Honestly, I’ve wondered about those newer coated screws too. I went with them for my porch steps last year—just followed the packaging instructions, pre-drilled, and made sure to wipe off any salt spray every now and then. So far, no rust, but I’m not sure if that’s beginner’s luck or the coating actually working. Stainless seemed out of my budget, but these weren’t the cheapest either. If you try them, maybe test a few before going all in?
I get where you’re coming from—those coated screws are a bit of a gamble, especially near the coast. I’ve used them on a couple of rental decks, and honestly, the results have been mixed. Some brands hold up, others start showing rust at the heads after a year or two, even with regular maintenance. Pre-drilling and wiping down definitely helps, but it’s not a magic bullet.
Stainless is pricey, yeah, but I’ve found that the upfront cost sometimes pays off in fewer repairs and less hassle down the line. That said, if the coated ones are holding up for you so far, that’s a good sign. Maybe it’s not just luck—some of the newer coatings are actually engineered to handle salt air better than the old stuff. Still, I’d keep an eye on them, especially after heavy storms or if you notice any chips in the coating.
Testing a few before committing is smart. Nothing worse than having to redo a whole set of steps because the fasteners failed... been there, done that.
Salt Air Nightmares: Building Materials That Don’t Rust Away
Yeah, those coated screws are like playing the lottery—sometimes you win, sometimes you’re just left with a rusty mess. I’ve seen deck railings that looked fine for a year, then suddenly every screw head is orange. Stainless is definitely a wallet-buster, but honestly, I’d rather pay up front than have to explain to a client why their “maintenance-free” porch needs a do-over. I do wonder if some of the newer coatings are actually worth the hype though... anyone else feel like the marketing always promises the moon?
Stainless prices make me wince every time, but after living in an old saltbox for over a decade, I’ve learned my lesson. Tried those “triple-coated” screws once—two years later, I had to chisel them out and they looked like they’d been fished out of the Titanic. Marketing folks can wax poetic about ceramic coatings all they want, but nothing seems to hold up like the real thing. At this point, I just budget for stainless and call it my “future headache prevention fund.”
Marketing folks can wax poetic about ceramic coatings all they want, but nothing seems to hold up like the real thing.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with those ceramic-coated screws—at least for stuff that’s not totally exposed. Maybe it’s just the brand? Stainless is king, no doubt, but my wallet cries every time I buy a box. Sometimes I’ll use coated for the less critical spots and save the stainless for the stuff that really matters. Not perfect, but it helps stretch the budget a bit.
