How to Figure Out Which Nails You Should Use for Different Jobs

When you have a DIY job to do, you have to make sure that you have all the right tools available to you before you start. For instance, if you have a roofing project, you will need your copper nails for roofing to hand. But this also means that you have to build an understanding of the different types of tools that are out there.

It would be impossible to discuss all the different tools that are available for all types of construction and DIY jobs. Hence, here, we will look solely at nails. If you have ever been in a hardware store, you will have noticed that nails come in lots of different types, styles, lengths, widths, and materials. Materials include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and brass. Usually, a nail simply has a flattened top, which is what you hit to drive the nail in. The head always remains visible, therefore. Special nails also exist, however.

An Overview of Different Types of Nails

1. Box nails are very similar to regular nails, having a flat head. However, a box nail is much lighter in weight. They are designed for fragile wood, that would split with other types of nails. Box nails are not as strong as others, however.
2. Finish nails have a very small head size. This means that they also end up being much less visible once they are in place. In fact, they are almost invisible.
3. Brads, which is quite similar to the finishing ail. However, it has a round rather than a flat head, and that round head is even smaller than the one found on the finishing nail.
4. Roofing nails are very specific nails, designed specifically to keep shingles in place. They have a very large head and are treated in such a way that they become rust-resistant. Usually, these nails are between one and two inches in length.
5. Coated nails, which have a special resin coating on them that acts as a fixative. These are perfect for those jobs where a strong hold is the most important thing.
6. Coil nails, which are the sturdiest types of fastener of all. They are just as strong as a wood screw, but it is much easier to use since it simply hammers in. These are designed for jobs that are demanding, including cupboards that must be able to hold a heavy weight.
7. The masonry nail, which is made of extra strong steel. They also have cuts in them, giving them more holding power. They have grooves, which means they must be hammered in a perfectly straight line. This will require a heavy duty hammer, such as a sledgehammer, in order for them to be put in place. If they are not straight, then they often break or bend.

It is vital that you choose the right kind of nail when you have a construction project. Without that, all your hard work can be undone straight away.