"Coated screws sound like a solid middle ground though, wish I'd thought of that earlier."
Yeah, coated screws are usually my go-to for outdoor projects. Learned that lesson the hard way myself when I built a raised garden bed a few years back. Thought galvanized would hold up fine, but after one winter they looked like they'd been underwater for decades. Switched to coated deck screws and haven't had an issue since. Stainless is great, but honestly, unless you're building something that's gotta last forever or you're near saltwater, coated screws do the job just fine without emptying your wallet. Did you end up sealing or painting the wood too? I've found that helps slow down rust even more by keeping moisture out of the screw holes.
Yeah, coated screws definitely help, but honestly I've had mixed luck with them. Built a small deck extension last summer and used some coated screws from the hardware store, thinking they'd be fine. Most held up okay, but a few still rusted pretty badly after just one winter. Maybe I got a bad batch or something? Anyway, ended up swapping those out for stainless, and yeah, it cost a bit more, but at least I won't have to mess with it again anytime soon.
I think sealing the wood probably makes a big difference too. I skipped that step thinking pressure-treated lumber would be enough on its own, but moisture still found its way in around the screw holes. Lesson learned I guess... Next time I'll probably seal everything just to be safe. Did you notice a big difference after sealing yours?
"I skipped that step thinking pressure-treated lumber would be enough on its own, but moisture still found its way in around the screw holes."
Yeah, pressure-treated lumber can be deceiving like that. I've seen it plenty of times—people assume it's bulletproof against moisture, but water always seems to find a sneaky way in, especially around fasteners. Definitely don't beat yourself up over it; happens to just about everyone at some point.
Sealing really does make a noticeable difference. Did a shed project last year and decided to seal all the lumber before assembly (even though it was pressure-treated). A year later, screws still look brand new, and there's no sign of rust or discoloration. It was kind of a hassle at the time—extra day of prep work—but honestly, totally worth it in the long run.
Stainless screws are definitely pricier, but considering how much time and frustration they save down the road... I'd say they're worth every penny. Sounds like you've already figured that out though!
Pressure-treated lumber definitely isn't foolproof. I've had similar issues, especially around fasteners—water just loves to creep in there. One thing I've found helpful is dipping screws in a bit of sealant or caulk before driving them in. It's a quick extra step, but it creates a decent moisture barrier right at the entry point. Stainless hardware is great too, but if you're already invested in regular screws, this trick might save you some headaches down the line.
Yeah, pressure-treated lumber isn't bulletproof for sure. I've seen plenty of rusty nails and screws causing issues on roofs I've worked on—even with treated wood. The caulk trick is pretty solid advice; I've done something similar myself, especially around flashing areas or anywhere water tends to pool. Another thing you might wanna consider is using coated deck screws if stainless steel feels too pricey. They're not as bulletproof as stainless, but they hold up way better than standard fasteners and don't rust out nearly as quickly.
Also, keep an eye on the angle you're driving screws in at—sounds minor, but screws driven straight down can sometimes let water pool right on top of the head. Angling them slightly can help water shed off instead of sitting there and rusting things out. Learned that one the hard way after having to redo some fascia boards last summer...
