Buying Deck Screws in Bulk and Other Ways to Buy Screws Cheaper

That small box of deck screws you grabbed on your last trip to Home Depot probably cost you 10-12 cents per screw. Meanwhile, contractors buying the same screws in bulk are paying 6-9 cents (and sometimes even less).

On a single deck project, that's not a rounding error. That's real money you're leaving on the table. And if you're building multiple decks or doing ongoing repairs, the difference isn't just noticeable. It's the difference between a profitable project and wondering why you even bothered.

But why should you buy deck screws in bulk when there are regular wood screws that are less expensive?

Why Are Deck Screws So Expensive? 

Deck screws are so expensive because they're engineered to handle rain, snow, UV exposure, and seasonal wood movement without showing red rust staining all over your expensive deck boards.

Regular wood screws sitting in your toolbox might look similar to deck screws. But here's what makes deck screws completely different (and why they cost more than regular screws).

What is the difference between deck screws and regular screws?

The difference between deck screws and regular screws is their coating and screw features.

Here are all the difference between deck screws and regular screws:

 

That's why pro deck builders only talk about two REAL choices: Do you buy coated screws (that might fail in 5-10 years) or stainless steel (that lasts 20-30+ years)?

One contractor summed it up perfectly: "I use thousands of Stainless Steel deck screws a year to replace 'forever coated deck screws'. The stainless steel torx head screws do not strip out and they can be removed and reused over and over. Consider using the Stainless steel screws for severe environment application as they do not corrode."

6 Ways to Buy Deck Screws Cheaper

Strategy #1: Buying screws by THE PIECE (Screw Count) and NOT by Pound

Everyone says "buy bulk to save money," but bulk buying by weight creates wastage, storage problems, and forces you to do math (which is scarier than the first two!).

Once you know you need exactly 730 screws (or 1,200 or 2,000-whatever your deck calculator shows), the argument for buying by exact count becomes hard to ignore.

Why You Should Never Buy Deck Screws in Bulk By Pound

You end up with a pile of leftover screws you'll never use.

Let's say you went to Tractor Supply. You grabbed a bag, weighed out what you thought was enough for the job, and came home with way more than you needed. Now you've got this bin of screws you'll probably never use (if you bought stainless steel screws in bulk, since they'll be on your deck forever), taking up space in your garage. You overpaid for a material you didn't need.

The bulk-by-weight system creates a hidden cost that nobody talks about. You buy 25 pounds of screws to get your 1,200 pieces, but you only need 1,200. You're stuck with 5 extra pounds of fasteners you didn't budget for, didn't need, and now have to store indefinitely.

Buying bulk deck screws by pound is exactly how you end up with 130 Folger's coffee cans sitting on a custom-made shelf, each full of a specific fastener type!

Why DIYers Should Buy Decking Screws in Bulk By Piece

Unlike ordering 2-inch wood screws bulk by weight where you're basically guessing, when you order "730 #10 x 2.5 stainless steel deck screws," that's exactly what shows up. Not 728. Not a 15-pound bag that gives you 1,200 screws you didn't need.

• No overspending on material you won't use. You're not throwing darts at the budget anymore.
• You actually know what your deck size costs. 12x16 deck = 730 screws. Order 730 (plus 10% buffer = 800). Done.
• You know what you're storing. You know you have exactly 730 pieces of #10 x 2.5" stainless steel deck screws. A half-full 25-pound bag with unknown screw counts is a mystery.
• Future projects are simple. If you need the same screws for a repair or upgrade, you order again. No guessing whether you have leftovers.
  

Eliminate waste, storage problems, and the mental math frustration.

Strategy #3: Online Bulk Deck Screws

This is where professional contractors and serious DIYers live.

You'll find their prices are typically 10-25% cheaper than small bagged quantities at retail. You can order 5,000 fasteners for just $17 shipping, averaging 6 cents per screw. The quality is fine—no "budget brand" corners here. Just direct wholesale pricing.

You’ll also get to buy hard-to-find fasteners from online bulk deck screws suppliers.

The tradeoff here is simple: you wait a few days for shipping, and you get 30-40% savings on per-screw costs. Whether that's worth it depends on your project timeline. For most homeowners, ordering a month before you need the screws makes this a no-brainer.

Strategy #4: Direct From Manufacturers

If you're a contractor doing multiple decks per year, or you're building something like a large commercial project, talk directly to manufacturers like Eagle Claw.

Whether you need standard sizes or 3 inch deck screws bulk for heavy-duty structural applications, manufacturers offer tiered volume pricing. Need 500-1000 screws? You get one price. 5000+? Different price.

You also get consistency. You're getting every screw from the same batch, so your crew knows what they're dealing with. No surprises mid-project where suddenly the screws are stripping heads or snapping when you go to the next box.

The process is straightforward: call the sales number, explain your project scope, and ask about contractor accounts and volume pricing. Most manufacturers will work with you directly, sometimes offering net-30 payment terms.

Strategy #5: Seasonal Sales & Clearance Strategy

This one requires patience and planning, but it works.

Hardware stores need to reduce inventory at the end of seasons. End of summer (late August, early September), they're clearing spring/summer inventory. Fall sales, Black Friday, end-of-year liquidation—these are times when you'll see 30-50% off overstocked fasteners.

The trick is knowing what to buy and when. If you know you're building a deck next spring, buying fasteners during fall clearance means waiting but saves dramatically. You're not paying clearance prices because you're desperate—you're paying them because you planned ahead.

Set up price alerts on the big retailers' websites. Sign up for deck screw supplier newsletters. Check eBay listings—bulk overstocks show up there regularly at significant discounts.

Strategy #6: Building Relationships with Deck Screws Bulk Suppliers for The BEST Pricing

This is where contractors get their real savings. Not by finding "deals," but by building relationships with suppliers who quote them volume pricing automatically.

Open a contractor account with local suppliers, online wholesalers, and bulk deck screws suppliers. Minimum orders are typically 500+ units, but you get:

• Automatic volume pricing (no haggling)
• Better payment terms (net-30 instead of credit card)
• Priority access when stock is limited
• Account manager who knows your preferences

Strategy #7: Buy Stainless Steel Screws In Bulk (The Cheapest Way to Buy Screws)

Contractors know something most DIYers don't: coated screws fail predictably. Stainless steel doesn't. But when you see the upfront price difference at the hardware store, the gut reaction is always 'not worth it.' That thinking costs money later.

That's how you end up refinishing decks in year 3. That's how you discover red rust staining on expensive cedar boards. That's the exact thinking that turns a $2,000 deck decision into a $20,000 problem down the road.

Think of it this way: coated screws have a sacrificial layer that corrodes to protect the steel underneath. That layer will fail eventually, probably around year 3-5 on pressure-treated wood. Stainless steel doesn't need a sacrificial layer because the material itself doesn't corrode. You're not paying for a coating that will eventually fail. You're paying for material that lasts.

How to Get the Best Stainless Steel Bulk Pricing

Contact manufacturers directly. This is critical. An established bulk deck screws company quotes better pricing on stainless steel than Home Depot ever will.

Call Eagle Claw. Ask for a contractor quote on 1,000+ stainless steel deck screws. Order stainless steel screws in bulk 

When you reach them, you're not talking to a call center rep reading a script. You're talking to someone who actually builds decks. They understand your project. They can explain why you need 304 versus 316, why stainless beats coated for pressure-treated lumber, and what net-30 payment terms look like.

That's the professional advantage right there. Small retailers can't offer that. But wholesale fastener suppliers and manufacturers? They do it all day.

Why Buy Deck Screws In Bulk Over Buying Regular Wood Screws In Bulk?

While regular wood screws bulk pricing may seem more cost-efficient for you, this is where bulk buying deck screws really justifies itself compared to generic wood screws: once you've got a supply on hand, you'll find uses everywhere on outdoor projects.

Pressure-Treated Wood Applications (The Main Use Case)

Any time you're fastening pressure-treated lumber—fence posts, pergolas, planters, outdoor furniture—you need deck screws designed for pressure-treated compatibility. Stainless steel deck screws are the professional standard here because regular wood screws will corrode on ACQ-treated wood. Stainless steel won't.

This is why contractors stock stainless steel deck screws in bulk: they use them on every outdoor project. One fence build, one pergola, one planter box—and suddenly that bulk order starts paying for itself because you're not buying retail boxes for each individual project. The ACQ compatibility isn't optional. It's essential, and stainless steel is the only fastener that guarantees it.

Hardwood Decking and Trim (Requires Technique)

Stainless steel deck screws work in hardwoods, but here's where technique matters: hardwoods are dense enough that they'll fight back if you're not careful. A #10 stainless steel deck screw in red oak or cedar needs a pilot hole nearly every time, or you're risking stripped threads or a sheared head mid-installation.

After 28 years of deck building, here's what we know for certain: a simple pilot hole is the only thing that guarantees a perfect result every single time. If you pre-drill, you're golden. Skip the pilot hole on hardwood with deck screws and you're asking for expensive rework and frustration.

The advantage of bulk stainless steel deck screws here: once you commit to the pilot hole strategy, you know stainless steel will perform reliably. Regular wood screws are less predictable in hardwoods because they're not engineered for that density. Stainless steel deck screws in bulk give you consistency across multiple hardwood projects.

Composite and Alternative Materials

Composite deck boards have specific fastening requirements (check the manufacturer specs), but stainless steel deck screws often work fine. The key is verifying compatibility—some composites require specific fastener lengths or styles to prevent splitting or compression damage from over-driving.

Stainless steel deck screws in bulk solve this: you've got a reliable fastener on hand that handles most outdoor composite applications without needing to hunt down specialty fasteners for each project.

Buy High Quality Bulk Deck Screws and Never Rebuild Your Deck

Here's what happens when you don't buy high quality bulk deck screws: you rebuild your deck.

Not upgrade it. Not refresh it. Completely tear it down because the fasteners failed and now the structure is compromised.

Rebuilding a deck isn't just expensive—it's demoralizing. You're not building something new. You're demolishing something you already paid for and tearing out fasteners that have failed you.

Pro deck builders buy stainless steel deck screws in bulk because they know the math. They calculate their project requirements, order exactly what they need (plus 10% buffer), and specify stainless steel because it eliminates callbacks, rework, and the nightmare of a customer discovering corrosion problems three years into the deck's life.

Every dollar you "save" on cheap coated screws costs you ten dollars later. That's not opinion—that's what contractors who've dealt with the consequences report consistently.

High quality stainless steel deck screws in bulk are the one investment that actually prevents disaster. They're not expensive. They're the cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy for a deck that lasts.

Ready to stock up on deck screws in bulk? Contact a pro deck builder here. They’ll help you choose what SS grade to buy, and how much screws you need for your deck. If you're a professional deck builder, get discounts that no other bulk stainless steel screws supplier is offering.

FAQs

Are Deck Screws as Strong as Wood Screws?

Deck screws are engineered for outdoor durability and specific performance specs. General-purpose wood screws aren't. A proper deck screw will handle the seasonal wood movement and corrosion exposure better than a standard wood screw. But they're not interchangeable—you need the right fastener for the right application.

Should I Use #9 or #10 Deck Screws?

#9 for softwood, standard projects, when speed matters, and when budget is a concern. #10 for hardwoods, structural applications, pressure-treated wood that needs extra holding power, and any application where fastener failure isn't an option.

Are Deck Screws Waterproof?

No screw is "waterproof." But proper deck screws are corrosion-resistant. Stainless steel resists rust. Galvanized coatings sacrifice zinc to protect the steel. Coatings fail eventually, which is why long-term outdoor exposure is where material choice (stainless vs galvanized) becomes critical.