Fasteners & finishes for treated wood

galvanized, stainless steel, silicon bronze or copper.

Since stainless steel and aluminum nails are more expensive and diflicult to find, five types of corrosion resistant fasteners are commonly used for most backyard projects.

Common hot dipped galvanized nails (l6d and l2d) are used for framing and for 2" or thicker stock because their large shank provides extra holding power. A l6d nail can also be used to space decking: the diameter of the shank will provide enough room for expansion and contraction of the boards.

For stock 1" thick or less, hot dipped galvanized box nails (8d or l0d) provide adequate strength and have thinner shanks that are less likely to split boards.

Detail work and trim should be applied with hot dipped galvanized finish nails (6d or 8d). Finish nails have small heads that are less noticeable and can easily be countersunk and concealed with putty or spackle.

Hot dipped galvanized ring and spiral shank nails provide high holding power and are an excellent solution.

To prevent splitting, you should recommend that nail points be dulled by tapping them with a hammer or pounding them against an already driven nail. Drilling holes for the nails can also prevent splitting but is more time consuming. Two nails should be used at each joint for 2 x 4s, and three for 2 x 6s. Driving nails at about a 30-degree angle increases their holding power.

Corrosion resistant deck screws are available galvanized or with additional coatings such as chromate. The best have a third coating such as a polymer, which reduces the friction from the galvanizing for easier driving.

Screws provide the highest holding strength (740/o more than ringshank nails). No pre-drilling is required except for close-to-end applications, and they require less work to countersink or remove. They can be installed with a common variable speed reversible electric 3/8" drill. Some manufacturers offer screws specifically designed for deck building, in sizes designed for specific dimension deck lumber. Sizes range from No. 6 x l-5/8" to No. 8 x 3" for lumber ranging from 5/6" x 4" radius edge decking through 2 x 4 and2x6inchdecking.

Story at a Glance

Ways to cut complaints and call backs... a minFlesson in fastener and finish rccommendations for treated wood how to get the message to customers.

Galvanized lag screws are available as corner and railing fasteners. Carriage bolts designed to fasten leaders to existing house walls are available in lengths and sizes best suited to the size and location of a deck.

Finishes recommended for pressure treated wood include sealers, primers, paints, and stains.

Sealers are clear finishes that seal the wood against water penetration without altering its color. A good sealer contains large amounts of solids that hold out the rain, rekrding checking and grain raise and allowing the wood to "mellow in" by reaching moisture equilibrium better.

Because good sealers retard the fading caused by sunlight, the wood will retain its natural color longer. To soften the brand-new look of wood, sealers can be used with bleaches, which "weather" it by interacting with the elements. They can also be used under primed or painted finishes for extra protection as long as they are compatible with the top 'coats.

Paints include both oil based exterior alkyds and exterior latex. Each

T HE Society of American Wood I Preservers has been operating since March I on a reduced scale in preparation for disbanding.

In a letter sent to association members, chairman David Doyle announced the board's Feb. 20 decision to wind down the organization which was due to renew its charter in 1993. (SAWP was chartered as a 35 year association in Atlanta, Ga., on March 28, 1958.) Explaining the decision to accelerate the "advance to 1993," Doyle cited a long list of accomplishments.

"We have some remarkable accomplishments to point to in establishing CCA as the predominant wood treatment in America. Along the way, we've secured Permanent Wood Foundation System approvals in building codes and successfully fended off EPA during the grueling, time consuming and expensive RPAR. And now, we're waiting fior the proposed RCRA Waste Listings rule after an incredible industry effort to prevent EPA from forcing the industry to pave and cover our storage yards! SAWP chaired the industry Arsenical Task Group and while we are not out of the woods yet, our response to EPA on behalf of CCA treaters is indeed a strong, solid case to confine drippage to the process area," he wrote.

Pointing out that American Wood Preservers Institute has been focusing singularly on environmental issues, both legislative and regulatory, and carrying the ball in this area so critical to the survival of wood preserving, Doyle recommended that SAWP members affrlitate with AWPI on or before June l. "The time has come," he said, "to strengthen the voice of the wood preserving industry through consolidation."

George Eliades, president of SAWP, has accepted a position as senior vice president and secretary of AWPI. A 30 vear veteran of forest