power with a corded electric cable. But you can also find a few battery powered models. Most of the time these battery powered screw guns will feature a brushless motor.
Durability
Now this will depend on how much decking you do. If you are using your decking gun pretty frequently you will know it is worth it to invest in a sturdier tool.
But if you are doing this only once, you have a better chance with a less expensive, maybe even plastic drill bits.
Collated and Single Screw Guns
Collated screw guns can drill several screws at a time whereas single screw guns work on each individual screw at a time, hence the name. The idea behind collated screw gun is speeding up the work time.
It is specially helpful to people who work for longer period of time on similar projects. So, unless you are taking on a big refurbishing project at the moment you should be fine with a regular old single scew gun.
Auto-Feed vs Manual Feed
Again, this is something that will come down to the very fact as to how much you use it. If you are using it for just a few individual screws feeding the screws manually won’t be much of a problem.
But, for bigger projects having an auto-feed will significantly cut down your work time and make the process easier.
With these things in mind, you are fully equipped to make your own choice as to which one is the best screw gun for decking meant for you.
Regular Drills vs Screw Guns for Decking
The regular drills and drywall screw guns are mostly similar in how they look. They both have the quintessential large gun design and they perform similar tasks.
But, the screw guns are highly reinforced and they can drill multiple screws in drywall in one go. It is usually the rule of thumb when buying a screw gun that the faster the rotation the better the finished result. Which is not necessarily the case for regular drills.
You can get the tasks done with a drill too. But if you are substituting a powerful screw gun with a regular drill you risk damaging the drywall sheets and
Conclusion
Well, if you are here, that means you already know a whole bunch more about which screw gun you should be getting. But as added guidance, here are some recommendations. We would get the Senco one if you didn’t have any particular needs and wanted just a standard all around best screw gun for decking.
The Simpson one is a bit pricey but it is also another strong contender. We hope you use this article as reference for your decking shenanigans. Good Luck!
FAQ
- Can I use a drywall screw gun on wood?
It is generally safe to use the lighter ones. The heavier screw guns might add too much pressure for the wood to handle and cause cracking.
- Can I use regular screws with a screw gun?
We wouldn’t recommend doing that. Seeking screws are hardened to withstand outside weather and hold together multiple layers of drywall sheet which is probably not possible with your regular old screws.
- Should I be countersinking my decking screws?
Yes, and that is precisely why you should look into a screw gun that does the countersinking for you. It reinforces the screws and makes for a stronger hold.