Azek Aluminum Deck Post Bolts

Here's a great shot of the fastening method for some Azek aluminum deck posts. The four bolts must be made from a material that will not corrode when water surrounds them and the treated lumber they pass through. Copyright 2018, Google / YouTube, Inc. Fair Use Doctrine screen capture

Just two days ago, January 10, 2018, I was talking with an Azek employee at their booth about bolts that should be used when installing the Azek aluminum deck posts. I was at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida.

It's important to realize I write a syndicated newspaper column that's still published by about sixty papers. In addition, I have about forty years of hands-on experience working in the field. What's more, I'm well aware of a growing and disturbing trend of young builders, carpenters and DIYrs that aren't aware of serious structural dangers when metal fasteners come into contact with outdoor treated lumber and water.

It's basic high school chemistry.

Azek Aluminum Deck Post Bolts Can Corrode Fast

Just before leaving the Azek booth, the Azek team members wanted me to see an aluminum railing system they were displaying at the show. I got into a tug-of-war discussion with this young Azek employee after he showed me the cast flange at the bottom of the deck post. It went something like this:

"Do you supply the needed stainless-steel through bolts, washers and nuts with the posts?"

"No," said the Azek employee.

What followed was a brief discussion about how the entire safety of the railing system is dependent upon the through bolts never rusting or corroding. If that happens, then when someone leans against the railing, it could fail. the person/people could fall many feet to the ground and be seriously injured or die.

Rapid corrosion of metal fasteners happens when you mix modern treated lumber, water and normal steel bolts that have a thin coating of zinc. You need special fasteners that are highly resistant to corrosion when it comes to deck railings and posts.

I mentioned to the Azek employee that I've been doing expert testimony work for about 15 years or more and that my most recent case involved the roof of the Brazilian Ambassador on the island of Antigua. I told this young man that should someone be injured or die because an Azek aluminum deck post fails because of a corroded bolt(s), one of the first companies that's going to be named in the subsequent lawsuit would be Azek.

That's a given. And if the plaintiff's attorney discovers this column early in the process of discovery, it's going to be time for Azek to open up their checkbook.

Simpson Strong-Tie Ally - Corrosion is a Real Danger

"Don't you feel it would be a good idea to include stainless-steel bolts, washers and nuts with your product so you do your best to ensure that your railing system doesn't fail?"

I went on to explain that another exhibitor at the show, Simpson Strong-Tie, had all sorts of literature and experts at their booth that would explain how deck railing posts must have the highest-quality fasteners to be safe for decades.

We discussed the insignificant cost of high-grade USA-made stainless-steel through bolts. For a company like Azek to purchase them in bulk, my guess is the cost per bolt, washer and nut combo would be less than 50 cents each. This means the cost of a post would have to be increased by just $2.00, perhaps $3.00 to cover the cost of any packaging for the hardware.

Here's a typical stainless steel through bolt you might use with an Azek aluminum deck post. The bolt costs about 54 cents each. You can buy a pack of fifteen at Amazon.com for $8.07 here in January of 2018. CLICK HERE NOW to order them.

Although I didn't record the conversation, I wish I had now, I'm quite certain the young man said, "Our competitors are not including the hardware and no one would pay the extra money for them."

"Would you like me to prove you wrong? I'm more than happy to do a survey of my tens of thousands of newsletter subscribers and my YouTube subscribers. Let's see what they have to say."

The Azek employee had no interest in me doing this survey for free for them.

"You know what, I'm just going to do the survey on my own and I'll share the results with you. I'm willing to bet that a vast majority of consumers would GLADLY pay extra money for the correct fasteners knowing their railing system will not fail."

You don't have to have an MBA in marketing to see the huge opportunity here. Can you picture this TV or magazine ad:

"Our competitors don't include the require stainless steel fasteners. They just hope the contractor will use the right ones. Do you want to HOPE that your deck railing doesn't fail? Specify Azek aluminum deck posts with included stainless steel bolts and know your loved ones will be SAFE."

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it's now time for you to weigh in. Answer the following question and let the chips fall where they may:

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