No, regular wood screws can cause mushrooming and cracking. Composite deck screws are designed specifically to handle the density and behavior of composite materials.
Often not. Most composite screws are self-tapping, but pre-drilling may still be recommended near edges or in cold weather to prevent splitting.
Reverse threads near the head help pull down the material flush with the joist and reduce raised edges or mushrooming. This gives the deck a cleaner appearance.
