Installation Guide
PRIMEGUARD MAX
®
SEASIDE APPLICATIONS
PGMSEA
01/2014
Grip-Rite® PrimeGuard MAX® fasteners are distributed by
PrimeSource Building Products, Inc. Grip-Rite® and PrimeGuard MAX®
are trademarks of PrimeSource Building Products, Inc. Other product and
company names listed may be trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2014 PrimeSource Building Products, Inc.
800-676-7777
www.grip-rite.com
www.primesourcebp.com
Environment
When building near salt water 316 stainless steel is the best
performing alloy in terms of resisting corrosion. It is known
as Marine Grade and has been used for years in wooden boat
construction and repair. 316 differs from 304 and 305 stainless
steels as shown below:
All types contain a combination of nickel and chromium; the
chromium creates an invisible passive lm that protects the
fastener. The addition of molybdenum increases the corrosion
resistance and is especially effective when exposed to salt
water. All resist corrosion, but 316 stainless steel is the most
corrosion resistant.
It is important to understand that “corrosion resistant” is not
“corrosion proof.” Note that over 65% of the nail or screw in
316 stainless steel is iron, and when iron is exposed to salt
water, the possibility exists that rust can occur. In normal
conditions—siding, decking, roong and trim projects in
seaside applications—316 stainless steel will function properly.
In cases where oxygen ow is reduced or prohibited, and/
or where the fastener is underwater for extended periods, red
rust can result. It will not corrode to the point of fastener failure
(completely rusting away), but will show surface conditions
such as red rust that will reect the fastener reacting to
surrounding conditions.
Consider when this happens how much worse the situation
would be if a non-stainless steel fastener was used.
Application
When installing siding, decking, roong and trim in, ALWAYS
consider the cost of the primary material, the expected life
and the location. If the material is designed to stand the test of
time and the customer expects long term performance, use a
fastener that is designed to match the life expectancy.
Primary Building Product Recommendations
Review the installation guidelines! Many companies recommend
stainless steel when installing their products. Seaside
applications invite the use of 316 Stainless Steel.
Industry Association Recommendations
It is important to note that over the last 20 years the
WRCLA, CRA and Southern Pine Council have modied their
recommendations as they have learned rsthand what happens
if a builder installs a project with fasteners not designed to
meet the corrosive elements found in coastal conditions, or to
resist the corrosive force of tannins (in cedar and redwood) or
copper (in pressure treated lumber). Today they all recommend
stainless steel. In the case of the Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau
the recommendation is:
Each Certi-label
®
shake or shingle shall be applied
with two fasteners. Nails must be stainless steel Type
316 in locations within fteen (15) miles of salt water.
For locations outside the salt water zone - nails must
be stainless steel, Type 304, Type 316, or hot-dipped
galvanized with a coating weight of 2 ASTM A 153
Class D (1.0 oz/ft ). Stainless steel nails offer the
highest degree of corrosion resistance.
- Roof Manual, pg. 12 (11/20/2013)
Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau, www.cedarbureau.org
316 Stainless steel is the BEST OPTION in
coastal applications.
Fasten it once, Fasten it with MAX.
304 305 316
Chromium 18–20% 17–19% 16–18%
Nickel 8–10.5% 10.5–13% 10–14%
Carbon 0.08% max 0.12% max 0.08% max
Copper — — —
Molybdenum — — 2–3%
Manganese < 2% < 2% —
Iron Balance Balance Balance
Proportion of Elements in Stainless Steel, by Grade:
Why
Stainless Steel?