Nails and screws are used to hold together everything from wooden house frames to roof tiles to outdoor decking to kitchen cabinetry. That being said, when to choose one over the other isn’t always clear-cut. If you're not sure which is right for your framing project, you're not alone. In fact, even professionals at times find themselves wondering whether to nail it or screw it!
The question at hand today is whether nails are better
than screws for framing. In order to come up with an answer, let's look at a
few factors.
Are Framing Nails Better Than Screws?
#1 Consider the size of your project. Nails
are often preferred for large projects, like house framing, because they are
typically stronger and less expensive than screws. Since most nails have smooth
heads and shanks, they drive easily and speedily with a hammer or nail gun.
Manual screwdrivers require more effort because they use twisting force rather
than the blunt force of hammers or nail guns. If you buy coil nails and a
high-quality coil nailer
gun, you're good to go!
#2 You need flexibility. You may think the
opposite is true, but we'll explain further. Nails are often preferred for
structural joining, including framing walls, because they are more flexible
under pressure. On the other hand, screws can snap. Nails are often a first
choice for framing, construction, and carpentry. Box nails have a thinner
shank, which can prevent wood from splitting when hammered in. This makes them
ideal for installing clapboard siding. Brad and finishing nails are great for
detail work like securing molding, door jambs, and baseboards. If you use a
fastener that isn't flexible, it could snap instead.
Order Framing Nails Online
Nails are still the fastener of choice for many jobs both small
and large thanks to the speed and ease of use. Nails are less brittle, so they
provide greater shear strength. They may bend under pressure, but they seldom
snap. That is one reason nails are popular for general carpentry jobs, such as
framing walls.
If you’re framing new
construction, anything from a simple backyard deck to an entire house, you
need the right fasteners for the job. Our website has anything and everything
you could possibly need!