Want to know what people are planning on doing regarding use of the new ACQ treated wood and appropriate fasteners/connectors.
From the ACQ side, they say use same fasteners as before (HDG or SS) and that ACQ is no more corrosive than CCA. However, talked to Simpson rep and was told that per their testing (which is not yet complete), ACQ is more corrosive than CCA. Simpson is kind of reluctant to talk much on this topic since the vast majority of their products are mild steel with minimal galvanization.
Personally I have seen mild steel nails reduced to orange mush in less that 1 year in .4 concentration CCA – really scary consider these these were loading carrying nails for a large deck, and if ACQ is worst this is an issue to be aware of.
I am going to SS nail and screws whenever ACQ is used – for decks I’, going back to use of ledgers and will use more expensive HD or SS connectors when needed.
Comments and other experiences?
gintaras