I’ve been wrestling with this exact issue since moving to the coast last year. I thought I was being clever using those “coastal grade” zinc screws on my fence, but after just one winter, they looked like they’d been through a hundred years of storms. Rust everywhere. I haven’t tried ceramic-coated yet, but hearing they’re holding up for you is making me rethink my next hardware run.
Honestly, the price tag on the ceramic ones made me hesitate at first. But if it means not having to replace half my deck hardware every couple of years, maybe it’s worth it. Stainless steel was another option I considered, but I read somewhere that even stainless can pit if the salt spray is relentless. Anyone else notice that?
Funny how living near the ocean makes you rethink every little thing—right down to which screws you buy.
Stainless steel was another option I considered, but I read somewhere that even stainless can pit if the salt spray is relentless. Anyone else notice that?
Yeah, I’ve seen stainless pit out here too, especially the cheaper grades. It’s wild—stuff you’d think would last forever just gets eaten up. I tried those “marine grade” screws once and they held up better, but they’re not cheap either. Has anyone tried doubling up with a sealant or something over the heads? Wondering if that actually helps or just traps moisture underneath...
Sealant can be a double-edged sword, honestly. I’ve seen it help slow things down, but if water sneaks in, it just sits there and makes the rust worse. Out here, I’ve had better luck just sticking with the pricier marine screws and swapping them out when they start looking rough. Sometimes you gotta pick your battles...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with sealants—at least when they’re applied right and checked regularly. On some of our older decks, using a high-quality polyurethane sealant has kept fasteners in decent shape for years, even with salt spray. The trick seems to be making sure there aren’t any gaps for water to sneak in, and reapplying every couple seasons. Swapping out hardware gets expensive fast, especially on bigger properties... Sometimes a little extra prep up front saves a lot of hassle down the line.
Interesting point about the sealants. I’ve seen them work, but only when folks are really diligent with upkeep—one missed season and the salt seems to find its way in. Ever had issues with the sealant peeling or cracking over time? I’ve noticed on some properties, especially where the sun beats down hard, that stuff can start to break down faster than expected. Curious if you’ve found a brand or type that holds up better in harsh coastal weather.
