DeckWise#8x2-1/2" Stainless Steel Trim-Head Deck Screws, Cedar, T15 Head, Covers 50 Sq. Ft. of Decking (100 Pack)

Darker gray is a good match to various grays. Screws seem plenty strong. Broke one or two when driving into knots in the framing which was just bad luck. Nice to have these quickly available in 100 pack which was just enough for our project.

I got these for a very specific job, a screen/wall made out of 1x4 cedar planks that needed some maintenance. It had been assembled with finishing nails but was falling apart. It is in a very visible area so I wanted a very low profile and minimal evidence of the screws, and also wanted the color to match so I got these with the treated/painted heads. The cedar is aged so I got the "hardwood brown" color rather than the "cedar" which matched very well. The planks are attached to pressure treated wood so I wanted relatively coarse threaded screws that would be easy to drive in. And finally this area is exposed to the elements so I wanted quality outdoor fasteners.These screws worked all the way around, after pre-drilling the cedar they went in pretty easily. Unfortunately the small torx type driver had a tendency to strip the screws with my electric drill. I guess it is unavoidable with the trim head but the little teeth are just small compared to the size of the screw. Aside from that these are a good product. You can see in the photo that the hole created by the screw is not much larger than that of a finishing nail.

This are one way screws. By that I mean they will go in just fine but the heads will strip on the way out should you want to remove them. The metal is too soft.If you’re careful to keep your Torx-15 driver pressed hard into the screw head while moving with the screw as it is coming out, you might make it out all the way 50% of the time before the head strips.If the hole you put it in to is snug, forget it. For example, I was going through IPE 1” decking into a PT limber frame. The pilot hole through the IPE had to be greater than the diameter of the screw for me to have a chance of getting it out. I started with an 1/8” pilot hole - that was a mistake. Went in but wouldn’t come out.Even with a Deckwise counter sinking boring bit (for wood plugs), it was 50/50.Fortunately there were very few instances to pull anything out. I just know for parts of my deck where I want accessibility and need removable screws, I will have to use something else, probably larger.

Screws seemed to work well in pilot holes in cedar. Careful, they are easy to overdrive even with a clutched drill. (Would not recommend using an impact driver...too much torque.)Biggest complaint (5 stars to 3 stars) was the missing bits that were supposed to come with each box. 0-for-3 on three boxes. Had to scrounge one from my shop.

The Trex hidden clip system uses a 1-5/8" long screw which is susceptible to stripping in softer wood.These are extra long and hold tight.Biggest issue is finding this sort of finishing screw with a black head, these are perfect.

Expensive product, but it is what it is...

Screws met expectations.

worked great used outdoors on composite decking