I'm planning to build a fence for the yard, using 6" Cedar pickets and ACQ lumber for the horizontal pieces.
My question is about the type of screws to use. I have been told that the 'green ceramic' ones are what I need (they're rather expensive) as I don't want screws that are going to rust, or do anything to discolor the pickets.
I would appreciate your comments on this choice, please.
TIA
Lewis.
On Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:28:36 -0800 (PST), with neither quill nor qualm, " snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com" quickly quoth:
The new ACQ lumber is almost always brown. I use the primed deck screws. They're a bit more expensive at $4.50/lb but they don't corrode in a year like untreated screws would.
ACQ needs triple galv hardware, stainless hardware, or primed hardware to last. Think what the extra labor will cost if you don't use it.
"Green Ceramic" or "brown ceramic" will both work. The only other screw that stands a chance longterm is stainless steel. ACQ is EXTREMELY corrosive to steel and aluminum. Heavy hot dipped galvanize bolts can be used for structural fasteners, butanything less has an EXTREMELY LIMITED lifespan.
The guys building pole barns and poultry buildings are finding this out. Build with standard hardware and the barn becomes unsafe in about 5 years, at best. Carbon steel or aluminum siding in contact with the treated wood corrodes throughin as little as a year or less.
The ceramic ones resist rust but are brittle and tend to break if you ever have to remove them. Use SS.
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