We came across this great article on corrosion protection for coastal homes, focusing on Understanding Corrosion Protection Requirements and recommending stage construction inspections.
HOUSEPECT Understanding Corrosion Protection Requirements
We’d like to add, make sure your architect or building designer specify Stainless Steel Timber Connectors. Then ensure the builder allows for Stainless Steel in the quote and sources the Stainless Steel product for your job!
Coastal construction should use Stainless Steel Timber Connectors for all the potential areas that may be exposed to salt environment. Being exposed in salt environment, ordinary galvanised brackets tend to corrode at a faster rate as compared to Stainless Steel. This will not only result in structural problems but also rusty brackets look very unsightly. Sea salt can be carried in the air, so depending on your proximity to the sea, stainless steel should be used in any area that could potentially come in contact with air borne salt.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the salt attack can happen further inland that you might imagine! From researching many articles, our basic recommendation is that it should be used up to 5 kms from the coast. However wind borne salt in some areas and circumstances may reach much further inland.
As noted in the article by Houspect ‘The vast majority of builders who are active in coastal regions will know how to make sure your structure is compliant with NCC corrosion protection requirements, but it’s still a good idea to provide yourself with an extra layer of protection’
We know it’s often hard for builders to source Stainless Steel Timber Connectors, as many hardware stores and trade outlets don’t stock a full range. We’ve had them on the phone to us often, annoyed that in the 21st century they can’t just buy Stainless Steel Timber Connectors off the shelf from the local hardware store or trade outlet; and sometimes deciding it’s all too hard and using Galvanised Steel Timber Connectors where Stainless Steel should have been used.
We’d just like to remind builders, architects, building inspectors and anyone else relevant to any coastal construction projects involving timber connectors; that Stainless Steel should be used in coastal locations AND it is readily available!
Check out our Coastal316SS Stainless Steel Timber Connectors Range and don’t hesitate to get in touch for any requirements you may have!
You can see our range of Stainless Steel Timber Connectors here:
Stainless Steel Timber Connectors
This is our handy reference chart comparing details on Galvanised and Stainless Steel metals:
VUETRADE™ Steel Comparison Chart
Mandatory and recommended usage of stainless steel timber connectors varies in different states and areas. Each area has a different classification depending on the type of salt water in the proximity (eg surf, exposed, calm). Therefore, it is advisable to always check with your local building authorities. Wind borne salt spray from surf sea areas can reach inland between 3-6kms. Stainless Steel brackets are also in demand as stainless steel ensures durability and prevents corrosion of metal brackets from other environmental factors in the harsh Australian climate.
VUETRADE COASTAL 316 SS stainless steel brackets should always be used with Stainless Steel fixings.
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