Nails are available in different sizes and shaft configurations to maximize their holding power in different applications. The shaft configuration, strength, and nail size you need will depend on the project at hand. The wrong size or type for the job can result in a weak connection and/or damage to the wood. Here’s what you need to know about nail sizes and types.
Types of Metals for Nails
Nails can be made from a variety of metals, including ordinary steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, or aluminum. Or, nails can be galvanized or plated with zinc or another metal. Most construction nails are steel, often with some kind of surface coating. Many construction nails are coated with a thin layer of vinyl, which acts as a lubricant when driving the nail. Nails can also be coated with phosphate to improve their holding power. A nail that is uncoated in any way is often called a “bright” nail. Nails intended for outdoor use are often galvanized or “hot-dipped” with a coating of zinc to improve their weather-resistance. Stainless steel is also used for outdoor applications, though stainless steel nails are considerably more expensive than zinc-plated nails. With pressure-treated lumber, it is essential that you use hot-dipped nails to prevent the corrosion caused by the chemicals used in the lumber.
What Nail Sizes Mean
You’ve probably heard of nail sizes referred to as 10d, 16d, and so on. The number and “d” suffix are called the “Penny” system. The English penny used to be designated with a “d” representing the first letter of the Roman coin denarius. Originally, the penny number referred to the cost for 100 nails of a particular size. An 8d nail, for example, cost 8 pennies for 100. Today, the penny system refers specifically to nail length. A 2d nail is 1 inch long, for example, while a 16d nail is 3 1/2 inches long. Each higher number in the penny system represents a 1/4-inch length increase, up to a 12d nail (3 1/4 inches long). After the 12d nail, the penny system does not have a clearly defined relationship to length.
8 Types of Nails
A special type of common nail is the sinker, which has a slightly narrower shank and a special head designed to be sunk flush with the surface of the wood. A casing nail essentially is a large finishing nail. It is often used in exterior applications, such as for installing exterior trim boards and for nailing door frames and trim. They are commonly galvanized for corrosion-resistance. The nail head of a casing nail is tapered and may be set flush or just below the wood surface.
