DeckMate #8 Tan Exterior Star Flat-Head Deck Screw Review (2026)
By The DIYPicks Team · Updated July 2026
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- Decking
- Exterior
- Fencing
A budget-friendly, color-matched star-drive deck screw that is the workhorse choice for surfacing a wood deck.
Pros
- Sold in 5 lb and 25 lb boxes, so the per-screw cost is very low for a whole deck
- Star drive with the included T-25 bit resists cam-out far better than old Phillips deck screws
- Tan coating blends into cedar and treated pine decking and holds up to weather
Cons
- Coated steel, not stainless, so heads can rust-bleed over years near the coast or ground
- Standard #8 shank is fine for decking but under-rated for structural framing or ledgers
- Coating can scuff on hard driving, exposing bare steel at the head
Specifications
| Drive | Star (T-25, bit included) |
|---|---|
| Coating | Tan exterior epoxy/polymer coat |
| Length range | 1-1/4 in - 3 in (#8) |
| Head | Flat countersink with self-starting point |
| Material | Coated steel |
| Thread | Coarse, self-starting Type-17 style tip |
| Best use | Wood deck boards and fencing |