{"id":15682,"date":"2017-03-04T04:21:23","date_gmt":"2017-03-04T09:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ozcobp.com\/?p=15682"},"modified":"2021-10-21T18:00:17","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T18:00:17","slug":"choosing-hardware-wont-rust-hurricane-prone-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ozcobp.com\/dev\/choosing-hardware-wont-rust-hurricane-prone-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Hardware That Won’t Rust for Hurricane-Prone Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You\u2019ve been hunkered down for the last two days while the wind and rain ripped past your house, but it\u2019s time to head outside to view the damage. A few shutters are swinging, part of your fence came down, and your mailbox went AWOL. It\u2019s nothing that can\u2019t be fixed in a weekend, right? Then you find the pergola you worked so hard to build a few years ago. It\u2019s still upright, but it looks like it could come down at any minute. If you\u2019ve been through a few hurricanes, you can probably blame the fasteners.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

We all know hurricanes can cause serious damage, and we board up our windows, tie down items outside, and even stock up on non-perishables and water. But when you live in an area that regularly feels the effects of hurricanes, there are other, less obvious measures you should take to prepare. The type of fasteners and hardware you use on your deck, pergola, and other projects can affect how long those outdoor fixtures last and whether they\u2019ll survive the next storm. What you want is hardware that won’t rust, and we’re going to talk about how to find it.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Hurricanes Affect Your Outdoor Projects<\/h3>\n

The states most <\/span>vulnerable<\/span> to<\/span> hurricanes<\/span><\/a> are Louisiana, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Maryland. This includes most of the East Coast and gulf states. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because hurricanes tend to affect coastal areas, they can bring a lot of saltwater onto your property. This can mean serious problems for the metal hardware in your deck, railings, and fencing, since salt water is <\/span>extremely<\/span> corrosive<\/span><\/a>. When your hardware is submerged under water, as can happen in flood-prone areas, corrosion becomes even more of a concern, as saltwater will greatly accelerate corrosion of anything submerged in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you live further inland, saltwater corrosion shouldn\u2019t be an issue, but your fasteners\u2019 durability and resistance to rust will still be important in order to help them stand up to rain and strong winds.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Are Your Choices for Hardware That Won’t Rust?<\/h3>\n

There are a few different kinds of corrosion-resistant hardware and fasteners, but it should be noted that nothing is truly corrosion proof. A piece of metal may last for decades, but nature will win eventually. <\/span><\/p>\n