Nails to Use for Framing

Wood framing is the most common kind of residential structure and is most often fastened by framing nails. Framing lumber is referred to by its rough-cut thickness and width dimensions in inches, such as two-by-fours or two-by-sixes, but the finished boards are smaller. Framing lumber passes through a planer/shaper, reducing its thickness dimension by half an inch, making a 2-inch-thick rough-cut board actually 1 1/2 inches thick as a finished piece, which is the most common thickness of framing lumber. It is the thickness of lumber that determines the size of framing nail needed. Does this Spark an idea?

16 Penny Commons

The term "common" refers to the profile, or shape, of this type of nail, which comes in different sizes. The name "common" derives from these nails being the most common type used in construction. The term "16 penny" indicates the size of the nail. Originally, nail weights were compared to the weight of pennies, but today such designations indicate length, and a 16 penny nail is 3 1/2 inches long, suitable for nailing material that is 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches thick. That makes these nails appropriate fasteners for the majority of residential framing.

Galvanized

A 16 penny galvanized nail has the same profile as the commons; its only difference is its rust-resistant coating. These nails are galvanized to make them nearly waterproof. Galvanized nails are not required for the framing of interior or even exterior walls. For framing decks or any other framing members that will be directly exposed to the elements, galvanized nails are a better choice than commons, even if the nails are going to be painted over.

Gun Nails

Some hand nailing in framing will probably always be required, but the bulk of framing is now done with pneumatic nail guns that are run off of air compressors. They hold "clips" of nails, which are rows of nails temporarily held together with a bead of vinyl. Nail gun nails typically aren't referred to by their weight, but their length. Like 16 penny commons, almost all framing gun nails are 3 1/2 inches long. They are available with a standard coating or galvanized coating. Each model of nail gun only accepts nails specified by the manufacturer.

Specialized Nails

Ring-shanked nails are specifically designed to keep from working their way loose. They are used primarily on floors. Todays flooring systems tend to have much fewer squeaks than older floors. Part of that comes from construction adhesive and engineered lumber, but ring-shanked flooring nails also make a contribution to these new "quiet floors." Ring shanked nails designed to attach wood to the framing, instead of constructing the framing itself, are 2 1/2-inch-long 8 penny nails.