Great question—and a smart one to ask before investing in outdoor furniture. At [Company Name], we take rust resistance seriously because our benches are built to live outside through rain, snow, humidity, and direct sunlight. The short answer is: we use both stainless steel and galvanized hardware, but we choose them strategically based on the specific part of the bench.
For all visible screws, bolts, and fasteners that sit above the frame or are exposed to constant moisture, we use marine-grade 304 stainless steel. This material contains chromium and nickel, which create a protective oxide layer that prevents rust even in coastal or high-humidity environments. It’s non-corrosive, long-lasting, and won’t leave orange streaks on the wood or metal surfaces of your bench.
For hidden or interior hardware—like the brackets that hold the slats or the bolts inside the frame—we use hot-dipped galvanized steel. Unlike basic zinc plating, hot-dipped galvanizing involves coating the steel with a thick layer of molten zinc. This forms a tough barrier that withstands scratching and oxidation, making it ideal for areas where stainless steel would be overkill (and unnecessarily expensive).
We also take extra steps: all exposed screw heads are either capped with plastic covers or countersunk to reduce water pooling. And every bench is assembled with stainless steel rivets for the moving parts, like folding seats or backrests, so the joints stay smooth and rust-free over time.
So, to directly answer your question: yes, we use rust-resistant hardware across the board, but we pair the material to the application. Stainless steel for visibility and maximum rust protection; galvanized steel for hidden strength and cost efficiency. You won’t find any cheap, plated hardware that flakes after one season.
If you’d like, I can also share our specific test results from salt-spray exposure or our 10-year warranty that covers hardware corrosion. Just let me know which bench model you’re considering, and I can confirm the exact hardware specs for that design.