When it comes to building a deck, you need to go through a lot of thoughts. You need to worry about the material, grain, color, railing, and much more things. A ceramic vs polymer deck screws, The screws for decking are often an afterthought as it is usually the smallest and inexpensive material on the list. However, selecting the right deck screws is critical to making a durable structure and smoother finish. That’s why you will see different types of specialized deck screws in the market.
Ceramic Vs Polymer Deck Screws
You may have heard about ceramic and polymer deck screws as they are pretty popular in DIY deck building. Here, the ceramic and polymer aren’t actually the screw materials, they are the coating on the deck. So, amongst ceramic vs polymer deck screws, which performs better. Let’s check it out together.
What is Screw Coating? Why It is Important?
The coating is a thin layer on the screw that can modify the performance by improving its property. The screw coating is as important as the material of the component. It can help to improve the lifespan of the decks so that they can hold the structure for a long time. Moreover, the coating of the screws can also enhance the appearance of the deck. Any type of screws can offer you a better performance if they include a coating.
The coated screws can help to reduce friction, prevent corrosion, and offer a decorative appearance to the surface. However, there are different types of screw coatings and their characters can vary depending on the type. Some of the popular screw coatings include yellow zinc, clear zinc, hot-dip, grey phosphate, galvanized screws, and much more.
The ceramic and polymer screw coating is mostly popular for deck screws. In our today’s article, we will discuss the advantages and drawback of the screws.
Ceramic Deck Screws
The ceramic coating is a well-recognized coating that is vastly used in automobiles and some other industries. However, it is considered a new type of coating for the deck screws. One of the main benefits of the ceramic deck screw coating is it can ensure long-lasting protection to the deck. Besides, the ceramic screw coating is hydrophobic, which ensures that it can protect the screw from water damages.
Such a characteristic of the screw makes it one of the best choices for marine applications by offering tough protection from saltwater sprays. Moreover, the high-quality ceramic deck screws are tested under saltwater conditions to guarantee you protection. As they pass the 500- and 1000-hour test, you can be fully assured about the performance.
The ceramic screws make sure that the metal of the screw doesn’t come in contact with the woods. That means it will not cause any stain or discolor in the surrounding area of the screw head when used on the wood decking. Apart from resisting the water, it can also prevent chemicals, UV rays, and scratches. The ceramic-coated screws can be a great choice for the deck and other exterior applications.
Polymer Deck Screws
The polymer-coated deck screws are becoming extremely popular as they offer versatile protection against rust and corrosion. As the name suggests, the screw includes a thin polymer coating on the main metal of the screws. There can be different types of polymer though Teflon coated fastener is the most popular variation. The polymer coating offers a longer lifespan for the screws by adding an extra layer of protection.
One of the notable aspects of the polymer coating is it doesn’t get damaged even when the screw is twisted or turned while installing. Furthermore, the coating can increase the strength of the material up to 4000 PSI tensile strength. That is why such screws are preferred for moving parts and extreme pressure. These fasteners are also cost-efficient than most of the varieties available in the market.
The polymer deck screws are also easy to install as they arrive with a lower coefficient of friction. That means the screw is easy to fasten and loosen using any usual tool. The screws can also offer the same level of corrosion resistance as the steel fasteners. Most of such screws are designed to offer corrosion resistance up to 2200 hours. Such properties make it suitable for both wood and composite decking.
Which One Should You Select?
The ceramic and polymer can offer you decent performance in the long term. However, both type of screws arrives with their own sets of characteristics, making them preferable for different applications. Such as, ceramic screws are highly suitable for marine applications where saltwater can affect the structure.
You can also use these screws on other outdoor applications where you need to take water damage into account. On the other hand, the polymer deck screws are suitable for almost all external applications as they provide excellent resistance against different types of damage and convenience.
Now, you have to know about the characteristics of both types of screws. Now it is up to you to select the appropriate one according to your applications.
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