Replies

1. 
   DanH | Feb 22, 2018 11:19pm | #1

   Don't know a lot about this, but one thing I do know is that SS screws are soft and bend easily.

1. 
   Canada_Deck | Feb 22, 2018 11:48pm | #2

   Good to know.

1. 
   florida | Feb 23, 2018 07:19am | #3

   Please do not use galvanized nails on your deck. SS screws and nails meet the same codes that galvanized do and won't corrode away in a year. We do so much work at or near beaches that I don't even carry galvanized nails and screws. We just use them on all jobs regardless of where they are.  I use only SS joist hangers, clips and bolts as well.

   Hot dipped galvanized nails might work but the more common electroplated nails will start to corrdoe right away. The very large liability associated with a deck is yours, the additional cost of SS is very minor and will let you sleep well at night.

   Here's a good article about decks and fasteners. 

   http://www.deckmagazine.com/design-construction/fighting-fastener-corrosion_o

1. 
   sawdust_steve | Feb 23, 2018 11:21am | #5

   Electroplated nails are garbage and shouldn't be used outdoors- even under roofing shingles. Hot dip Galv is a step up from electro. Stainless is the way to go. (I have never experiened SS to be soft.)

2. 
   Canada_Deck | Feb 23, 2018 12:35pm | #6

   I can definately handle the premium price for the nails/screws.  Where it gets really expensive is all the bigger hardware.

   The deck has ten posts, five beams, five ledger boards, fifteen guard posts.

   If I am going with Simpson, then it looks like almost $200/post for a base and cap (although maybe those prices are marked up quite a bit.)  That would be $2000 just for the hardware for the 10 posts.  Add in all the other pieces and it really gets expensive.

   http://www.manasquanfasteners.com/Simpson_stainless_steel_post_bases_and_post_caps

   I am thinking of going with Simpson ZMax for all the hardware and hardware connectors and then stainless screws for screwing down the decking...

   Thoughts on that?

1. 
   florida | Feb 23, 2018 03:17pm | #8

   You can use ZMax  for all the large hardware as it's coated well enough and thick enough to last a long time. I did a piling replacement job last year where the 6 X 6" post bases were Zmax and were still $100.00 each. I do still use SS bolts on them though. I've seen plenty of beach front houses with rusted out 3/4" hot dipped bolts so don't skimp there. For joist hangers and clips stick with SS. You can usually save a bunch by buying online.

2. 
   mikeljon | Feb 23, 2018 07:27am | #4

   stainless!

   I'm in Maryland by DC and not by the ocean. I used stainless. Didn't want the inevitable rusty heads and staining on cedar. I used Camo stainless screws ($$$$) to attach the cedar deck boards and all the skirting, trim, and step treads were put down with stainless 2" or 3.5" nails configured for my Bostitch framing nailer. Had zero issues with bending or weakness.

1. 
   Canada_Deck | Feb 23, 2018 12:35pm | #7

   Did you have any hardware?  Joist hangers, etc.  What did you use for those?

1. 
   mikeljon | Feb 24, 2018 07:39am | #9

   what florida said...

   I used Zmax and have had zero issues. The coatings on that hardware is much thicker. I used a lot of the DTT2Z brackets for the posts.