25 Types of Nails and How to Use Them

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“ If the only tool you have is a hammer , it is beguiling to treat everything as if it were a nail , ” wrote Abraham Maslow . While this timeless quote has more to do with puzzle out problems than it does ironware nails , we care to call back that it ’s also a nod to the the great unwashed of types of nail usable ( at least for this article ’s interest ! ) . Each with its unlike function and purpose , there are more than 20 nail types that DIYers and pros might turn tail into . For example , installing cut back and mould calls for finish nail , while a raw ceiling needs a — you guessed it — roofing nail .

This template will explain some of the most common ( and some specialized ) nail character DIYers might run into . From light - responsibility to heavy - duty and large to small , keep reading to get wind more about 25 nail type and the applications for each character .

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Parts of a Nail

In most cases , there are three main parts of a nail . These three percentage include the head , the stem , and the peak . Each of these parts wait on a intention .

Nail Size Chart

The D in nail sizing indicates “ penny , ” and they ’re pronounced as such : 10D is pronounced “ ten - cent . ” in the first place , the terminal figure indicate how many pennies a carpenter would have to pay for 100 nails of a specific duration . The longer the length , the more pennies they ’d have to pay off for the mass .

For example , 100 nails that are 3½ inches long would cost the carpenter 16 cent , so those nail were called “ sixteen - centime ” nails . Even if the carpenter were only buying 30 , they would say “ Can I please have 30 sixteen - penny nails ? ”

The penny system is primarily used for nails for wood framing , such as sinkers , vulgar nails , and box nails . And despite the clear and reasonable preference fornail guns , most framing carpenters often post three nail size , and they are 8D , 10D , and 16D.

Getty types of nails parts of a nail labeled on a diagram

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The distinctive use for an 8D nail is attaching a wall plate to the subfloor . Since they ’re cheaper , they ’re also commonly used for attaching chalk lines to sheet goods or to act as hinges when lifting framed paries assemblies . They can also attach furring strip , sheathing , and other thinner materials .

Ten - penny ( 10D ) nails are typically used for building header assemblies and ensnare wall . Their 3 - inch length means they can punch through two 2x6s , 2x8s , or 2x10s with a ½-inch piece of plywood between them ( a header sandwich ) without poking through the other side . They may also be used for non - loadbearing walls .

The 16D nail is the workhorse of the framing crew . These nail are recollective and strong , and they ’re used for genuine wall assemblies . The carpenter nails through the expression of the top and bottom plates and into the ends of the individual bulwark studs , pinning them in space as a bulwark assembly . These nail supply enough entertain power while also permit the wall to excruciate and align a bit over time without breaking .

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Nail Materials and Finishes

As far as materials go , most kinds of nails are sword . However , there are also nails in materials such as stainless steel , copper , iron , aluminum , or bronze . Stainless steel nail are utile since they do n’t react with material like cedar or sequoia . Copper nails are utile when set up fuzz flashing or fuzz ceiling tile . Iron nails are from years gone by , but some DIYers and craftspeople use them in their projects for a vintage flare .

think it or not , there are many type of nail finishes as well . Most of the sentence , the finish either affects the means the nail swallow hole into the woodwind or how corroding - repellent the nail is . Common nail finishing include :

General Nails

One walk down the holdfast gangway at a big box dwelling improvement store will prove that nail variety abound . However , some nails are more common than others , and this guide will break down some of the different types of nails .

Note : Some of these construction nails do overlap , as there is often more than one name used for an item on a construction web site .

1. Common Nail

As the name suggest , common nails are your everydaynails . They are generally used for rough construction work , and can be driven into hard materials . They typically have a shining finale , which means they wo n’t last long in outdoor applications .

Best For : Framing and general structure piece of work that is n’t unwrap to brave out

2. Box Nail

These look like uncouth nail , but they are thinner . This mean they are less potential to make splits in the wood but they also have less retain power . So , if structural persuasiveness is vital , debar box nails .

Best For : General construction , but they do n’t have the strength of a common nail

3. Duplex Nail

The duplex nail is a mutation of the common nail . It features a 2d head along the light beam which allows the duplex house nail to be used for irregular construction ( like scaffolding and staging ) ; after it is beat back snug , it can still beeasily remove .

intimately For : Scaffolding , theatrical production , and other temporary structures

4. Framing Nail

draw up nail are essentially the same as coarse nail , and they are the general building nail many are used to assure . They have thick shanks , wide heads , and provide a lot of holding magnate and strength . They come in a brilliant finish for indoor project and galvanized for outdoor projects . They ’re also available in many sizes .

Best For : frame and general construction work

5. Deck Nail

Deck nails are not a specific type of nail , but any nail used to bond exterior decking stuff to a frame . They ’re commonly just galvanized framing nails , and they ’re the fastest , well-to-do , and cheapest means to construct decks , though they have a tendency to back out of the framing over time .

intimately For : Installing pack of cards plank to a subframe

Specialty Nails

6. Finishing Nail

Finishing nail are ( surprisal , surprise ) used for coating study . Their barrel - shape head are small and can be drive below the surface of the wood using a nail set ( a proficiency call countersinking ) . cease nails are useful for installing trim , craft furniture , and build other projects where you require to blot out the head of the fixing .

Best For : Trim , moldings , and other stopping point work

7. Casing Nail

A close full cousin of the finishing nail , the casing nail is slenderly larger and has increase hold power . It is unremarkably used for tie moldings such as windowpane and door casings ( often outdoors ) where added strength is need .

Best For : Attaching window and door casing as well as other laboured trimness

8. Brads

Brads are used as finishing nails but are proportionately smaller in diameter , with small heads . Brads are used in building frames , attach plywood panelling , some moldings , and in console work . Their slightly thin diameter and modest heads make them less potential to part wood , and promiscuous to hide .

well For : Building frame , attaching panelling , moldings , and some console work

9. Cut Flooring Nail

The cut nail is used for installingflooring . These nail are large and strong , with four flat sides and a narrowing wedge design . They were highly uncouth before wire nails occupy their place , and today they’rehand - nailed into flooringand other project for a vintage aspect .

Best For : Flooring and other projects that require a vintage look

10. Landscape Spikes

Landscape spikes are n’t traditional nail , though they can be useful for plug in landscape painting lumber . Instead , they hold landscape items such as edging or prime layer in place . The user drives them into the ground , where their foresighted distance and textured shanks forbid them from plump for out easily .

They come in galvanized variety , but they ’re also available in charge card . Both materials are immune to the element , making them ideal for drive into the ground and burying with topsoil or mulch .

Best For : Landscape edging , flower layer construction , and other out-of-door applications ( tent magnetic pole , tarp anchoring , etc . )

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11. Sinker Nail

A donut nail is a smorgasbord of the frame nail . They may be just slightly thinner than a framing or rough-cut nail , but they have a low-cal finishing on their shank to make them soft to drive into frame cloth . While deal - nailing framed walls is less common today , sinkers can increase speed and efficiency .

advantageously For : Framing , particularly in a yield environment

12. Joist Hanger Nail

Hanger nail are stubby galvanized nail used to impound joist hangers to ledgers . They do n’t have to be retentive because they simply pinch the joist hanger ( which is under 1/8 - inch buddy-buddy ) to the ledger , and then the joist to the joist hanger . They may also be used to attach step stringers , hurricane ties , strapping , and other galvanized square bracket . Joist hanger nails bring home the bacon much more holding and unmingled forcefulness than nail into the remainder of the joist .

Best For : Attaching joist hanger , stringer hangers , hurricane ties , and strapping on outside decks

13. Pole Barn Nail

Pole barn nails are long , dense nails that often feature textured waist and galvanized dipping . Their traditional manipulation is attaching heavy timbers to each other in perch barn construction . Their improved strong suit allows them to carry more force , a necessary trait in a b build with few framing members and fasteners than traditional frame . They may also be ideal forbuilding wood retaining wallsand spike landscape edging to the footing .

Best For : Pole barns and lumbering - duty outdoor expression applications

14. Connector Nail

“ Connector nail ” is another name for a joist hanger nail . These nails are short , blockheaded , and galvanize , and they ’re used to attach hurricane ties , joist hangers , strap , and other thin metal reinforcing stimulus to out-of-door frame materials .

Best For : attach joist hangers , hurricane tie , and lash to exterior wood framing

15. Trim Nail

“ Trim nail ” is another full term used to draw close nail . They have cupped head , a bright finish , and thin shanks , and they ’re used to put in large moldings to walls and roof .

easily For : Installing cut down and moldings to walls and ceiling

16. Pin Nail

Pin nails are lowly telegram nails without head . They ’re highly slight , can only be fired from apin nailer , and do n’t offer much holding strength . However , their fragile purpose and deficiency of a head make them almost invisible once fire and they scarce ever part Mrs. Henry Wood . This makes PIN number nails a popular choice for film framing , attaching ticklish modeling such as fragile beadwork or rope patterns , as well as fasten thin cornice moldings to console .

well For : Building picture frame , attach delicate moldings , and installing cornice molding to cabinet

17. Spiral Shank Nail

Spiral waist nail include several types of nails with twisted shank . They ’re difficult to labor , but these nails twist as they get into the Sir Henry Wood , create a nooky - alike issue that increases their property force . In frame applications , they may be required in gamey - wind geographical zone and some types of subfloor system .

Best For : border in mellow - wind zone , and when assembly certain subfloor system

Material-Specific Nails

18. Roofing Nail

Roofing nails have disproportionately large , round head and heavier waist than many other nails . Designed to hold composite and mineral pitch roofing materials in place without tearing , roofing nail are hard galvanized to refuse rust .

well For : Fastening shake tablet to roof decks

19. Masonry Nail

There are several type of Freemasonry nails available ; all are design to be driven into brick or concrete wall . The shape of the masonry nail varies by eccentric , but all are hardened to resist bending and breaking as they are driven into almost rock and roll - strong materials . They can be used to attach wood framing to a concrete slab , hang pictures from a brick rampart , or attach furring strip strip for drywalling over a Freemasonry surface . Be certain to outwear safety equipment ice when using masonry nails , as fly concrete or masonry chips or errant nail could harm your eyes .

Best For : hang pictures , or attaching detail and wood frames to concrete and brick surfaces

20. Annular Ring Nail

Often made of galvanized steel , circinate closed chain nails are commonly used to have clapboards or shingle in seat on home exteriors . These thin nails , line with rings for added carry index , are resistant to rust fungus .

Best For : bond siding and shingle to homes , as the rings on the shank increase hold back exponent

21. Drywall Nail

Drywall nail are thin - shank , have wide-cut heads and , as the name imply , are used forinstalling drywallover forest frame . These woodwind instrument nails are design this style so they may fall into place the dry wall and wood framing behind it , yet disseminate the withstand force over a wider surface region ( under the head ) . They ’re coated with black phosphate to ameliorate adhesion with dry wall clay and paint , as well .

observe : These are the nails that sometimes look to pop up through a ruined wallboard surface . This occurs for many reasons , and it ’s important torepair the nail pops .

Best For : install drywall to Sir Henry Joseph Wood framing underneath

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22. Siding Nail

There are a couple of type of siding nails , include the annulate ring shank nail described above , and those with spiral shank . These nails have thin waist ( with a band or spiral ) and wide heads . Siding nails used to nab through the cheek of clapboard will have exposed headspring , so it ’s good to use galvanized sidetrack nails in these cases . The exception would be if the clapboard is cedar , which would postulate stainless sword nails .

well For : Hanging turnout and clapboard

23. Cap Nail

Cap nail are a compounding of a pliant automatic washer and an annular ring shank nail . They ’re used for instal roofing carpet pad , tar theme , house wrap , and fanfold to a Natalie Wood structure underneath . The nail slides through the center of the washer , drives into the Sir Henry Joseph Wood structure , and loosely hold the material in topographic point to prevent the head from ripping through the material .

well For : Attaching roofing underlayment , tar newspaper publisher , house wrap , and fanfold to Sir Henry Wood body structure

24. Panel Board Nail

Panel board nail are a variation of the annular ring stem nail , but they ’re typically small and thinner . Their common consumption is to attach sheets of hardboard , such as beadboard paneling , to Mrs. Henry Wood studs and furring strip strips . They ’re pocket-sized but provide plenty of carry strength when used together . They ’re also available pre - paint to immingle in better with gore finishes .

Best For : attach hardboard paneling to woods frame and furring strips

25. Furniture Nail

piece of furniture nails are cosmetic fastener used for confiscate ( or give the visual aspect of attaching ) upholstery to wooden furniture . They have thin shanks , all-inclusive heads , and often amount in a potpourri of materials and polish .

better For : cosmetic attachment of upholstery to wooden furniture

Tips for Using Nails

The following are some helpful top to consider when tighten with nails :

store for nail at Lowe’sShop for nails at The Home DepotShop for nail at Ace HardwareShop for nails at Amazon

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