- Totally agree about the plastic caps—mine cracked after just one winter and I had to replace a bunch.
- Powder-coated fasteners seem sturdier, but I did notice a couple with chipped spots already.
- Curious if anyone’s tried stainless steel instead? Wondering if it’s worth the extra cost for long-term peace of mind...
I went with stainless steel fasteners for my attic vent project last fall, mostly because I got tired of replacing the powder-coated ones every couple of years. The upfront cost was noticeably higher—probably double what I’d have paid for galvanized or coated hardware—but honestly, I haven’t seen a single sign of corrosion or chipping, even after a pretty rough winter here in upstate NY.
One thing I noticed: installation was a bit trickier since stainless is harder, so pre-drilling was a must to avoid stripping or snapping. But if you’re already up there replacing cracked caps and rusted screws every season, it’s kind of a relief not to worry about it anymore. I’d say if you plan on staying in your house for a while, the peace of mind is worth the extra money. If you’re flipping or not too concerned about long-term maintenance, it might be overkill. Just my two cents based on a lot of trial and error...
I went the cheaper route with zinc-coated screws last summer, and honestly, I’m already seeing some rust after just one winter (Midwest, lots of freeze/thaw). Reading your post, I’m starting to think stainless would’ve been smarter.
—I learned that the hard way, snapped two screws before I realized I needed to drill pilot holes. Next time, I’ll probably bite the bullet and pay more upfront. The constant replacements are getting old.“pre-drilling was a must to avoid stripping or snapping”
I get the appeal of stainless, but honestly, I’ve had decent luck with coated deck screws if you’re careful about keeping water out. Sometimes the rust is more about moisture trapped under trim or flashing than the screw itself. Midwest winters are brutal though… can’t blame you for wanting to upgrade.
Sometimes the rust is more about moisture trapped under trim or flashing than the screw itself.
Yeah, I’ve seen that too. I used coated screws on my shed and they held up fine—until I missed a spot with the caulk and water got in. Next spring, rust city. Midwest freeze-thaw cycles just seem to find every weak point. Stainless is pricey, but after replacing half my fasteners last year, I’m leaning that way for anything exposed. Learned the hard way that shortcuts don’t pay off when it comes to roof stuff...