I hear you on the price of stainless—my last porch repair nearly gave me sticker shock at the hardware store. But I’ve got to say, after living in a 1920s place just a few blocks from the bay, I’ve learned the hard way that even the best coatings can only do so much. I tried those ceramic-coated deck screws for a fence gate a few years back, thinking I was being clever and saving a few bucks. Looked fine for a while, but after two winters of salty mist and the occasional nor’easter, the heads started to rust and stain the wood. Not catastrophic, but enough to bug me every time I walked by.
That said, I totally get the need to balance cost. I’ve started using a mix, too—stainless for anything structural or visible, and coated stuff for things tucked away or less likely to get hammered by the elements. Sometimes I’ll even dab a bit of marine grease on the heads for extra insurance, though I’m not sure if that’s just wishful thinking.
Funny thing is, I found a box of old brass screws in the basement from who-knows-when, and they’ve held up better than some of the newer “weatherproof” options. Maybe they just don’t make ‘em like they used to, or maybe brass just has some secret sauce for salt air.
Anyway, I guess it’s all about picking your battles. If you’re not right on the water, maybe the coatings buy you enough time. But if you’re close enough to taste the salt, stainless (or even bronze, if you can find it) seems to be the only thing that doesn’t let you down in the long run.
- Totally get the sticker shock—stainless prices are wild lately.
- I’ve tried those “weatherproof” coated screws too, and yeah, they just don’t last if you’re anywhere near salt air. Had to replace a bunch on my shed door after two years…not fun.
- I’m with you on mixing it up: stainless where it counts, cheaper stuff where it’s hidden. Sometimes I’ll even use galvanized if it’s way out of sight and not load-bearing.
- Never thought about marine grease, but I might give that a shot next time. Can’t hurt, right?
- Old brass hardware does seem to hold up better than most new stuff. Maybe it’s just thicker or better made? Either way, I’ll take it if I can find it.
- At the end of the day, I just try to avoid redoing the same job twice. Sometimes that means coughing up for stainless, even if it stings.
Salt Air Nightmares: Building Materials That Don’t Rust Away
Funny you mention marine grease—I started using it on gate hinges a few years back after a neighbor swore by it. It’s messy, but honestly, it does seem to buy you some extra time before things seize up. Not a miracle cure, but better than nothing, especially if you’re right on the coast.
I hear you on the old brass hardware. I’ve salvaged a few pieces from demo jobs and they just feel heavier, like they were made to last. The new stuff looks nice out of the box but doesn’t hold up the same way. Maybe it’s the alloys or just thinner stock these days.
Mixing materials is pretty much standard for me now. Stainless for anything exposed or structural, then I’ll use coated or galvanized where it’s tucked away. Tried to cheap out once on a deck stair stringer with “weatherproof” screws—regretted it two years later when I had to pull them all out, heads rusted right off.
Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay for the good stuff, even if it hurts the wallet. At least you’re not redoing the job every couple years.
That bit about the “weatherproof” screws hits home. I learned the hard way on a rental property near the bay—thought I was being clever using those zinc-plated deck screws for some exterior trim. Looked fine for about a year, then tenants called about the trim literally falling off. Pulled one of the screws and it snapped in half like a cracker. Ended up redoing the whole job with stainless, which cost more upfront but hasn’t given me any trouble since.
I do miss the old hardware too. Had a 1920s bungalow once with original brass window latches—heavy as a rock and still working after almost a century. The new stuff just doesn’t have that same heft or staying power, no matter what the packaging claims.
It’s tough to swallow the price tag on quality materials, but factoring in labor and hassle down the line, it’s usually cheaper in the long run. Salt air just doesn’t care about saving a few bucks...
Salt air just doesn’t care about saving a few bucks...
Ain’t that the truth. I live in a 1918 foursquare not too far from the water, and I swear salt air is like termites with a grudge—never rests. Tried to cheap out with “coated” fasteners on my porch railings once. Couple seasons later, half the screws looked like they’d been dipped in battery acid. Stainless or solid brass is the only way to go, even if it stings at the register.
And yeah, the old hardware just hits different. The front door latch on my place is original, solid brass, and feels like it could anchor a boat. Modern stuff? I’ve replaced two deadbolts in five years because the finish started peeling and the insides rusted up. The packaging always says “lifetime guarantee,” but I guess that’s just the lifetime of a mayfly.
Pricey up front, but nothing’s worse than tearing apart trim you just finished because something rotted out or snapped. Live and learn, I guess...