Complete Guide to Nails

Common Nails

Features: Large flat head, thick shank, smooth or ring shank

• Strongest nail type for structural work
• Wide head prevents pull-through
• Available in bright, galvanized, or coated
• Sizes: 6d to 60d (2" to 6" long)

Best For: Framing, general construction, rough carpentry, sheathing

Box Nails

Features: Similar to common but thinner shank, large head

• Thinner shank reduces wood splitting
• Nearly same holding power as common
• Easier to drive than common nails
• Sizes: 6d to 40d (2" to 5" long)

Best For: Light framing, thin boards, boxes, crates, avoiding splits

Sinker Nails

Features: Thinner than common, smaller head, textured shank, coated

• Most popular framing nail for nail guns
• Coating reduces friction for easier driving
• Countersinks slightly below surface
• Textured/ring shank for better grip

Best For: Pneumatic framing, subflooring, sheathing, general construction

Duplex/Scaffold Nails

Features: Double-headed design for easy removal

• Lower head stops nail at surface level
• Upper head allows easy removal with claw
• Designed for temporary construction
• Sizes: 6d to 16d

Best For: Temporary structures, scaffolding, formwork, bracing

Finish Nails

Features: Small head, barrel-shaped shank, easily concealed

• Small head for minimal visibility
• Can be set below surface and filled
• Thinner than common nails
• Sizes: 4d to 20d (1-1/2" to 4")

Best For: Interior trim, molding, cabinetry, furniture assembly

Brad Nails

Features: Very thin gauge (18ga), small head, minimal holding power

• Smallest head leaves tiny hole
• Won't split delicate trim or thin wood
• Used with brad nailers only
• Lengths: 5/8" to 2"

Best For: Delicate trim, thin moldings, craft projects, temporary holding

Casing Nails

Features: Conical head slightly larger than finish nails

• Tapered head provides more holding power
• Larger diameter than finish nails
• Better for hardwoods and denser materials
• Sizes: 4d to 16d

Best For: Window/door casing, heavy trim, hardwood applications

Headless Pins (23ga)

Features: Nearly invisible, extremely thin, minimal holding power

• Virtually invisible after installation
• Perfect for delicate work
• No filling or touch-up needed
• Lengths: 1/2" to 2"

Best For: Fine trim, veneers, small moldings, picture frames

Roofing Nails

Features: Large flat head, short shank, galvanized or rubber washer

• Wide head prevents shingle tear-through
• Hot-dip galvanized for weather resistance
• Available with rubber washers
• Smooth or ring shank options

Best For: Asphalt shingles, felt paper, roof sheathing, underlayment

Siding Nails

Features: Ring or spiral shank, small head, rust-resistant coating

• Ring shank prevents backing out
• Small head for appearance
• Hot-dip galvanized or stainless
• Available in colors to match siding

Best For: Wood siding, fiber cement, shakes, exterior trim

Concrete/Masonry Nails

Features: Hardened steel, fluted shank, blunt or sharp point

• Heat-treated for extreme hardness
• Flutes grip concrete and prevent spin-out
• Can be driven with hammer
• Lengths: 3/4" to 4"

Best For: Attaching wood to concrete, block, masonry, foundations

Cut Nails

Features: Square tapered shank, wedge shape, traditional style

• Historical appearance for restoration
• Excellent holding power - wedge action
• Less likely to split than round nails
• Used in timber framing

Best For: Flooring, historical restoration, timber frames, antique projects

Coil Roofing/Siding Nails

Features: Wire-collated in coil form, for pneumatic nailers

• High-capacity coils (120-300 nails)
• Faster installation than hand nailing
• Ring or smooth shank available
• Galvanized or stainless options

Best For: Large roofing/siding jobs, production work, contractors

Decking Nails

Features: Ring shank, countersinking head, rust-resistant

• Ring shank prevents nail pop in treated lumber
• Countersinking head sits flush
• Hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel
• Resists tannic acid in treated wood

Best For: Pressure-treated decks, outdoor structures, marine applications

Bright Steel (Uncoated)

Features: Basic carbon steel with no coating

• Most economical option
• No rust protection
• Silver/gray appearance
• Will rust when exposed to moisture

Best For: Interior use only, temporary construction, dry environments

Electro-Galvanized (EG)

Features: Thin zinc coating applied electrically

• Light rust protection
• Shiny silver appearance
• Good for interior or light exterior
• Less protection than hot-dip

Best For: Interior exposed areas, light exterior use, economical protection

Hot-Dip Galvanized (HDG)

Features: Thick zinc coating applied by immersion

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Dull gray appearance with coating texture
• 3-4x thicker than electro-galvanized
• Most common for exterior nails

Best For: Exterior siding, roofing, decking, treated lumber, coastal areas

Stainless Steel (304/316)

Features: Corrosion-resistant alloy, no coating needed

• Superior corrosion resistance
• Won't rust or corrode
• 316 for marine/harsh environments
• More expensive than coated steel

Best For: Marine, coastal, treated lumber, high-corrosion areas, food service

Aluminum

Features: Lightweight, naturally corrosion-resistant

• Won't rust or cause staining
• Softer - easier to bend or break
• Good for cedar and redwood (no staining)
• Limited structural strength

Best For: Cedar, redwood, aluminum siding, non-structural applications

Copper

Features: Premium material for specialty applications

• Excellent corrosion resistance
• Attractive weathering patina
• Won't stain wood
• Most expensive option

Best For: Cedar roofs, slate roofing, historic restoration, premium work

Vinyl/Plastic Coated

• Reduces driving friction by 30-40%
• Easier to drive, less splitting
• Various colors available
• Common on sinker and collated nails

Cement Coated

• Resin coating melts from friction heat
• Hardens after driving for better grip
• Increases holding power 20-30%
• Popular for box/crate nails

Paint/Powder Coated

• Matches siding and trim colors
• Provides corrosion protection
• Common in roofing nails
• White, brown, tan, green, etc.

Framing & Structural

Recommended: 16d common or sinker nails (3-1/2")

• Wall framing: 16d common/sinker every 16" o.c.
• Top/bottom plates: Two 16d nails at joints
• Studs to plates: Two 16d toe-nailed each side
• Sheathing: 8d common/sinker, 6" edges, 12" field
• Subflooring: 10d ring shank, 6" edges, 10" field

Roofing

Recommended: 1-1/4" to 2" galvanized roofing nails

• Asphalt shingles: 1-1/4" with large head, 4 per shingle
• Felt underlayment: 1" roofing nails with caps
• Wood shingles: 1-1/2" to 2" galvanized or stainless
• Metal roofing: Self-drilling screws with washers (not nails)
• Roof sheathing: 8d common or ring shank

Siding

Recommended: Ring shank siding nails, HDG or stainless

• Wood siding: 2" to 2-1/2" ring shank, HDG
• Fiber cement: 2" to 2-1/2" siding nails, hot-dip galvanized
• Lap siding: Nail 1" above bottom edge, 16" o.c.
• T&G siding: Blind nail through tongue
• Cedar/redwood: Stainless or aluminum to prevent staining

Interior Trim & Molding

Recommended: 4d to 8d finish nails or 18ga brads

• Baseboard: 6d or 8d finish nails
• Crown molding: 6d finish nails, angled into studs/joists
• Door/window casing: 6d casing or finish nails
• Quarter round: 4d finish or 1-1/4" brad nails
• Delicate trim: 18ga brad nails, 1" to 1-1/2"

Hardwood Flooring

Recommended: Flooring cleats or cut nails

• Tongue & groove: 2" flooring cleats, blind nailed
• Wide planks: Face nail with cut nails for appearance
• Nail angle: 45° through tongue
• Spacing: Every 8"-10" along length
• End joints: Within 1"-3" of board ends

Decking

Recommended: 3" ring shank, HDG or stainless

• Treated lumber: HDG or stainless only
• Spacing: Two nails per joist, 1" from edge
• Composite: Use manufacturer-specified fasteners
• Hardwoods (Ipe, etc.): Pre-drill and use stainless
• Fascia boards: 2-1/2" ring shank siding nails

Concrete & Masonry

Recommended: Hardened concrete nails or masonry nails

• Light duty: 1" to 1-1/2" hardened concrete nails
• Furring strips: 2-1/2" fluted masonry nails
• Driving: Wear safety glasses, use heavy hammer
• Alternative: Consider powder-actuated system
• Masonry block: Nail into mortar joints when possible

Fencing

Recommended: 2-1/2" to 3-1/2" ring shank, HDG

• Pickets: 2-1/2" ring shank into rails
• Rails to posts: 16d common or 3-1/2" ring shank
• Treated lumber: Hot-dip galvanized or stainless only
• Cedar fence: Stainless or aluminum prevents staining
• Metal fastening: Two nails per connection point

Preventing Splits

• Use box nails instead of common nails
• Pre-drill hardwoods and near board ends
• Keep nails 3/4" from edges, 2" from ends
• Blunt nail point slightly to crush fibers
• Use smaller gauge nails in thin materials

Proper Driving Technique

• Hold nail perpendicular to surface
• Start with light taps to set nail
• Drive with firm, controlled strokes
• Avoid overdriving - damages wood
• For finish nails, set below surface with nail set

Maximizing Holding Power

• Drive nails at slight angle (dovetail)
• Alternate nail angles in each joint
• Use ring shank for maximum grip
• Ensure adequate penetration (2/3 minimum)
• Clinch nails for permanent connections