Galvanized bolts are just like any other bolt but they are reinforced with an electrochemical process called galvanization. This process makes a bolt stronger, able to withstand the harshest weather conditions, especially for bolts used in marine applications to avoid corrosion. Bolts are electrodeposited with a thin layer of an alloy made from steel to prevent rusting. Some bolts of this type are applied with a protective metallic coating on their shafts; these bolts are called hot dip galvanized. The only difference is that these bolts do not undergo the same electrochemical disposition that a regular galvanized bolt undergoes.
Galvanized bolts as the name implies are made through the process of galvanization. This term originally refers to the administration of electric shocks in the 19th century. It was Luigi Galvani's idea, hence the name, to affect matter by electric shock which was later used in psychiatry through ECT. The term was later on used to refer to electrodeposition which is what happens during galvanization, or simply, zinc coating. So bolts are protected by a coating of steel alloy or iron with zinc. This is primarily done to avoid galvanic corrosion, or simply rusting of the bolt.
So galvanized bolts are simply bolts that are metal protected to resist corrosion through zinc. Zinc is usually consumed by rust first as a sacrificial anode so it does not get to the exposed steel of the bolt. Simply painting a bolt with zinc is useless if not galvanized. The reason is because hot zinc coating produces a thicker, much durable coating that a simple paint coating does not achieve. Electroplating on the other hand only produces a thin layer of zinc which makes a bolt nice and shiny. Bolts which are hot dip galvanized tend to have a grayer surface.
Therefore electroplating is not as effective as it gets quickly consumed by rust, making it unsuitable for outdoor use. Electroplated nails are good examples of these. Hot dip galvanized bolts on the other hand are best suited for outdoor applications. Electroplating though is common among nails and bolts as they are much cheaper to do and manufacture, and does provide some level of resistance to rust if not used outdoors. Add to the fact that these bolts look nice and shiny when new so most people tend to use them for their home needs. Hot dip galvanized bolts also have some downsides.
They normally use up too much of the bolts' threads which in turn reduces strength for fastening, and are therefore not advisable for use in bikes, cars and other similar mechanical equipments. Another reason why some people prefer electroplated bolts as opposed to galvanized bolts is because the former blends well with steel so they are virtually indistinguishable. These types of bolts are slightly attracted to magnets. So galvanized bolts owe their reinforcement to zinc coatings. Zinc coatings prevent corrosion by forming a barrier for the bolts. Zinc reacts to the atmosphere, creating zinc oxide which further protects these types of bolts.
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