Common nails have a thick shank, a wide head, and a diamond-shaped point.
They are most commonly used with 2x dimensional lumber, such as two-by-fours.
Box Nail
Box nails are similar to common nails and sinkers but have thinner shanks.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
They are better suited to thinner wood materials, such as 1x (3/4-inch-thick) lumber and exterior trim.
The thinner shank of a box nail is less likely to split thinner materials.
Thenail is drivenuntil the lower head is flush with the wood.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Similar nails that may have rings include drywall nails or deck board nails, also for improved holding power.
Masonry Nail or Concrete Nail
Masonry nailsandconcrete nailsare thick, short, and very strong.
A casing nail is essentially a large finishing nail.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
It is often used for installing exterior trim boards and nailing door frames and trim.
Casing nails are commonly galvanized for corrosion resistance.
The nail head is tapered and may be set flush or just below the wood surface.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Brad Nail
Brad nails(or brads) have thin shanks similar to finishing nails.
Brad nails are used in light woodworking.
Because they are difficult to drive by hand, brad nails are typically used with anail gun.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Roofing nails are used to fastenshingles, roofing felt, or sheet metal to wood.
The shanks can be smooth or ringed for increased pull-out resistance.
Penny Nail Names
The penny nail system uses names like 10d, 16d, and so on.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
The penny system refers to nail length.
Each higher number represents a 1/4-inch length increase in the nail.
Nail Shanks
The nail shank is the long part of the nail.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
It is the strongest part of the nail, with the most holding power.
Common flat heads offer a large striking surface.
Nail Coatings
Special coatings lubricate the nail shank to improve strength and driving ability.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
An uncoated nail is often called a bright nail.
Most construction nails are steel, and often they are coated.
Nails for outdoor use are often galvanized or hot-dipped with a zinc coating to improve their weather resistance.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
But stainless steel nails are more expensive than galvanized nails or zinc-plated nails.
Framing nail shanks are thinner and they have thin, almost flat heads.
Common nails have a thicker nail shank and thicker heads.
