Best Screws for Pressure-Treated Wood
Modern pressure-treated lumber (ACQ and copper azole) eats ordinary steel. Fasteners must be rated for the treatment or they will corrode and fail.
What to Look For
- ACQ/CA-approved coating or stainless: the non-negotiable requirement.
- Hot-dip galvanized for structural connections.
- Correct length: penetrate the receiving member 1-1/2 to 2 times its thickness.
- No aluminum: aluminum hardware reacts with copper treatments.
Top Picks
1. ACQ-approved coated deck screws Best overall
The default fastener for treated lumber — a thick, ACQ-rated coating that resists the copper in the wood.
Check price on Amazon →2. 316 stainless screws Maximum life
Stainless is inert to the treatment, making it the longest-lasting option for critical or exposed joints.
Check price on Amazon →3. Hot-dip galvanized structural screws For framing
For ledger and framing connections in treated lumber where you need both coating and shear strength.
Check price on Amazon →What to Avoid
Avoid
- Electroplated zinc screws — the thin plating fails quickly in treated wood.
- Aluminum hardware — it corrodes against copper-based treatments.
- Untreated steel nails or screws outdoors.
Bottom line: On pressure-treated lumber, use ACQ-rated coated or stainless fasteners only. The coating is not optional.
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