Even stainless isn’t totally bulletproof if you get the cheap stuff, though. I’ve seen some of those “stainless” screws from big box stores go brown way too fast.
Yeah, I’ve been burned by that too. “Stainless” doesn’t mean much if it’s the bargain bin variety—learned that the hard way on a set of outdoor stairs. Looked great for about six months, then rust spots everywhere. Now I just raid the marine supply store and pay up front... hurts the wallet but at least I’m not replacing hardware every year. The salt air here is relentless.
That’s the truth—“stainless” can be a gamble. I’ve seen decks where the fasteners looked fine for the first year, then started bleeding rust stains down the boards. One place had these fancy stainless railings, but whoever installed them must’ve used the cheap screws underneath. By the next inspection, the whole bottom was streaked orange. Around here, if it’s not 316 or labeled for marine use, I just assume it’ll rust eventually. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth trying to cut corners with hardware near the coast... seems like you just pay more in the long run.
I see that all the time—folks think “stainless” means invincible, but there’s a world of difference between 304 and 316, especially when salt air gets involved. Had a client who swapped out deck screws for “stainless,” only to find out a year later they’d gone with 410, which pitted like crazy. It’s tempting to shave off a few bucks, but replacing hardware (and stained boards) every couple years ends up costing more. I always recommend biting the bullet and going marine-grade from the start near the coast... learned that lesson the hard way.
Title: Keeping rust at bay when you're near the ocean
That’s the truth—“stainless” sounds so reassuring until you see your deck hardware looking like it’s been through a saltwater car wash. I learned that lesson with my patio furniture. Thought I was being clever, grabbed a set on sale that boasted “stainless steel bolts.” Fast forward to the next summer and I’m out there with a wire brush, trying to convince myself those orange spots were “just surface.” Spoiler: they weren’t.
I’ll admit, I tried to cheap out on some gate hinges too. Figured if it said stainless, it had to be good enough. Nope. Within a year, they looked like they’d been dredged up from a shipwreck. Ended up replacing them with 316 after all, which cost more than the original gate did, but at least now I’m not embarrassed every time someone walks by.
It’s wild how much difference that little number makes—304 vs 316. Before moving near the coast, I wouldn’t have known or cared. Now I’m practically reading metallurgy textbooks before buying a single screw. And yeah, it stings paying extra upfront, but honestly, it’s less painful than dealing with rust stains and busted hardware every couple years.
You’re spot on about the long-term costs. Sometimes you just gotta pay for peace of mind (and less scrubbing). At this point, if something’s going outside within sniffing distance of the ocean, I just assume it needs to be marine-grade or sacrificial.
Funny thing is, my neighbor still swears by “galvanized everything,” but his mailbox looks like it’s auditioning for a tetanus commercial. Some folks have to learn the hard way... or maybe they just like replacing stuff more often than me.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your story—it’s nice knowing I’m not the only one who got schooled by salty air.
That 304 vs 316 difference really is a game changer, especially for anything exposed to salt air. I’ve seen plenty of “stainless” fasteners on roofs near the coast turn into rust magnets in just a couple years. Had a client insist on 304 for their metal roof trim to save a few bucks—two winters later, we were back swapping it all out for 316. The upfront cost stings, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to the hassle and expense of replacing corroded hardware down the line. Galvanized might work inland, but out here, it’s just not worth the gamble.
