Outdoor construction 101

1. Invest in fasteners

Trying to save money with low-quality, low-cost screws is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when building a deck. Low-quality screws corrode, discoloring your deck and shortening its life, particularly if the wood used is pressure-treated. (Even if your decking isn't pressure-treated, it will be attached to pressure-treated beams and joists.) When old decks start to get rickety, it's often because of failing fasteners rather than the wood. Stainless-steel or coated screws specifically made for pressure-treated wood resist corrosion and extend your deck's life. You'll find a free downloadable guide to wood screws at woodmagazine.com/charts.

Woodworking Materials

Shop for stainless-steel screws at amazon.com