Can You Use Stainless Steel Screws In Pressure Treated Wood

One of the best reasons for using hot dip galvanized steel is that it is remarkably resistant to corrosion whilst effectively resisting the chemicals that have been used to treat the lumber.

Can you use stainless steel screws in pressure treated wood.

Mechanically galvanized screws are generally suitable for decks and other outdoor projects made of pressure treated lumber. Graphus mar 23 18 at 17 28. There are numerous multi coated screws available that are also fine to use with all treated woods. While stainless steel screws might be better suited to building projects with much heavier materials that require stronger tensile support.

But stainless steel fasteners can cost five to 10 times more than similar galvanized fasteners. That said the corrosion resistant nature of zinc makes it a better option if using pressure treated wood or using it for a building project in moister climates. There are a couple things to keep in mind though. Anyhoooo about the screws while hot dipped galvanised and stainless screws are both good choices they are not the only ones you can use.

The coating weights for zinc coated fasteners shall be in accordance with astm a153. Bolts of and greater do not need to be hot dip galvanized steel stainless steel silicon bronze or copper. Corrosion resistant stainless steel screws nails and bolts in grades 304 and 305 can be used for copper treated wood in most areas while grade 316 should be used in coastal areas. There are only two recommended corrosion resistant systems which should be used with pressure treated wood.

The 2006 international residential code states fasteners for pressure preservative and fire retardant treated wood shall be of hotdipped zinc coated galvanized steel stainless steel silicon bronze or copper. Because of the high chromium content in stainless steel which prevents corrosion it s also a good choice for any fasteners that you plan to use on pressure treated wood. Although it s great for masonry screws fasteners made from it aren t sufficiently corrosion resistant and so shouldn t be used with pressure treated lumber. Grade 410 is designed more for hardness than for resistance to corrosion.

Nevertheless you should not use them with pt lumber in contact with the soil in high moisture areas or in areas with salt content in the air. 22 for 1 lb. And unlike other fasteners stainless steel screws nails or bolts cannot be used safely with galvanized structural connectors because of adverse chemical reactions. See this on the wood magazine site for a little more.