Hardware is the most essential element to your Advantage Rainscreen Siding™ project, or any project for that matter. If you don’t know what is holding your home together, how will you know if it’s reliable? It might be tough to distinguish the good from the bad, when all of these companies have conflicting information. But beware, they aren’t all right.
Beware of Faulty Hardware
There are two basic types of hardware available on the market for siding installation: galvanized and stainless steel. Pressure treated wood (which is typically the material used for furring strips) is usually treated with an alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole (CA). These are copper based materials that are used to slow down rot and decay of the wood, but in return, these chemicals eat the hardware.
Now, galvanized hardware was thought to solve this issue, and in a way it does. Manufacturers coat galvanized steel with zinc. The zinc does a good job at resisting rust, but it’s not so good at resisting corrosion. The copper that is present in the pressure treated wood will always corrode the zinc. If it’s not the wood, the weather will eat away at it, therefore causing corrosion and failure of the hardware.
Stainless steel has always been a reliable go-to hardware material. The nickle and chromium that make up stainless steel are what make it resistant to corrosion. Unlike galvanized hardware, it doesn’t rely on a coating for protection. Unfortunately stainless steel hardware costs more, but when you’re talking about the reliability of the furring strips and your siding, why cut corners? It’s such a small percentage of the overall cost of your project.
Lastly, never mix and match hardware. When some metals come into contact with one another they can form corrosive reactions. Only use top rated fasteners.
DeckWise™ Hidden Siding Fasteners
Advantage Lumber™ recommends DeckWise™ Hidden Siding Fasteners. These fasteners are made from solid stainless steel. They are designed to reduce cupping, twisting, and mold growth that can happen with water penetration. Most rainscreen siding profiles work with the hidden siding fasteners.
Choosing the right hardware is essential for your Advantage Rainscreen™ project. When you are assured that your siding is secured with the proper hardware, you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy your stunning home.
Using SS to fasten the cladding to the furring strip is a no brainer, But what’s holding the furring strip to the building? In our single level ranch it is and army of 7” Headlock screws. In untreated lumber I don’t doubt the screws’ coating resisting corrosion. I considered using PT for the corner furring, but abandoned that when the prospect of steel through an inch of PT said potential corrosion , I dropped the idea.
But the concern resurfaced as I considered a 35k 30-unit multifamily we are involved with. I am contemplating sections of siding and furring from the northeast upper corner in a repeat performance of John Hancock fenestration glazing ( mid seventies I think) .