Nail Guide: Nail Types, Materials & Finishes

29 Jul.,2024

 

Nail Guide: Nail Types, Materials & Finishes

The nail material and finish help determine what projects you can use a nail on. Steel is the most common material, but it's vulnerable to corrosion. Steel nails that'll contact moisture or be used in pressure-treated wood need a corrosion-resistant coating or plating.

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  • Bright nails are untreated steel, suitable for interior use.
  • Black phosphate is a coating for indoor applications. It works well for drywall nails because the coating creates good adhesion with paint and drywall mud. Black phosphate gives nails a gray or black appearance.
  • Zinc-plated nails have some corrosion resistance, but standard zinc plating is thin and best for indoor applications. Zinc plating adds a silvery or gold tint.
  • Hot-dipped galvanized nails work for outdoor use due to a thicker zinc coating. The finish adds a flat, gray color. Hot-dipped galvanized nails are suitable for pressure-treated lumber &#; which can corrode unprotected steel &#; but don't work well for some wood species such as cedar and redwood. The coating reacts with oils in the lumber and can cause staining. 

Other finishes include paint and decorative brass, bronze and nickel plating, all best for indoor applications. Vinyl coating and coatings on fasteners for nailers make them easier to drive and act as adhesives to increase the holding strength.

Why Nails Are the Preferred Fastener in Construction

Nails and screws are the two most common types of fasteners. As you may know, the main difference between them is that the nails have a smooth shaft, whereas screws have a threaded shaft. The presence of exterior threading allows screws to create a stronger and more secure hold when joining two or more objects. Even with their increased security, though, nails are the preferred fastener in the construction industry. So, why do construction and carpentry workers typically use nails instead of screws?

Less Expensive

For starters, nails are less expensive than screws. While the number varies, it&#;s not uncommon for two-story residential homes to contain over 10,000 nails. Screws cost significantly more than mails, however. As a result, construction companies can save money by using nails. This is just one of several reasons why nails are the preferred fastener in the construction industry.

Increased Strength

Screws are, in fact, able to create a more secure hold when joining objects than nails because they have a threaded shaft. With that said, nails offer greater tensile strength. Screws are more brittle than nails. The exterior threading results in areas of thin metal that can easily break when exposed to stress or pressure. Nails don&#;t have a threaded shaft, so they aren&#;t as brittle as screws. And in turn, they offer greater tensile strength, making them desirable for construction and carpentry applications.

For more uses of nails in constructioninformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Easier to Install

Another reason nails are the preferred fastener in the construction industry is because they are easier to install. There are power tools available that can quickly and efficiently install both nails and screws. Nails, however, typically require less time to install. With the exception of self-tapping screws, most screws require the use of a pilot hole. Before a construction or carpentry worker installs a screw, he or she must first drill a pilot hole. Nails don&#;t require a pilot hole and, instead, can be driven directly into the respective objects.

Furthermore, construction and carpentry workers can install nails with or without a power tool. All it takes to drive a nail into two or more objects is a hammer. To install a screw, on the other hand, a drill must be used.

Easier to Remove

Not only are they easier to install than screws, but nails are also easier to remove. If a building component needs replacing, a worker can easily remove a nail using a hammer or similar tool. To remove a screw, construction and carpentry workers must use a screwdriver, which generally requires more time and energy.

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