Originally Published as: Maze Nails
Gold Key Awards: 43 Website: www.mazenails.com Phone: 800-435-5949 FAX: 815-223-7585
Cheap Nails Can Fail in Storms: Why Electro-Galvanized Nails Don’t Belong in Severe Weather Regions
When it comes to protecting buildings and homes from the destructive forces of severe weather, every component matters. Yet one critical detail is often overlooked: the type of nail used in construction. While inexpensive electro-galvanized nails may appear to be a cost-effective choice, their performance in storm-prone regions often falls short when it matters most.
Builders and contractors working in coastal areas, hurricane zones, and regions subject to frequent storms understand that corrosion resistance and holding power are essential. Nails exposed to moisture, salt air, and temperature fluctuations must withstand years of harsh conditions without compromising structural integrity. Unfortunately, many lightly coated electro-galvanized import nails simply are not designed for this demanding environment.
Maze invented threaded nails
In 1930, Maze engineers realized that smooth shank nails can back out in certain situations. They experimented with deforming the nail shanks – and were soon the inventors of spiral shank nails. It was just a few years later that the Independent Nail division of Maze Co. brought ring shank nails to market. So now there was simply no excuse for using nails that didn’t hold super-tight in high wind environments!
Galvanizing: The Maze STORMGUARD® Way
For generations, Maze has relied on a proven process that industry experts recognize as the most effective method of protecting steel nails: hot-dip galvanizing.
In this process, nails are completely immersed in a vat of molten zinc, much like potatoes being submerged in hot oil during the french-frying process. This treatment does far more than create a surface coating. The hot-dipping process forms an outer layer of pure zinc while simultaneously creating a durable inner layer of zinc-steel alloy that bonds tightly to the nail itself. The result is exceptional corrosion protection that significantly outperforms the thin coatings typically found on electro-galvanized products.
Maze STORMGUARD® nails go even further. After the initial galvanizing process, each nail receives a second dip in protective molten zinc. This exclusive DOUBLE DIPPING helps eliminate pinholes and coating imperfections while increasing the amount of zinc applied to every nail. The added protection creates a more uniform barrier against rust and environmental damage.
Equally important, the entire process is performed using fully automated equipment. This ensures a heavy, consistent coating on every nail while maintaining clean threads and surfaces that provide maximum holding power and easier driving during installation.
Proven Through Decades of Performance
Laboratory testing is valuable, but nothing compares to real-world performance. Maze STORMGUARD® nails have successfully passed the ultimate test: over 100 years of field service. Their long history of dependable performance has earned a reputation unmatched by other zinc-coated nail producers.
Post Frame Builders and contractors continue to choose STORMGUARD® nails because they deliver what modern construction demands—durability, reliability, and long-term protection. Whether used for roofing, metal siding, trim, decking, or other exterior applications, these nails are specifically engineered to provide secure fastening and superior resistance to the elements.
The lesson is simple. When storms strike, shortcuts can become costly mistakes. Choosing the right fasteners is a small investment that can make a significant difference in the longevity and performance of a structure.
It’s no surprise that builders and contractors across the country continue to say that STORMGUARD® nails are among the finest steel-based nails on the market—economical, easy to drive, hold nice and tight – and are purpose-built for today’s demanding construction applications. And – very proudly Made in America.
