You love being a DIYer. You have a project coming up and you're excited to get started. Before you can run full speed ahead and get crafty, you need to ensure you have the right tools. This means everything you need to get the job done correctly, right down to the nails or screws. Come to think of it, this is the first decision to get out of the way right in the beginning. Do you need to use nails or screws for your task ahead? We'll help you decide!
When to use Nails
Nails have been around since ancient times, literally thousands of years ago. Even up until fairly recently, nails were preferred over screws because it was much easier and faster to hammer in nails than to use a manual screwdriver. Nails are still the fastener of choice for many jobs both small and large thanks to the speed and ease of using air compressors and nail guns.
Nails are less brittle, so they provide greater shear strength. They may bend under pressure, but they seldom snap. Generally speaking, nails are popular for general carpentry jobs, such as framing walls, securing plywood sheathing, putting down hardwood floors, installing siding, and roofing jobs.
When to use Screws
The advent of the Phillips-head screw in the 1930s changed everything and began the slow movement from hammering nails to driving screws. As electric screwdrivers became more commonplace, the popularity of screws grew exponentially.
Screws have threaded shanks that hold better in wood and draw boards together much more tightly. For this reason, they have greater holding power. Screws also do a better job of holding tight during wood’s natural expansion and contraction. Screws are preferred for hanging drywall,
installing cabinets, fastening wood decking, building any type of woodworking projects, and for any wood-to-wood connection that you may need to take apart.
Nails vs. Screws
When we say the choice between nails vs. screws is yours to make, we mean it! That is because both nails and screws are excellent wood fasteners when they’re sized correctly and installed properly. In many cases, you can use either a nail or a screw for a strong, lasting connection.
When deciding, it's important to know the difference between holding strength and shear strength. Holding strength is the ability of a fastener to draw wood together. Shear strength is the amount of force a fastener can handle from the sides. Many experts recommend screws for holding strength and nails for shear strength. While screws don’t have a lot of shear strength, they do provide a lot of holding strength.
The right choice between nails vs. screws most often comes down to the tool used to drive in the fastener, the dimensions of the wood pieces being fastened together, and whether you’re constructing a house or building a woodworking project. If you have any additional questions, reach out and ask our experts!