What are Landscaping Screws?

Here at UK Timber, we've spent over a century watching fixing methods come and go. From the hand-forged nails of the early 1900s to modern coated screws, we've used them all in our repertoire. But if there's one fixing that's changed outdoor timber projects in recent years, it's the landscaping screw.

Our joiners stopped using traditional galvanised nails for decking and raised beds about a decade ago. Why? Because landscaping screws simply work better for outdoor projects.

What Makes Them Different?

Most screws come with a coating. A typical landscaping screw has a polymer and/or ceramic coating that can withstand the weather in Britain longer than standard zinc galvanising. We've pulled apart old timber decking where standard screws have corroded after 5 years, whilst landscaping screws from the same date are in pristine condition.

When fixing into pressure treated timber, the deep and aggressive thread design, in contrast to the standard screws, makes a difference. Poor threads strip out and not pulling apart the timber is the treatment. Customers have returned to buy more timber after using the wrong fixings the first time because they splintered half their boards.

Why Our Customers Keep Coming Back for Them

Last month, a customer collected some oak sleepers for raised beds. He planned to use standard screws he'd found in his garage. Our yard manager - who's been with us for thirty years - talked him into trying landscaping screws instead. The following week, he was back ordering more for his neighbour, because the installation had been that much easier.

Where They Actually Make Sense

For some uses, we don’t recommend landscaping screws. There’s no point using premium fixings where they’re not needed. But for certain types of jobs, they’re worth every penny:

Decking installations are the obvious one. The corrosion resistance matters when screws are constantly exposed to moisture, and the colour-matched heads (we stock green, brown, and silver) blend beautifully with different timber species.

Raised bed construction using sleepers or heavy timber benefits enormously from the added grip. Landscaped screws hold firm, unlike other screws, when the timber swells with moisture.

Pergola and fence building where strength and longevity matter. We've supplied materials for garden structures that need to last decades, and the fixings are as important as the timber itself.

The Honest Limitations

In our own experience, we’ve used these screws for many years and we know they’re not perfect. For large jobs, these screws could cost a lot. For internal work or temporary structures, that premium is not justified.

They do not use standard drills since an impact driver is much more suited for the task at hand. Driving them with a standard cordless drill often leads to exasperation, since there is much more torque required. DIY customers sometimes need to hire impact drivers, however, most of our trade customers have them.

What We Actually Recommend

For anything exposed to weather - decking, raised beds, external cladding - we recommend landscaping screws without hesitation. The upfront cost is higher but pulling apart failed fixings and replacing split timber costs far more.

For a typical decking project using our pressure-treated boards, budget around £40-60 for screws. That seems like a lot, but when compared to the alternative of nails that pop up, or screws that corrode and stain your timber, it is much more worth it.

We stock several ranges on our website, matched to different applications. The green-coated ones suit pressure-treated timber, whilst the stainless option works beautifully with our oak products for customers who want that premium finish.

After over 100 years supplying timber, we've learned that the fixing matters as much as the wood itself. Use quality timber with poor fixings, and you're undermining the entire project. Get both right, and you'll have garden structures that'll still be solid when your grandchildren inherit the house.

Need landscaping screws for your project? Call our team on 01536 267107 or pop into our yard. We'll make sure you get the right fixings for your specific timber and application. Or click here to view our range of – Landscaping Screws.