The Simpson Strong-Tie Deck-Drive DCU COMPOSITE Collated Screw, #10 x 2-3/4-in. Type 316, Tan 01, 1000-Pack (DCU234S316TN01) is a collated composite decking screw pack built for fastening composite and PVC deck boards. This is a collated screw designed for composite decking installation. Model Number: DCU234S316TN01. If you are running a Quik Drive fastening setup and need a screw that installs cleanly in composite boards while holding up in harsh outdoor conditions, this is the kind of fastener you buy on purpose, not as a substitute.

What makes this screw matter is how it handles composite material. Simpson uses a tri-lobe thread design to reduce damage while driving, and the inverted upper threads help clear excess material so the screw seats more consistently. In plain terms, that means less surface disruption, less raised material around the head, and a cleaner finished look across the deck. The cap head is there for the same reason. It helps prevent mushrooming so the board stays flatter and cleaner at the fastening point.

The 2-3/4 inch length and #10 diameter put this Simpson Strong-Tie collated deck screw in the range serious deck builders look for when fastening composite boards securely. The double-cut point, also described in one source as a Type-17 style point, is intended to penetrate composite decking easily for faster starts. That matters when you are driving a lot of screws and want the tool to start cleanly without walking or chewing up the face of the board.

Material choice is a big part of the story here. This version is made from Type 316 stainless steel, which is the higher-corrosion-resistance option in the DCU line. If the deck is going near moisture, salt exposure, or any environment where standard coated screws are not the right answer, Type 316 is the safer play. You are paying for that upgrade, but on the right job it is cheaper than callbacks, staining, or premature fastener failure.

This fastener is also built around installation speed. It is a Quik Drive collated screw, so it is meant for use in a collated screw fastening system rather than loose, one-at-a-time hand feeding. For crews installing a lot of deck boards, that means better pace, more consistent depth control, and less wasted motion. The T20 star drive, listed as a T20 6-lobe drive, gives solid bit engagement to help reduce cam-out during fastening.

Color matters more on composite decking than it does on framing, and Simpson accounted for that with the Tan 01 head color. It is meant to blend better with matching deck board colors for a more concealed finished appearance. This is one of those details customers notice when the deck is done, especially on jobs where the fastener head stays visible.

Compatibility and application are both specific here. This screw is intended for deck boards made from composite or PVC materials, and it is approved for Trex composite decking. ToolUp also lists roof sleeper assemblies as an application, with the note that in those assemblies the screw should achieve a minimum 1 inch penetration into the wooden roof deck sleeper and should not penetrate through it. That is useful jobsite guidance if you are using this fastener beyond standard deck board installation.

Who should buy this? Contractors building composite decks, remodelers doing exterior upgrades, and serious DIY users who are already working with a Quik Drive collated screw system. If you just need a handful of general-purpose deck screws, this is overkill. If you are installing composite decking in volume and want a cleaner surface, matched head color, Trex approval, and Type 316 stainless performance, this is the right kind of fastener for the job.

Simpson Strong-Tie Deck-Drive DCU COMPOSITE Collated Screw DCU234S316TN01 is the right screw when the finish actually matters

This is a purpose-built composite decking screw for crews that want clean seating, matched head color, and Type 316 stainless durability in a collated format that keeps work moving.

• Who it's for: Deck builders, remodelers, and serious DIY users installing composite or PVC decking with a Quik Drive system.
• Why it stands out: The tri-lobe thread, cap head, and composite-focused point design are all aimed at making visible deck fasteners look better instead of just holding material together.
• Worth knowing: This is a specialty collated fastener, not a cheap bulk screw. If you do not need Type 316 stainless steel or collated installation, you are paying for features you may not use.

• What is this screw designed for? It is designed for fastening composite decking boards, and product data also lists roof sleeper assemblies as an application.
• What material is the screw made from? This version is made from Type 316 stainless steel for high corrosion resistance.
• Is it approved for Trex decking? Yes. The product data states it is an approved fastener for Trex composite decking.
• What drive does it use? It uses a T20 star drive, also described as a T20 6-lobe drive.