Finding the best screws for your deck is certainly not an easy task. With a huge variety, you might need help deciding which is best for you.
However, the greatest factors to look for are strength, durability, and the ability to resist rust. Do many users wonder whether decking screws are rust-proof or not?
The truth is decking screws are not entirely rust-proof; they have a coating of rust-resistant material which can wear off with time.
Stainless screws are the strongest and most effective against rust. However, they are very expensive and might exceed your budget.
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Why Do The Screws Rust?
Rust is a natural process, and it occurs when iron (or any of its alloys) is exposed to water and oxygen. The scientific name of rust is iron oxide which tells us it is a compound.
Decking screws are also made up of metal and are constantly exposed to oxygen. Besides, the moisture in the air, ground, and rain will also affect the screws.
Hence, just like all other fastening methods, screws are also prone to get rusted.
Which Screws Are The Best Against Rust?
| Screw Type | Cost | Rust Resistance |
| Zinc or Phosphate | Low | Low |
| Stainless | Medium | High |
| Galvanized (mechanically) | Low | Low – Medium |
| Galvanized (hot dipped) | Low | Medium |
Galvanized Screws
If you are looking for an in-budget option for your deck-building project, galvanized screws are the most suitable option.
They are coated in a layer of zinc providing them safety from the process of corrosion or rust. Zinc prevents iron from reacting with oxygen or water and is a formidable protection form.
Galvanized screws are the cheapest on the list and are hence the most widely used. However, only the outer layer of these screws is rust-resistant, and as the screw itself is made from black steel, it may start to rust once the outer layer wears off.
There are two types of galvanized screws, hot dipped and mechanical. The latter is weaker because it has a thinner coating layer, while the first is the strongest.
If you are on a budget and looking for a quick solution, galvanized screws are the best option. Moreover, you can also increase their longevity if you look after them properly.
Stainless Steel Screws
Stainless screws should be your go-to choice if you want long-lasting one-time solutions. Although they cost almost twice as much as galvanized screws, they are worth the money.
The best feature of stainless screws is that they are made out of rust-resistant material rather than being coated by it.
Hence, they are a permanent solution as there is no chance of them being corroded by the actions of wind and water.
However, this is true for normal, moderate conditions; if you live in extreme climates or conditions, you might need to opt for a higher grade of stainless steel.
Which Environments Ask For The Strongest Stainless Steel Screws?
You can choose stainless steel or any other type of screw, but there are some situations or conditions in which you must choose steel screws.
Although expensive, it is a one-time expense, and you won’t have to worry about replacing them repeatedly. Besides, you also won’t want to risk the safety of your deck structure with unsuitable screws.
Here is a list of some scenarios in which you mustn’t compromise on stainless steel screws.
- Coastal locations
- Marine environments/docks; any area with a high level of moisture and salt.
- Pool decks.
- Decks located near road salt (de-icing salt). The salt contains corrosive substances which can penetrate the screws and cause them to rust.
- Dusty areas where you might need to wash the wooden deck on and off. Washing increases the water exposure and may speed up the corrosion rate of the screws.
- Decks built over a large area, as a larger structure requires stronger screws to be held together in place.
- Decks built at a greater height require stronger screws to provide stability at greater heights.
- On fasteners or braces near or underground as the moisture content is great under or near the ground.
- Decks that are made of flexible wood as they exert greater pressure on screws, for instance, Teak, Cumaru, and OrganoWood.
How Do I Protect The Screws From Rust
There are certain ways to save the screws from corroding, such as cleaning on time, drying, etc. Below is a guide to protecting your screws from rust.
Clean & Dry On Time
Maintaining cleanliness and dryness on the surface of the screws. You must prevent letting mold and mildew from building up and causing damage to the wood and the screws.
If you don’t clean up on time or keep the screws from drying, the corrosion process will be sped up, and before you notice, you might find yourself in a difficult position.
Try Protection
There are a few ways you can protect the screws from moisture. They are listed below:
- Flashing Tape: This adhesive tape can be applied over the screws; hence, the screws can be covered to protect them from any unwanted exposure to water.
- Mineral/Oil Paint: Although these will wear off after some time, they are a good temporary source of protection. The layer of coating can protect the screws from moisture and wind.
Use Deck Protection Methods For Screws Too
Coating your screws with the same protective layer as your deck can be super-effective.
The coat for decks prevents moisture from seeping into the wood and protects them from scratches and other types of weather harshnesses.
These are the same factors you want to save your screws from. Hence, it is quite sensible to cover your screws as well when you are coating your deck.
Sealants
- UV & Fade Resistant: UV and fade-resistant wood sealers work excellently to save the color and shine of your deck and ensure that it always looks lush despite being exposed to sunlight half of the day.
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause the wooden planks to dry up and lose all the necessary moisture inside them. This might make your boards stiffer than normal and prone to breaking.
- Waterproof: Waterproof wood sealers are extremely important in the rainy season. Excessive water landing on your deck can create serious problems. Firstly, the water can get stuck in the expansion room you have left for the boards, which will disable expansion and weaken the structure.
Secondly, the water can seep into the wood through the pores and cause it to swell up. This would mean that the wood has lost its strength completely and become a spongy compound that will wither very soon.
Lastly, if the water freezes in either the expansion room or inside the boards, it can cause them to break almost immediately, and your deck will be destroyed in a matter of days.
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Staining
Stains are pigmented substances that protect against harsh UV rays and resist moisture.
If you want a better color and protection on your deck, you can try staining but do keep in mind that it doesn’t provide as much protection as sealants from moisture.
So, if you live in an area where humidity is high or it is a tropical zone, you should reconsider your decision.
- Water-based stains: These types of stains are commonly used for furniture and fences but can also be used on decks. It does a great job in protection, can be applied in low temperatures, and dries up quickly. Besides, it is best recommended for rot and decay-resistant woods.
- Oil-based stains: These are highly functional as they are proposed to move into the pores of the wooden surface and form a protective layer. Although they are harder to apply than water-based stains, you will find them much more shiny and natural once they have been applied.
- Hybrid stains: These stains are a mixture of alkyd and acrylic stains and are much easier to apply than oil-based stains. Besides, they yield similar results as both stains above and are hence considered the best choice by some users.
Final Thoughts
Deck screws are an extremely important part of your deck structure, as they can’t be held together without screws.
Hence, it is crucial that you select the right type of screws and strive to maintain them so they will last you longer.
Follow our guide to choosing the most suitable screws for your deck, and give readers the protection manual, so you know how to protect your screws from weather factors.
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