Fastener Selection

CHOOSING FASTENERS The choice of a fastener is dependent on: design requirements the environment in which the fastener will be used

CONSIDERATIONS Various aspects of the fastener must be considered: function of the fastener operating environment of the fastener type of loading on the fastener in service thickness of materials to be joined type of materials to be joined configuration of the joint to be fastened

NAILS vs. SCREWS Surprisingly, there are a wider variety of nails for exterior use than screws, whether it's for decking, fencing, siding, roofing or outdoor furniture. In this image, notice the twisted shank of a galvanized deck/fencing nail. This variety offers the increased holding strength of a screw with the value of a nail.

DECK SCREWS Time and weather take their toll, which makes your choice of fasteners for exterior projects very important. Deck screws are standard when it comes to outdoor projects. They are specially coated to resist corrosion and come in a large range of sizes, They are also less expensive than stainless steel screws and aren't prone to head stripping

DECK SCREWS vs. LAG SCREWS deck screws are clearly designed for use in deck construction, specifically for attaching deck boards, but their use extends well beyond to other projects such as outdoor furniture. For heavy-duty construction such as deck support, pergolas, arbors, treehouses and wood swingsets, use lag screws. They come in galvanized or stainless.

NAILS Nails (and brads) are good for basic construction (building a box) and when adhesives are used. For outdoor applications, use stainless or galvanized brads or nails. Brads or finish nails are best for attaching trim and molding and for furniture assembly. They are identified by their smaller heads versus a prototypical nail. Why? The smaller heads are driven below a surface and can be concealed by wood filler.

BRADS Brad nails are very often used in pneumatic nailers and come bundled in clips rather than loose. A variety of sizes are available.

SCREWS Screws work best when forces will be applied in multiple directions such as against a joint, or if extra weight will be applied, such as a bookshelf. Use screws if you don’t plan on using additional adhesives. If you are building a simple shelf or bookcase, you can use glue and nails, but you'll feel much more secure about it if it fastened with screws. The threads of a screw grip and “bite” into the wood to make a joint stronger