Update: my neighbor's deck collapse changed how I build

I was helping my neighbor with his deck last summer and when we stepped on it, the whole thing sagged. He used those cheap screws that rust out in a year. So now I'm wondering - are galvanized screws worth the extra $20 a box, or am I just overthinking this? What do you all use for outdoor projects?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.finley10h ago

Agree with @william_harris that zinc screws are basically indoor junk, but even good galvanized ones fail fast in coastal air.

william_harris11h ago

What screws was he actually using? Were they the standard zinc coated deck screws from the big box store or something even cheaper?

murphy.aaron10h ago

That's the real question right there, "standard zinc coated deck screws from the big box store." Those things are barely okay for indoors. The thing nobody's talking about is that even the good galvanized screws can be a waste if you aren't getting the right kind of coating for your climate.