Nails

Types Of Nails

Nails are hardware items extensively used across diverse industries. These small, pointed metal shafts are employed to carry out fixing, joining, and assembling different materials, including wood, metal, concrete, and even walls, second only to screws and rivets. There are varied types of nails and each has a specific use based on the application and material to be used.

Those types include:

• Common Nails

  This kind has a relatively thick body and a long length that gives it strength for use in construction work. Common nails usually have a flat head and are tapered to a pointed end.

• Casing Nails

  Casing nails are similar in function to common nails but are used mostly in more visible applications like trim work. Casing nails are slightly thinner than common types but are longer. This allows them to be driven deeper into the wood while still providing adequate strength at the surface.

• Box Nails

  Box nails are thinner than common nails and are therefore used for more delicate jobs like nailing thinner pieces of wood together. Their design helps to reduce splitting on smaller wooden boxes or furniture.

• Siding Nails

  Siding nails are designed specifically for attaching siding to a house. They usually have a large flat head to hold a broad surface area against the siding edge and a ringed or textured shank for better gripping in a wooden frame.

• Finishing Nails

  Finishing nails carry a smaller diameter and a less protruding head than other types of nails in this category. Casing nails look and act similar to finishing nails but are older. Their smaller size and dimpled head make them useful for trim work.

• Roofs

  Roofing nails are specially designed for shingle installation and roof coverings. They have a large, flat head to hold shingles in place and a pointed end to easily penetrate roofing materials and wooden frames.

• Drywall Nails

  Drywall nails are specially designed for attaching gypsum boards or drywall to the wooden studs in wall constructions. They feature a ringed or grooved shank to securely hold the drywall in place and prevent popping off.

• Concrete Nails

  Concrete nails are designed to be hammered into concrete or masonry surfaces. Developed from hardened steel, they carry a thicker, tougher shaft that withstands the dense concrete material without bending or breaking.

Industrial And Commercial Uses Of Nails

Nails are important in industrial and commercial functions because of their versatility, strength and easy accessibility. Below is an analysis of the diverse functions in construction, furniture and packaging industries:

• Construction Sector

  Nails are extensively used by contractors to join wooden beams, metal sheets and concrete structures. In framing, roofing, siding and flooring applications, the correct nail type entails securing structural elements, insulating buildings from the external environment and providing smooth walkable surfaces, respectively. Concrete, finishing, drywall and casing nails are important fasteners that are used every day in commercial construction.

• Furniture Manufacturing

  Carpenters and manufacturers use nails to build and repair furniture such as cabinets, chairs, tables, and shelving units. Box nails are used when needed to fasten light pieces of hardware, whereas ring shank and brad nails are necessary for sturdier constructions or for joining angled surfaces. Finishing tools use finishing nails so that no nail heads are visible after installation. This creates aesthetically pleasing surfaces.

• Pallets, Crates And Boxes

  Nails are extensively used across industries for constructing and repairing pallets, crates, containers, and boxes incorporated into packaging materials. Pallets and crates are essential for transporting goods safely from one place to another. They offer protection to the items during transit and storage. Without such packaging, the items may get damaged as they bounce around in transit.

• Other Commercial Uses

  Other uses of nails include in the manufacturing and installation of fences, doors, windows and roofing materials such as corrugated sheets, metal tiles, etc. They are also used in facade materials such as stucco, plywood and fiber cement boards. Moreover, nails are used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and assembly of HVAC systems, ducting and air vents.

How To Choose Nails

• Nail Material

  Nail material is key for durability and application in specific environments. Common wire nails are developed from low carbon steel, whereas concrete and masonry nails are high-strength steel developed for hard jobs and penetrated into dense substrates. Cement-coated and galvanized nails are developed from steel with zinc or polymer coatings that are corrosion or rust-resistant in high humidity or wet zones.

• Nail Length And Diameter

  It is also necessary to consider what nail length and diameter will work best for the application. This should be based on the materials to be joined. Finishing nails carry a 1"-4" length, whereas common nails are about 2"-5" long. Thinner box nails are suitable for lightweight jobs, while ring shank nails with a bigger diameter work for heavy-duty nailing and require extra holding power.

• Type Of Nail

  Nails differ in type based on the specific application. For instance, framing nails are used during house framing, while roofing nails are used for shingles installation. Drywalling or gypsum wallboards use drywall nails, and finishing carpentry includes casing and finishing nails.

• Surface Finished

  The surface finish of the nail greatly affects its holding strength and corrosion resistance. Ring-shank and screw nails' surface is grooved to enhance gripping in the wood and avoid nail pull-out. Cement-coated nails are tacky to help in wood adhesion to improve nail holding potential in loaded wooden structures.

• Head Type

  The head type is important to nail visibility and ease of driving. Flat-headed nails have a broad surface area that prevents pulling through the material, while brads and finishing nails carry a countersunk head to enable flush finishing so that only the head is driven beneath the surface. This allows space for spackling and painting over to conceal the fasteners.

Maintenance And Repair Of Nails

Nails are so tiny that we often take them for granted. What about the metal fasteners, though? Just like all hardware items, they need some TLC and attention to last longer and keep serving all the functions. Below are the ways and means to maintain and repair these small but vital tools:

• Rust-Proofing

  The life of nails is reduced by corrosion or rust, especially for those in exposed spaces or with high moisture levels. Rust-resistant coatings include galvanization which is a zinc coating and cement coating, among others, as they provide a reliable indefinite corrosion. Galvanization involves dipping or heaping the steel nail in molten zinc to create a thick rough outer surface from the zinc metal. Cement coating is common for box and finish nails and entails bonding cements to nail shafts. This provides a stick surface that temporarily resists moisture penetration.

• Storage And Organization

  Maintaining nails' integrity begins with storing and organizing them properly. They should be kept in dry areas with low humidity not prone to metals' natural enemies. This not only reduces exposure to moisture but makes it easier for one to find the nails when they need them, thus preventing use of substituted ones that may be appropriate.

• Inspection Before Use

  The nails should be examined for rust, bending or any other damages before use. Over time, or with vigorous use, some nails develop bends or cracks. This compromise their structural integrity, displaying a risk of weakening a structure they are supporting or having a collapse of concerning hardware.

• Cleaning

  The nails should be cleaned with a damp rag or wire brush through other means to remove dirt, debris and rust deposits that prevent the nails from driving smoothly. This also promotes good contact with the material and enhanced holding power. Forgetting this step may lead to inconsistent surfaces where the nail has to be installed.

• Repairs

  There are repairs that are related to nails. If an installation has nails that have pulled out, bent, or are about to cause rusting, the repair involves pulling out the old ones and replacing them with new ones. In renovation projects, existing structures held together by old, corroded nails are dismantled, and new ones installed to ensure stability. Other means repair or replace damaged nail only on the specific section where the problem is located.

• Disposal

  Old and worn nails create hazards and should be disposed of properly. Drive them into scrap wood, use a pair of pincers to bend them so they cannot cause injuries, or collect them into a container to render them useless.

Q & A

Q. What nails do I use for framing?

Nail guns and types of nails used in framing include framing nails, which are structural nails used to join large framing members, including beams, joists, and rafters. Concrete and masonry nails are required when nailing into uneven materials such as concrete or masonry.

Q. What types of nails are used in drywalling?

Drywall nails carry a ringed or slotted head developed to hold the drywall in place while preventing it from popping up. It is also_REQUIRED that the nail should be made from a corrosion-resistant material to ensure that it has the same level of integrity over time as that of the wall.

Q. What type of nail is used for siding?

Siding nails have a broader head that prevents pull-through, have a long length for sufficient penetration, and have a ringed shank for gripping. Other features like galvanized nailing provide protection against weather-induced corrosion and rust.

Q. What are roofing nails like?

Roofing nails have a big flat head that holds roofing materials like shingles or metal in place. The head size is enough to prevent driving the nail through the shingle and also keeping it watertight. They are developed from durable steel to support multiple load-bearing capacity exploits and come in varied lengths that suit different roofing materials.