Nails For Building A Fence

Look for polymer coated hot dipped fasteners when working outdoors with lumber and other materials for decks fences and siding.

Nails for building a fence.

To attach individual pickets to the backer rails we recommend 8d to 10d nails or 1 1 4 in. To attach individual pickets to the backer rails we recommend 8d to 10d nails or 1 1 4 in. Building a fence can help increase home security and keep unwanted critters from your property. In summary to purchase the right fastener for your wood fence project.

The most basic is a board on board fence where the fence boards are nailed using a nail gun nailed at the support boards with the distance of less than one board between them. Learning how to build a fence involves securing the posts attaching the panels or pickets and providing post caps. With this constant movement the proper choice of nail is crucial. Popular types of fences include privacy picket split rail and basket weave and can be made from such materials as wood vinyl and metal.

As cedar dries it shrinks again. Whether you choose to use screws or nails the length is crucial to the success of your fence. Place the first board up and then use a level to plumb vertical level the board. When cedar gets wet it swells.

Each type of nail has a specific characteristics and it is clearly evident when the wrong type of nail has been used to build a fence. Wood expands and contracts as it gets wet and then dries out. A fence is only as strong as the nails that hold it together and all nails are not alike. When choosing the type of nail to be used the unique properties of cedar wood should be considered.

This guide provides an explanation of the types of screws best suited for your outdoor projects including galvanized nails galvanized screws and more. Choose a fastener material that is compatible to the type of wood you re building with. You don t have to use a nail gun to attach wooden fence slats you can complete the work with a traditional hammer but it s a long and exhausting process. To attach preassembled panels or backer rails to posts we recommend 18d to 20d nails or 3 1 2 in.

Using the wrong type of nail for building a wood fence is like using your iron to heat up pizza. Often even a highly regarded nail gun can fail if you put in a nail that it wasn t designed to use. You need the right nails for the job if you re building a fence and your nail gun must be able to accommodate the nail you want to use.