Determining the Best Type of Fastener to Use for Outdoor Furniture

It’s that time of year again. That time when we spend more time sitting outside on a patio or deck listening to the kids playing, setting up for a barbeque, or just enjoying a cool drink. And if you have spent winter inside with the heat on, you've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. Whether you own a deck, a patio or just a tiny piece of grass, you need furniture in place to eat that barbequed meal you've slaved over, and relax in the sun. Or maybe you're not the one relaxing. Maybe you're the one who makes the wooden furniture so someone else can relax. Either way, that furniture is the center of your outdoor leisure space and it should be worthy of the attention it will receive.

Outdoor wooden furniture isn’t the same as it used to be. Like most everything else, it has evolved into furniture that can be just as comfortable as your couch indoors. The trends in furniture making show that customers today are more creative, savvier, and influenced by beauty more than ever. No longer are they looking to buy that old wooden block furniture (which we think is still really great by the way). They are seeing elaborate and detailed furniture fit for a king. Or maybe just a neighbor from down the street. Either way, design plays just as much a roll as durability when building that perfect table or swing. So let’s explore some of the methods and materials that are available to you to help plan your next project. Here are some helpful tips to get you started and finished with less time spent on construction and more time spent on enjoying your new creation, or delivering your masterpiece to an anxious customer.

First things first. What material are you going to use to make your furniture? Wooden furniture can be made from a wide variety of materials. Whether you choose oak, teak or pine, it should be weather proof. Since the furniture will be subject to all types of weather, a kiln dried hard wood is preferred as it will resist warping and splitting.

As important as functionality is to your project, you will also want to consider size, color and shape as well. Every carpenter knows that the finished product is only as good as the materials used to make it and the fasteners you choose are no exception. Here are three important recommendations for when you're considering fasteners for outdoor furniture applications:

• Threaded fasteners - they will actually bite into the wood during construction and provide a stronger more durable hold while in use.
• Stainless steel screws or coated screws to resist harsh weather conditions.
• Use mortise and tenon joints. This time-tested approach is the most simple and strong, and will be a sturdier choice overall.

The BECK Fastener Group ® has been the leader in the manufacturing of new and innovative construction fasteners for over 100 years. The SCRAIL ® family of fasteners offers a product to meet most every construction need including the highly praised fasteners they have created for use in wood furniture.

These innovative SCRAIL ® fasteners offer a unique cross-functionality combining a screw and a nail. These construction fasteners are known as The Faster Fastener ® due to the speed at which they can be driven and the savings they can provide.

SCRAIL ® fasteners are used in most common collated coil or strip nailers. They are twice as fast as the typical collated screw and eight times faster than manually installed bulk screws. To see SCRAIL® fasteners in action, click the link below:

Given the versatility and speed at which SCRAIL® construction fasteners can be applied, it’s no wonder they make a great choice for many carpenters. The time saved during installation means greater profit for you and happier customers as well. 

Mini-SCRAIL ® fasteners are another jewel in the BECK Fastener Group ® toolbox. Here are just a few reasons why they are a great choice for outdoor furniture:

• Features the same innovative design, practicality and ease of use as the SCRAIL® fasteners but are ideal for use in outdoor furniture due to their smaller size.
• Smaller design makes them easier to handle and install for more intricate jobs.
• Can be used anywhere that traditional screws are used.
• Offered in several finishes including electro-galvanized, stainless and other finishes upon request.

So whether you are building furniture that rocks, reclines, swings or swivels, one thing is for certain, you need the right fastener. Without it, your beautiful design and hours of work will be for nothing. But we've only scratched the surface in providing all of the details and options for fasteners recommend for outdoor furniture construction. There are so many other important fasteners and tips. For the complete list of recommended fasteners and methods for your next project, please download our whitepaper.