The devil is in the details, as they say: getting the right size nails for framing can make or break the project. Read this guide to understand framing nails so you can make the right decision.

Length and nail type depend on the construction

The type and length of nail you use will depend on the strength you need – how much structural support it has to hold up. There are specialized nails for different materials, which makes a lot of sense because the quality of drywall is so different from that of wood.

Drywall has its own nail. So does pressure-treated wood, roofing shingles and vinyl siding. Some nails have very wide heads to hold soft materials in place, such as Styrofoam boards, or very small heads so that they can be set below the surface of the wood and hidden with a filler, such as finishing nails.

There are nails that are coated with resin, or that have rings or twists in them to increase gripping strength. The kind of nails you want for framing are long, relatively wide, and have a smooth surface, with some notches close to the head.

There are two main types, which I will outline in the article, along with the contexts in which you would want to use both.

The ideal length of nails for framing a building

The nail lengths or nail sizes that are the most common include 6d, 8d, 10d, or 16d. Here, the letter ‘d’ signifies a penny. The diameters or pennies’ sizes differentiate between each nail size. So, the next question comes how to differentiate between various nail lengths. For framing, you can either use a nail gun or a hammer. A nail gun is a lot more efficient and precise.

1. 8D Nails

Framing is actually a multi-step process, that involves a lot more than joining 2-by-4s. You often have to attach furring strips, sheathing, subfloors and other materials for which you don’t need large nails. For all these parts of the jon, 8d common nails, which are 2 1/2 inches long, are often the best choice.

Some hardware stores even stock 8d vinyl-coated sinkers, which, like their 16d counterparts, are slightly narrower than common nails.

2. 16D nails

You’ll see two types of 16d nails at a hardware store (the “d” is an archaic English abbreviation for “penny”). Common nails have a smooth head, while sinkers have a textured head that prevents hammers from slipping. 

The main difference is that sinker nails feature a waffle-like style at the top while the common ones feature a smooth top. Out of these options, 16d sinkers are great for framing. As they arrive with vinyl, cement, and epoxy coating, these nails slide better into the wood.

What is framing a building?

So you may also be wondering what exactly framing is, and how it’s done. Framing is where your building actually begins to take shape. If you work in web development, it’s kind of like the wireframes of the website.

The frame is the skeleton that supports all the finishing features: to mix metaphors, the bone that supports the flesh and skin. It is an extremely important structural feature of a home, or any building: a shed, a sauna, a barn. No matter what you’re building, it is vital that you do your research, get the right materials, and pay attention to detail.

It is not, however, the same as a stud. A stud is really the structural foundation of the building, think of it like the fence post, and actual fence is the frame. There are many building codes around how studs and frames are put up, so its important to also consult these before getting started on any project.

Read more  Can You Use Roofing Nails for Siding? 

Modern light-frame structures(the framing between the studs) usually gain strength from rigid panels (plywood and plywood-like composites such as oriented strand board) used to form the entire or parts of wall sections; until recent days carpenters employed various forms of diagonal bracing (called “wind braces”) to stabilize walls.

Diagonal bracing remains a vital interior part of many roof systems, and in-wall wind braces are required by building codes in many municipalities or by individual state laws in the United States. Wood is the most common material used in frame construction, and it has to be treated and cured to prevent twisting and warping.

In some cases, metal beams can be used, especially these days when wood is so expensive, it can significantly cut down the costs of a construction project.

3 types of framing a building

There are three predominant forms of framing: balloon framing, post and beam framing, and platform framing.

1. Balloon framing, on the other hand is one of the earliest wood construction methods. It entails constructing light frames of wood around studs that run continuously from the top to the bottom of the building. It starts with studs that do the same, and then studs are also added to the desired height of each room.

2. Finally, post and beam construction is a technique that relies on heavy timber instead of dimensional lumber. It results in extremely durable structures, which can be seen in the structures still standing that were built in medieval times.

3. Platform frame construction is very common in residential projects, and entails framing every floor independently, and uses less wood than other methods. Every floor becomes a separate unit by nailing a horizontal frame member to the top of the wall studs.

Step by Step Instructions: Building a Frame

1. Construct a floor

If constructing on a foundation, the first step is to construct a floor on the foundation. Sill plates are anchored to the foundation, then the floor joists are fastened to the sill plates and their ends boxed in with joist headers.

A joist is a horizontal structural member used in framing to span an open space, often between beams that subsequently transfer loads to vertical members. The headers and outside joists should fit flush with the outside edges of the foundation. After the deck or floor has been constructed, you’re ready to construct and erect the walls.

2. Construct the walls

The walls consist of sole plates nailed to the subflooring, or anchored with anchor bolts to the concrete slab. Studs are nailed to the sole plates and top plates are nailed to the studs. The next step is to lay the sole plate and top plate side by side, and determine any door and window locations, as per the plans or your building design.

You must know the rough-opening sizes of any doors and windows. Using a carpenter’s square, mark these rough opening locations on both. The tongue of the square is 1-1/2-inches wide, the exact width of kiln-dried 2-by framing materials.

Then mark the stud locations, again on both sole and top plate at the same time. This measurement may be on 16- or 24-inch centers, depending on building design or local codes.

3. Add the Headers

4. Square the Frame

In some instances walls are constructed without additional bracing, using plywood or OSB sheathing at the corners to brace and square the wall section. In some cases the sheathing is applied to the wall frame before erecting the wall.

In either case, the wall section is first squared by measuring diagonally from corner to corner, then from opposite corner to corner, then shifting the wall section to create an equal measurement and a squared wall. A large wooden 90-degree triangle can also be used. A temporary brace is then installed to hold the wall square.

Read more  Nail and Hair Salons Are Beginning to Close. How Will This Affect Workers?

5.  Raise the Walls

Two’s a party when erecting a wall. It can be a fairly easy job, but you want two people to make it go smoothly. Erecting on a subfloor is easier than on a slab. Simply slide the wall close to the edge at its location and tilt it up.

If installing the wall on a concrete slab, slide it up to the anchor bolts, then you will have to lift the wall up and position it down on the anchor bolts. Again, this is at least a two-person chore, even for a short wall.

6. Support the walls

With the wall up in position, drive 2-by-4 stakes in the ground and provide temporary supports anchored to the wall studs and stakes. Duplex nails used for constructing foundations are good for this step, as they can more easily be pulled later. Make sure the wall is plumb and correctly in position before anchoring the bracing.

If placed on a slab, fasten the sole plate in place with washers and nuts over the sole plate and on the anchor bolts. If on a foundation/floor, nail the sole plate down on the subfloor and into the floor joists and headers. If the wall is to be built in sections, build the next section, erect it, brace in place and fasten to the previously erected wall.

Note the wall joints are always on a stud.

7. Nail Plates

The tops of the walls at corners and wall section joints are joined by nailing a second top plate down over the top plate, crossing over all joints to tie them securely together. This second top plate creates the final wall height of a standard 8-foot wall. Corner blocking is needed at each interior wall corner to provide for fastening interior wall coverings.

— Update: 19-03-2023 — cohaitungchi.com found an additional article How Many Nails Are Used To Build a House? from the website www.newhomesup.com for the keyword how many nails to frame a house.

There are 21,000 nails used to build a new average-sized home, which consists of 13 different types of construction nails.

When building a house, each type of construction nail will serve a specific purpose. For example, nails used by roofing professionals will differ from nails used by flooring installers.

The cost of all nails used to build a house is between $750 and $1000.

A construction nail may seem like a standard material used in home building, but there is a lot to consider as a builder. Each type of nail used in construction will serve a specific purpose in the build. It’s important to remember that nails can be made from a variety of materials too.

Most construction nails are made from steel, such as galvanized steel (this prevents corrosion).

13 Types of Nails Used in Home Construction

When a home plan is reviewed by the structural engineer, there is an assumption that the right types of nails will be used for the build. If you’ve ever wondered where builders buy their materials, you should read our post on this topic. There are many different types of nails in the market, but we will look at the 13 different types of nails used in home construction.

Common Nails

In the home construction process, a common nail is used for framing. It is fastened to the framing using a nail gun, as several thousand nails need to be anchored. This common nail is sometimes known as the construction nail, and it has a flat head and long straight body. A box of 3.5-inch common framing galvanized nails with 150 pieces will cost $16.50. Most builders will purchase common nails from the local home improvement store or wholesale supplier.

Box Nails

The most common use for box nails in home construction is for installing trim work, pine clapboard siding, and other elements that require no structural strength. A box nail brings no structural strength and is meant to hold things in place. These nails are thin enough to prevent materials from splitting or cracking.

Read more  Can You use 18 Gauge Nails for Baseboards?

Box nails are more expensive than common nails.

Casing Nails

Casing nails are large thin nails, and they are used to install casings around windows, doors, and certain profiles. These types of nails are used when additional holding strength is required for trims and casings. They are mostly used in conjunction with finishing nails and brad nails.

Finishing Nails

Nails that are driven into trims, baseboards, and casings that go past the surface are known as finishing nails. Finishing nails do not stick out on the material’s surface due to their small head. These nails are fastened using a nail gun.

Brad Nails

Brad nails provide the best protection against splicing and splitting. These are thinner than finishing and casing nails, and offer optimal holding power for crown molding, trim work, and baseboards. Some builders will also use brad nails for other finishing work in kitchens and bathrooms. When working with thin materials, a brad nailer is the best tool to use.

Cut Flooring Nails

These are specialty nails made using metal sheets and are commonly used in flooring installations. Installers will typically use flooring nailers and flooring nail guns with these types of nails. These types of nails are sometimes referred to as Flooring L Cleat Nails.

Spiral Shank Flooring Nails

When working with hard materials such as plywood or hardwood, spiral shank flooring nails are the best option. These nails have spiral shanks which give the nail a screw-like design. When a spiral shank nail is hammered into hardwood, the grooves create a stronghold keeping the floor down and in position.

Annular Ring Nails

These nails are similar to the previously mentioned type of nail, but instead of spiral shanks, you will notice parallel rings along the shank. Annular ring nails are used for installing panels, certain softwood materials, shingles, and even underlayment.

Annular ring nails are best used with softer materials because the material gives way for the nail to pass through. Once the nail is in its final position, the material will surround the grooves locking the nail in place.

Masonry Nails

Often referred to as concrete nails, these masonry nails are used for driving structures into concrete, cement, or stone. The larger and thicker profile of these concrete nails allows for greater penetration into hard surfaces. There are three types of masonry nails – fluted, round and square masonry nails. The choice to use one over the other would be dependent on the purpose. If high holding strength is required, masonry nails would not be recommended.

Duplex Nails

When temporary construction is involved in a home build, such as temporary staircases – a double-headed or duplex nail would be used. A duplex nail has two heads, which makes nail removal much easier. These nails can be removed using a nail puller or hammer. A duplex nail is sometimes referred to as a scaffolding nail and is available in multiple lengths.

Roofing Nails

Roofing nails have larger than normal heads which ensures that roofing shingles are kept in place. These nails have regular shanks but would either contain a larger steelhead or plastic head.

The best roofing nails have short shanks, and large heads, and come galvanized.

Drywall Nails

As the name suggests, drywall nails are best used in installing drywall due to the multiple rings on the shank. Drywall nails are built to hold material together. The most common nail lengths used for drywall are 1.25-inch or 1.375-inch.

While drywall nails are common in home construction, drywallers still prefer the strength offered by drywall screws.

Deck Nails

The best deck nails are stainless steel nails because they offer greater protection against rusting, discoloration, and strength. These deck nails are commonly found at all home improvement stores, and chosen by most deck builders. During installations, nail guns drive down the deck nails into the deck boards.

We’ve created an infographic of the 13 types of nails used to build a house which you can see below.