My shed floor took two tries with different deck screws | DIY Home Projects

Terry Hayes · 2026-03-22T08:50:05.952545+00:00

First time I used basic zinc screws from the hardware store. They started to rust after one winter in Michigan. Switched to coated deck screws that cost about $10 more per box. Three years later, not a single spot of rust. Anyone else find a small upgrade made a big difference on an outdoor project?

jackson.wesley6mo ago

Three years without rust is pretty good, but honestly, is a little rust on shed floor screws even a problem? It's a shed. As long as the floor isn't falling apart, I'd probably just live with the basic screws.

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joseph_lewis925mo ago

Remember how much of a pain it is to pull out a rusted screw. Had one snap off in a fence post last year, left a jagged piece of metal I had to grind down. That extra few bucks for coated screws isn't just about looks, it's about saving yourself a massive headache when you eventually need to replace a board. Why make future work harder for yourself?

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the_harper6mo ago

Totally agree, it's just a shed floor. I used cheap screws on some outdoor steps and the rust stains look worse than any real damage. Spending extra feels pointless for stuff that's mostly hidden.

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