| If you want to learn about selecting hardware for | | | | While stainless steel fasteners are the most rust |
| your next outdoor furniture project, then you'll want | | | | resistant, they are also the most expensive of the |
| to read this article. Specifically, I'll be telling you about | | | | options we are discussing. However, using stainless |
| what type of hardware will perform best, why the | | | | steel fasteners will add years of life to your |
| type of metal used for fasteners and the finish used | | | | furniture. In the respect, they are an investment |
| are important considerations, and how properly | | | | that will pay out for years to come. |
| protecting or limiting exposure of your furniture to | | | | Brass |
| wet and winter conditions can increase life span. | | | | I have seen brass used in some commercially |
| After you're done with this article you will understand | | | | produced outdoor furniture, but do not recommend it. |
| that the best choice of hardware for your outdoor | | | | While brass does not form red rust, and is well suited |
| furniture project is dependent on furniture style, | | | | for many wet applications such as toilets and sinks, it |
| material used for construction, selected location for | | | | does tarnish and corrode. It is also very susceptible |
| the furniture and budget. | | | | to the tannic acids in wood, which will cause it to fail |
| Selecting proper hardware for your furniture will help | | | | more quickly. Brass screws in particular do not have |
| ensure a long life span, as well as improve the overall | | | | sufficient strength for outdoor furniture applications. |
| appearance of your furniture. Part of the problem is | | | | Outdoor or deck screws |
| knowing what hardware to select when there are so | | | | In the past several years a number of manufacturers |
| many options available at the hardware store. The | | | | have introduced outdoor fastening products |
| typical Lowes or Home Depot carries a huge | | | | specifically marketed for deck building. These will |
| selection of stainless steel, hot dipped galvanized, | | | | typically be green, gray, tan or brown. These screws |
| bright galvanized, plain steel, coated steel and brass | | | | are either ceramic or plastic coated to delay the |
| bolts, nuts, washers and screws. Each type of | | | | metal reacting with the wood acids. The specific |
| fastener is suitable for certain applications, but not all | | | | coating methods are proprietary to each |
| are ideal for outdoor furniture applications. | | | | manufacturer, and can be a combination of |
| In fact, choosing the wrong fasteners can greatly | | | | electroplated galvanizing and plastic, or a baked on |
| shorten the lifespan of your furniture, contribute to | | | | ceramic. |
| rot of wood furniture, cause unsightly staining, and | | | | I have used these fasteners in furniture applications |
| even make your furniture unsafe to use. | | | | and they perform just fine. Unfortunately, I have not |
| One thing that needs to be noted right up front is, | | | | come across bolts with this type of finish. The brand |
| do not ever use unprotected steel fasteners for | | | | of screw I used was Deck Mate, and they were |
| outdoor furniture, They will rust very quickly, and the | | | | available in tan and brown, so that the color can be |
| steel will react with the tannic acid in the wood | | | | selected to better match the wood being used. |
| causing streaks and staining. The tannic acid actually | | | | These screws are ceramic coated, and the |
| speeds up the corrosion of the fasteners. Have you | | | | manufacturer provided a coated bit for installation, |
| ever seen a wooden fence with black streaks | | | | which was designed to not damage the ceramic |
| running down the boards from the nails? This fence | | | | coating at the screw head. If you choose this type |
| was installed with the wrong type of fasteners. The | | | | of fastener, be sure to compare the cost with |
| same thing will happen to your furniture. Even worse, | | | | stainless steel, as the price will vary. If the stainless |
| as the fasteners rust, they will speed up the decay | | | | steel is reasonably comparable in cost, it would be |
| process of the wood around the rusted fasteners, | | | | the recommended fastener. |
| ruining your furniture and making it potentially unsafe | | | | Always be sure to read the manufacturers |
| to use. | | | | specifications on the box to be sure that the screws |
| Hot Dipped Galvanized | | | | are suitable for your application. |
| Screws and bolts treated by hot dipped galvanizing | | | | Other Considerations |
| are specifically designed for use outdoors. | | | | If you are building furniture that will be located on a |
| Electroplated galvanized or bright galvanized fasteners | | | | covered porch or patio where it will be protected |
| ultimately will not hold up as well as the hot dipped | | | | from the elements, the concern will be the interaction |
| galvanized hardware. Zinc is used as a coating in both | | | | between the wood and the fasteners, much more |
| methods, and acts as a barrier against the elements | | | | so than the weather. Furniture that will be exposed |
| and the tannic acids in the wood. | | | | to the elements all year, such as a garden bench, or |
| I strongly recommend only using screws or bolts in | | | | an Adirondack chair in the corner of your garden, will |
| the construction of outdoor furniture, however. The | | | | have to be constructed with much more care and |
| galvanized finish on nails, either electroplated or hot | | | | concern to ensure that they hold up more than just |
| dipped, can easily become damaged while hammering | | | | one or two winters. |
| them in, exposing the nail head to the elements and | | | | Additional considerations must be made beyond just |
| allowing them to begin rusting quickly. | | | | the choice of what type of fastener to use, though |
| Adequate care must be taken when installing | | | | this is very important. For example, fasteners should |
| galvanized screws. Drill pilot holes in hardwoods, and | | | | not be located where water where collect and sit on |
| be sure to use a bit that is not worn and susceptible | | | | the fasteners for an extended period of time. The |
| to skipping in the screw head. For whatever reason, | | | | screws that attach the seat slats to an Adirondack |
| the galvanized screws seem to not be as well | | | | chair are a prime example- typically these screws will |
| tempered as other steel fasteners, and are more | | | | be countersunk below the surface of the wood. This |
| likely to either snap off or have the heads strip out | | | | will allow water to collect in the screw holes, |
| while installing them. Due to the allowance required | | | | shortening the life span of all but stainless steel |
| for the hot dipped coating, galvanized bolts do not | | | | fasteners, and prolonging the exposure of the wood |
| have as tight of tolerance on the threads, and are | | | | to water, which will increase the rate of decay. In |
| more likely to strip if over tightened. | | | | applications where the furniture will be exposed to |
| Hot dipped galvanized fasteners are a fine choice for | | | | the elements year round the screw heads should be |
| many outdoor furniture applications, including | | | | driven flush with the surface of the surrounding |
| Adirondack Chairs, but are not the best choice for | | | | wood. |
| use in woods, such as teak. | | | | Construction and design of the furniture are also |
| Stainless steel | | | | important considerations. Are the horizontal surfaces |
| Stainless steel is the best choice for use in woods | | | | of the furniture constructed in such a way that will |
| with higher levels of tannic acid, such as | | | | allow them to shed water, rather than collect |
| teak. Stainless steel is an alloy or blend of steel, | | | | it? Think of a picnic table with a slatted or board |
| nickel and chrome. The ratio of the other metals | | | | top. The gaps between the boards allow water a |
| with the steel determine the weather and corrosion | | | | way to run off the top and not pool up. |
| resistance of stainless steel. Because the steel is | | | | Conclusion |
| mixed with other softer metals, the stainless steel is | | | | Stainless steel is usually the best choice for outdoor |
| not as strong, so predrilling of screw holes is highly | | | | furniture applications, though the cost may be |
| recommended in all applications, and essential in | | | | prohibitive for some. There are other less expensive |
| hardwoods such as teak and mahogany. The added | | | | fastener options available that will perform |
| corrosion resistance more than outweighs any | | | | acceptably. Do not use unprotected steel fasteners |
| shortcomings that the metal may have, especially in | | | | for outdoor furniture applications under any |
| outdoor furniture applications. | | | | circumstances. |