What Are Some Common Types Of Nails?

By Author: Fastener USA
Total Articles: 3
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There are actually more than two dozen different kinds of nails. They all do essentially the same task. What's the difference, then? They differ in what they were made to hold together, what they're made from, and how long they're made to last- to name a few. Some nails are very strong, like masonry nails. Some nails are very tiny, like finishing nails. Some nails are needed to hold up to anything and everything, like galvanized roofing nails. Here are some of the most commonly-used types of nails:

Round head nail- Also known as a "common nail," these are the most widely-used type of nail for joining timber and other elements, particularly where a rougher finish is acceptable. It is good practice to use nails that are at least three times longer than the depth of the thinner material that is being nailed.

Roof sheathing nails- Building a roof is important work! These have larger heads and are often used for nailing shingles, attaching asphalt and other roofing purposes. Builders generally use 8D roof sheathing nails, which are approximately 2 ½ inches long and 131/1000 ...
... inch wide in diameter. The nails should be spaced no more than 6 inches apart and attached 3/8 inch from the sheathing panel ends and edges.

Finishing nails- Some nails need to be very small, like to build a picture frame. These are finishing nails. They have very small heads, even when compared to how small their length and diameter is. They are often used in furniture and decorative pieces.

Casing Nail- Casing nails are very similar to finishing nails but are a little larger and thicker. This gives them a little more holding power and the ability to be attached to moldings, such as door and window casings, or in other projects that require a little extra hold.

Masonry nails- While many nails are designed to be used on wood, these are not. Masonry nails are harder and thicker nails with small heads. They are often made of hardened zinc which is stronger than other materials. Zinc means they can be driven into masonry surfaces effectively. They are often used to attach timber to stone or brick.

Double-headed nails- Sometimes you want a nail to last for years to come and other times, you need it to hold something in place temporarily. Double-headed nails were designed specifically for this last purpose. They are often used to secure scaffolding and other temporary structures in place. They have two heads, one above the other. They are driven in as far as the first head, while the top head remains above the surface, making the nail very easy to remove when the time comes to do so.

As many as this is, this list is only the beginning! There's also brad nails, cut flooring nails, and so much more. If you need a nail for an upcoming project and aren't sure which kind, the best thing to do is to research these nails until you find the perfect perfect- quite literally!