There’s a reason you need specialized fasteners for marine decking. Corrosion resistance is the biggest consideration in the marine environment. It is of the utmost importance that the fasteners you choose to hold that deck together can withstand the pervasive moisture and salt in the air.
There is more than just one kind of marine decking fastener, too. Depending on the specifics of the deck and the condition in which you are building it, you need to investigate the level of corrosion resistance needed and ask your fastener supplier for the appropriate product.
Medium corrosion resistance
It’s best to eliminate low resistance from your fastener search completely. Fasteners that have medium corrosion resistance are generally those made of mechanically galvanized steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel or ones with double-barrier coating. They can be used in decking but it’s always safer to choose fasteners with high or severe resistance to corrosion.
High
These very reliable fasteners are made of 304 or 305 stainless steel and are good for general marine decking. If you are not dealing with a wooden deck and there won’t be any direct water exposure, these will be a decent choice.
Severe
The gold standard in marine decking fasteners are hot-dipped, galvanized steel with a class C rating, 316 stainless steel, copper and silicon bronze. This is the ultimate decking fastener and is generally what we mean when referring to decking fasteners. It works well with all decking materials and is highly resistant to corrosion.
Above or below the waterline?
Another thing to consider is whether your fasteners are going to be above water or will be submerged most or all of the time. For underwater work, bronze fasteners are the most popular choice, while 316 steel is recommended for applications above the waterline.
Marsh Fasteners has all the screws, bolts, washers, etc that you need for your decking work. Contact us to get the best fasteners for marine decking anywhere in Florida.
