{"id":2116,"date":"2022-04-19T14:55:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-19T18:55:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/?p=2116"},"modified":"2022-12-23T12:01:24","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T17:01:24","slug":"nails-vs-screws-for-fence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/","title":{"rendered":"Nails vs Screws for Fence Installation: Which is the Superior Fastener?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to installing a fence, you have two basic options when it comes to fasteners \u2013 nails vs screws. Both of these fasteners have their respective strengths and weaknesses, and both have their place in specific fastening situations.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>While there is a lot to consider here, the basic distinction here is that screws have more holding power than nails do, but cost more and take longer to drive.<\/p>\n<p>Nails are fast and easy to fasten \u2013 especially if you\u2019re using a nail gun.\u00a0 They\u2019re also relatively inexpensive and have a higher shear strength than screws, which means they can better withstand bending under stress from wind and <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-fix-a-leaning-fence-post\/\">leaning fence posts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ll break down nails vs. screws for fastening a fence in more detail, so you\u2019ll have a better idea of which fastener type will work best for you.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_61 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Jump To:<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65dd99d3e2e80\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-65dd99d3e2e80\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Strength\" title=\"Strength\">Strength<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Ease_of_Fastening\" title=\"Ease of Fastening\">Ease of Fastening<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Cost\" title=\"Cost\">Cost<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Longevity\" title=\"Longevity\">Longevity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Repairs\" title=\"Repairs\">Repairs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#What_Size_Nails_and_Screws_Should_I_Use\" title=\"What Size Nails and Screws Should I Use?\">What Size Nails and Screws Should I Use?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/nails-vs-screws-for-fence\/#Wrap_Up\" title=\"Wrap Up\">Wrap Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strength\"><\/span><strong>Strength<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to strength, there are multiple factors to consider. Fastener strength can be broken down into both tensile strength as well as shear strength.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tensile strength<\/strong> refers to a material\u2019s ability to resist breaking under pressure. <strong>Screws have superior tensile strength to nails<\/strong>, as they\u2019re better able to draw separate pieces of wood together and keep them there.<\/p>\n<p>Nails will come loose far earlier than screws will, which can be an issue when you\u2019re dealing with a fence in particular wet and humid climates. Wood fencing, especially cedar, will shrink and expand when it gets wet and dries, which can actually push nails out of the fence over time. Screws don\u2019t have this issue as their threads provide better holding power.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2120\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2120\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2120 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/nail-pushed-out-of-fence.jpg?resize=800%2C472&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"loose nail pushed out of old fence\" width=\"800\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/nail-pushed-out-of-fence.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/nail-pushed-out-of-fence.jpg?resize=300%2C177&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/nail-pushed-out-of-fence.jpg?resize=768%2C453&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2120\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Loose nail being pushed out of old fence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Shear strength<\/strong> refers to a material\u2019s ability to withstand side-to-side force. <strong>Nails have more shear strength<\/strong>, which means they\u2019ll bend rather than break when placed under heavy shear forces.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll often hear that screws are more brittle than nails, which means they have more of a tendency to break than bend under stress. This is undoubtedly true and makes nails a good option when you\u2019re building a fence that will be subject to shear forces like heavy winds, trees leaning on them, or kids climbing on them.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ease_of_Fastening\"><\/span><strong>Ease of Fastening<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you\u2019re installing a fence, especially a long fence, you\u2019ll want fasteners that are quick and easy to install.<\/p>\n<p>Nails are generally faster and easier to install than screws, as all it takes is a couple of whacks with a hammer to drive in a nail. If you have a nailgun, then the process is even easier and takes less than a second to drive the nail.<\/p>\n<p>Screws on the other hand take longer to drive into place. You need to line up the screw, insert the drill bit into the screw\u2019s head, and drive it into place carefully. Depending on the screws and materials, you may even need to pre-drill holes before driving the screw.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2123\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2123 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/driving-screw-into-fence-post.jpg?resize=800%2C496&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"driving screw into fence panel and post\" width=\"800\" height=\"496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/driving-screw-into-fence-post.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/driving-screw-into-fence-post.jpg?resize=300%2C186&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/driving-screw-into-fence-post.jpg?resize=768%2C476&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Screws are fairly easy to fasten, but not as easy as nails.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you have an <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/when-not-to-use-an-impact-driver\/\">impact driver<\/a>, the process will be a bit faster and easier, but this will still take longer than simply hammering nails into place.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost\"><\/span><strong>Cost<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This one undoubtedly comes down in favor of nails, as exterior screws are significantly more expensive than comparable nails.<\/p>\n<p>This varies depending on the specific materials and coatings, screws will cost about 2 to 3 times more than nails. If you\u2019re working on a large project, then the cost of fasteners can really add up, increasing the cost of the overall fencing project.<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not the added costs are worth it really depends on your priorities and the specifics of the job. As mentioned previously, screws are preferable in situations where the wood shrinks and expands a lot, so if this sounds like you, the added cost of screws may be worth it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Longevity\"><\/span><strong>Longevity<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you\u2019re building a fence, you want it to last for a long time. No one wants to have to <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-remove-broken-fence-posts-concrete\/\">remove broken fence posts<\/a>, replace corroded or missing fasteners, or fix leaning fence posts.<\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, these things happen, so it\u2019s best to use fasteners that are built to last for many years. Fences are subject to rain, snow, humidity, high winds, and more, so investing in good quality corrosion-resistant fasteners is a must.<\/p>\n<p>Both nails and screws can last for a long period of time if used correctly. You always want to use nails and screws that are suitable for outdoor use, meaning stainless steel, polymer-coated, or hot-dipped galvanized.<\/p>\n<p>Another thing to keep in mind if you&#8217;re using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frlco.com\/our-blog\/your-guide-to-pressure-treated-lumber\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pressure-treated lumber<\/a> is that certain fasteners can react with the copper additive inside the lumber causing the fasteners to rapidly corrode. Make sure any fastener you plan on using is rated for use with pressure-treated lumber before you install the fence.<\/p>\n<p>Another no-no is using galvanized nails or screws in cedar fencing, the fasteners react with compounds in the wood and create unsightly streaks.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2124\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2124\" style=\"width: 790px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2124 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/streaks-galvanized-screw-in-cedar.jpg?resize=800%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"streaks from galvanized screw in cedar\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/streaks-galvanized-screw-in-cedar.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/streaks-galvanized-screw-in-cedar.jpg?resize=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/streaks-galvanized-screw-in-cedar.jpg?resize=768%2C480&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2124\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Galvanized fasteners screws create unsightly streaks when used in cedar fencing. [Image <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/theilr\/3637353618\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">source<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Repairs\"><\/span><strong>Repairs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When building a fence, you might not be thinking that you\u2019ll need to repair it any time soon, but sometimes the universe has other plans.<\/p>\n<p>If you need to repair a damaged fence, say remove a fence panel and replace a damaged fence post, then screws are going to be a lot easier to work with than nails. Screws take mere seconds to remove with a drill or impact driver, while <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-remove-nails-from-wood\/\">nails can be a real pain to remove<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>One compromise that some people use is using nails for attaching pickets to backer rails with nails, and screws for attaching the panels to the posts. That way the panel is easy to separate from the post if necessary.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Size_Nails_and_Screws_Should_I_Use\"><\/span><strong>What Size Nails and Screws Should I Use?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Using the right-sized screws and nails is crucial if you want a durable and long-lasting fence.<\/p>\n<p>For screws, 3 \u00bd inch long exterior construction screws or <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/will-deck-screws-rust\/\">deck screws<\/a> are the way to go for <a href=\"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/how-to-install-a-fence-panel\/\">attaching panels to posts<\/a>. If you\u2019re going with nails, then 18d or 20d galvanized or stainless steel nails are the way to go.<\/p>\n<p>For attaching pickets to backer rails, then 1 \u00bd inch screws or 6 to 8d nails are the way to go.<\/p>\n<p>When using nails, ring shank nails are a much better option than smooth nails. These nails feature layers of ridges along the shank, making them twice as difficult for the nail to come loose as smooth shank nails.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap_Up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap Up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Picking between nails vs screws for building a fence is not that straightforward, as there are pros and cons to each. You\u2019ll need to weigh the respective benefits of holding power, tensile strength, and ease of removal for screws versus the lower cost, ease of installation, and superior shear strength of nails.<\/p>\n<p>As for myself, I\u2019ve used both nails and screws to install fences, and generally prefer screws where cost is not an issue. That\u2019s not to say nails are no good \u2013 they are quicker to install \u2013 and if you have a nailgun, then I\u2019d lean towards nails.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to installing a fence, you have two basic options when it comes to fasteners \u2013 nails vs screws. Both of these fasteners have their respective strengths and weaknesses, and both have their place in specific fastening situations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2118,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Nails vs Screws for Fence Installation: Which is the Superior Fastener? - Home Improvement Scout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When it comes to installing a fence, you have two basic options when it comes to fasteners \u2013 nails vs screws. 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Instead of putting together the entire thing on your own, you\u2019ll be able to choose from several different styles of premade fence panels. 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It doesn\u2019t really matter how well the fence was installed initially \u2013 as weather, wood rot, and gravity have a way of causing fences to sag. The cause for this leaning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Exterior&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Exterior","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/category\/exterior\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"leaning fence","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/leaning-fence.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/leaning-fence.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/leaning-fence.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/leaning-fence.jpg?fit=880%2C586&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1790,"url":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/will-deck-screws-rust\/","url_meta":{"origin":2116,"position":4},"title":"Will Deck Screws Rust? 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If you head down to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Exterior&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Exterior","link":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/category\/exterior\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"deck screws and drill","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/will-deck-screws-rust.jpg?fit=880%2C530&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/will-deck-screws-rust.jpg?fit=880%2C530&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/will-deck-screws-rust.jpg?fit=880%2C530&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/will-deck-screws-rust.jpg?fit=880%2C530&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1772,"url":"https:\/\/homeimprovementscout.com\/wood-screws-vs-deck-screws\/","url_meta":{"origin":2116,"position":5},"title":"Wood Screws vs. Deck Screws","author":"Denis Gardner","date":"January 24, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Two of the most common screw types you\u2019ll find in your local hardware store are wood screws and deck screws. 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