Spiral shank fencing nails seem to be the norm for board fencing. Why are they preferred over screws?
Is there a reason to use 4" spiral shank nails when the contractor would prefer 4" decking screws?
Those nails won’t back out/pull out if a horse kicks or other hits a board, like slick nails will.
Screws are good because they too won’t pull, but you can unscrew them if you want to change the board without it splitting or breaking on you.
You can use shorter good quality screws where you would need longer nails.
Yes, I understand smooth shanked nails will pop.
I am specifically asking about why 4" spiral shank nails are preferred over screws and if there is a reason why 4" epoxy coated deck screws are inappropriate.
I don’t find screws any easier to deal with when replacing boards. They’re always bent and have to be removed with swearing and vice grips. Spiral shank nails also require swearing to remove. Ease of replacement seems to be a wash, ime.
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The spiral nails are probably quicker and easier to install than screws.
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I just use coat nails to attach the boards to the posts, the Cover board that is placed over the joint is then screwed into place… repairs are simple If needed.
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The fencing contractor and I compromised…I wanted screws, he wanted to do nails. He put the boards up with 2 nails each end and when he was finished he went back and put one screw in each one.
I have seen over the years that the nails, even shanked nails, will allow a board to pull away from the post. The single screw will keep this from happening and save me the chore of having to pound nails back in.
There are air guns that you can use to put in the spiral shanked ones. Your contractor has to have a compressor and a generator on the back of the truck OR you can get the Passlode ones with the little canisters of air on them. They are just less powerful, and more expensive from the aspect of having to buy a bunch of those little canisters. I have seen them not really seat a nail, and you have to go back, and tap them in with your hammer.
I don’t like putting fencing up with screws. I curse more trying to get the screws through the 5/4 oak, into the 6" by 6" posts. Of course, when I nail, I pre-drill. I no longer can whack those babies in like I once could!
Whenever I replace nails in our fencing that existed when we bought the farm, I replace them with decking screws. I’m sure it takes a while longer to install new fencing, but IMO screws are much, much better long term.
Screws are great until they get stripped, you don’t have the right size bit, or you don’t have a working drill. Maybe the battery is dead, maybe hubby has it in his work truck (not home), and you need a board fixed NOW. We have a 50lb box of spiral galvanized Maze nails and I love them. They drive straight, even when I mis-hit, bend it back and keep going. The board will probably break before the nails get pushed out. But I can remove it with a hammer or pry bar if needed.
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A pox on whoever came up with those horrible nails. They are impossible to remove after they’ve been in place a couple years. Any attempt will crack and split your boards. I’d much rather have a 50# box of screws and an extra cordless screw gun and battery around.
your experience matches mine, that is why I just went back to coated common nails to mount board then the cover board that covers the joining boards on the post is then screwed into place…if that cover cover board screws refuse to release it is less trouble to just split that board apart then with vise grips break the screws off (and the board rail board often can be reused as a cover board on the posts)
The only time I have needed to remove any boards is if a post rots (which I will never ever set one on concrete again) or usually if one of the minies breaks a middle board by rubbing their butts
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Coated sinkers (12P) are the bomb. Those wire nails are just awful, and I wouldn’t screw in boards for love or money.
I prefer screws, but something to keep in mind is that those ceramic deck screws are good for holding down deck boards. But they are not designed to have shear strength. Not good for fence boards. They will break at the neck. Get construction screws.
We used lag screws when we had board fences.
First fence was built with big long slick nails, then went along adding lag bolts.
Worked great for 60+ years, sure was a big job to take down.
All the lagbolts had to be unscrewed, a million of them.
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Very excellent point, thank you for this!
Interesting discussion, all. Thank you!
I have one fence that has screws WHAT A PIA. Every time a board breaks the old screw STRIPS when I try to remove it. I use the spiral shank nails. Unbelievably, Home Depot does not carry them here in Ocala - only TS has them…
You can get the good spiral Maze nails at Gilbert’s hardware in Ocala for about $3 a pound.
