wrote:
Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.

There seem to be at least 4 choices at the local hardware store, along
with rough costs for the number of nails/screws I need.

1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

The local hardware store sales person said I should NOT use the hot
dipped galvanized smooth shank nails as the pickets/rails would come
out as the wood shrinks. He recommended at least using the hot dipped
galvanized ring shank nails - with this he expected I would get approx
8-10 years on ACQ pine if the pine was not sealed/stained after
installation, and 10-15 years if the ACQ pine was sealed/stained. He
also said going up to Deckmate coated screws would be better and
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person said
that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
scews.
;
I have wondered about galvanized nails having seen the zinc flake off
the heads while driving it in. My fence has galvanized screws but now
usually use SS square drive screws. Stainless is softer than regular
steel and the head will strip if you don't keep pressure on the driver.


--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

Lottery: A tax on people who are bad
at math.





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