Rant: My simple deck board replacement turned into a two day hunt for the right fasteners

I figured swapping a few rotten boards would take an afternoon, but finding the exact 3 inch coated deck screws the original builder used was impossible. Ended up at three different hardware stores and had to special order them, which added a full extra day. Anyone have a go-to source for matching old hardware without this much hassle?

3 comments

3 Comments

colegarcia13d ago

Read an article once that said companies actually do this on purpose, it's called planned obsolescence for parts. They'll make a specific screw head or thread for a few years, then stop, so you're forced to buy a whole new set of fasteners or even parts. Makes your two-day hunt make a lot of sense, sadly.

scott.alex13d ago

My last deck project turned into a forensic investigation on screw thread patterns. I swear they make one specific type just to go extinct after your house is built. I feel your pain on a spiritual level.

kelly47013d ago

Ever wonder if they change the patterns just to sell more of those specialty driver bits?