ACQ treated lumber and non galvanized metal connectors, hinges and hardware, how to prevent corrosion.

Why is this important?

It is important to understand that the corrosive nature of ACQ treated lumber comes from electrolysis, not a low PH(acid) quality of the lumber. The contact of steel with the high level of copper in the treated wood creates this electrolysis and corrosion. It can destroy or severely damage a metal component in only a few years. Significant aesthetic damage can occur in weeks on some cases. As a Seattle deck builder and fence installer,  weather and the corrosion that comes with it is a major concern.

What can be done to protect my hangers when using ACQ treated lumber?

One of the easiest ways to use a non ACQ rated metal component is simply to insulate it from the copper in the treated lumber with an adhesive flashing barrier. This interrupts the conductivity between the steel component and the copper in the wood. This is actually a building code approved method for when a hanger or other engineered component that is unavailable in a resistant form must be used. In the photo you can see how I have bedded the post with a strip of Vycor “deck protector and then scored the outline of the hinge to remove the excess flashing around the hinge. You can learn more about ACQ and electrolysis in my related post.

Vycor backing is peeled away from around standard coated hinge.