Stainless Steel Fasteners for Timber Fence near The Ocean

teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 10:55

G'day guys, I'm hoping to get some real world experiences or advice regarding having my fence built. 51m perimeter fence around our block about 250 from the ocean.
The previous fence was falling apart and has well and truly rusted through.
tldr- Are 304 stainless fasteners worth using near the ocean if I can't afford 316 batton screws?

I originally intended to have the fence done in 304 stainless steel but I've found that 304 performs poorly in high salt environments.
The overwhelming recommendation is to use 316 stainless steel.
I have been able to source 75mm 316 stainless batton screws to secure the rails of the fence.
Where my dramas have begun is in my search for 316 stainless coil gun nails, the fencer uses a coil nail gun. Calling local fastener shops, they have told me that 316 stainless nails don't really exist. Using 316 decking screws would be the alternative but that would add $700 in hardware (3000 screws) plus a days work of the fencer which I would assume would be around $1000.

I am wondering if it is worth continuing with 304 stainless nails, or if it may even perform worse than decent galvanised nails.
I've read conflicting information that 304 is terrible in salt, and other papers where it will tea stain but will maintain its structural integrity.

Any experiences or expertise you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 11:05
      +1

      Framing nails are not appropriate for a fence, they pop back out after some years.
      They need to be spiral or ring shank.

      • Muzeeb on 24/03/2021 - 12:40
        +2

        This guy nails it

  • oscargamer on 24/03/2021 - 11:18
    +4

    Why not get the fencer to nail gun the timber, then afterwards you add s/s screws. 316 would be ok, 316L would be my choice.

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 11:18

      That is what I'm thinking at the moment

  • madreece on 24/03/2021 - 11:20
    +1

    For the extra cost, I'd go with Gal coil nails and keep an eye on them.
    General steel fixings for near the ocean will just be galvanised. Even if they rusted through in 10 years you can just go through and re-nail them.
    Stainless fixings for a paling fence seems overkill.

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 11:22

      For reference, upgrading all nails and screws to 304 was an extra $300. The extra cost of $700 plus labour was for 316.
      I've tried re nailing this old fence. It didn't end well because the palings all pulled so far from the rails

  • Roofus on 24/03/2021 - 11:43

    304 will tarnish heaps quicker than 316 but will be there forever if you use a gal nail it will eventually rust away

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 12:05

      That's what I was sort of wondering. If 304 would just tea stain or corrode away.
      So you reckon it'll tea stain but maintain its durability?

      • Roofus on 24/03/2021 - 13:01

        it should yes, it would be better if it was in 316 but if that's not an option. Stainless has a very high carbon content making it a hard steel. The main difference between 304 and 316 is the nickel content 316 has more which makes it more expensive to produce hence the price difference but it will be a lot more weather resistant because of this. I think it would maintain its durability yes

        • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 13:17

          Cheers Roofus

  • Muzeeb on 24/03/2021 - 12:41

    Can you just use galvanised fencing nails?

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 13:03

      I don't want to because of the rust near the ocean and the state of the existing fence on the block.
      But I could.
      Considering 304 stainless fasteners were only $300 more for 50m of fencing I thought it worth it.

  • Dio on 24/03/2021 - 13:49

    304 and 316 both have Chromium and will cause grain boundary corrosion in this atmosphere. It will be less in 316 as it has more Ni and Mo. Monel is a more suitable metal for this application, however extremely expensive.

    It is better to go to non-metallic nails, I believe. One Google search gave me this. https://www.brafordindustries.com.au/polymer-fasteners/catal…

    • teacherer on 24/03/2021 - 13:55

      Yeah I've read about boundary corrosion, I'll consider this.

  • frostface on 25/03/2021 - 23:34

    Galv is no good in coastal environments, 304 will pit and may fail, 316 will last the longest (but not forever). Sounds like this fence is reasonably big enough it's worth the investment of 316. I'm assuming it's a timber fence - if so are you painting it? Can you paint over the fixings for added protection?

    • teacherer on 26/03/2021 - 07:51

      Yeah will be timber.

      We are hoping to use a stain which I'm guessing would provide minimal protection

      • frostface on 26/03/2021 - 21:17

        Stain wouldn’t provide a lot of protection against corrosion for the non-stainless fixing. The galv nail or screw will likely also stain the timber. The stains can be removed with oxalic acid, but that’s a lot of work. https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/labnotes/?p=25591

        • teacherer on 27/03/2021 - 00:16

          Thanks for that link. Yes I'm definitely going at least 304 stainless. Hopefully the tea staining doesn't go down the wood.
          I doubt the stain will provide much protection though.

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