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Screws vs nails – this has been a tug of war between folks for quite some time with many robustly defending their opinions.
However, when it comes to framing, which exactly should you use – nails or screws?
In this post, we will look at what experts recommend about using nails vs screws for framing and also what codes say you should use for framing projects.
Let’s dive in.
Why use nails instead of screws for framing
I am sure you well know that frames are the structural backbone of any project.
You see, frames are what carry all the load a given structure is meant to hold.
Therefore, weak framing could lead to your structure crumbling.
The same happens when you use wrong fasteners – your structure might crumble and you could end up being sued, if it’s a residential or commercial building and people have been injured.
So why use nails instead of screws for framing?
Well, first, you may have noted that most construction books and experts recommend nails over screws for framing.
And below are some of the most compelling reasons why nails are better for framing compared to screws
Why are nails better than screws for framing
Shear strength
This is inarguably the biggest reason why nails are the way to go for framing.
And the truth is nails provide excellent holds against shear forces.
By shear forces, I mean the forces that act when two attached surfaces slide against each other-forces that act in a direction that is parallel to (over the top 0f) a particular surface or cross-section of a body)
Why nails provide unbreakable hold under shear forces is majorly because they can bend even to extreme angles without breaking off(nails can actually bend 90⁰ without breaking).
In contrast, screws tend to easily break even from a little bending making them unsuitable for framing as frames usually have shear forces acting on them.
Sure, screws have better tensile strength but this is rarely important when framing.
Moreover, you can use ring shanked nails if you want maximum tensile strength.
Building codes requirement
From what we have seen in previous point, I am sure that you now see the importance of using nails in framing.
It will not therefore surprise you to learn that some states’ building codes dictate that only nails can be used for structural framing including framing walls.
So again go the nails route if you don’t want to violate your building codes (where applicable).
Nails save you money
If you pay a visit to your local hardware store and go through the prices of fasteners online, you will note that nails are way cheaper than screws.
So why would you purchase screws when you’ll be paying more not to forget that they won’t work as well as nails when framing?
Tell me friend!
Faster installation
Nails are also much easier to install.
All you have to do is just load your nails into the magazine of your nail gun, press the gun to your surface and pull the trigger – your nail will be flush with the wood within a flash of a second.
By the way, some framing nailers can fire up to 3 or 4 nails per second.
Compare this to structural screws for framing– you, in general, take more time to drive in just one screw.
Now that you have seen why nails are normally used when framing, what size nails are perfect for your frames?
Let’s look at this…
What size nails for framing
When it comes to most standard frames, we are looking at 2×3 or 2×4 lumber.
For these, I always recommend that you use 12d (3 ¼”) or 16d (3 ½”) nails.
That said, it’s okay to use 10d (3”) nails.
However, they will not provide the same strong holding power as 12d or 16d nails.
Also keep in mind that any nail longer than a 16d will poke out of the other end of your frame, which of course is not a good thing.
And in case you are wondering what size nails for deck framing, don’t worry as the 12d and 16d nails are still perfect since most decks have 2×4 frames.
Best nails for deck framing
Before proceeding, when choosing your nails, remember to take into consideration the information above on what size nails for framing as you don’t want to use too long or too short nails.
Besides, because some of the nails will be left exposed to the elements of weather, there’s a risk of corrosion so hot dipped galvanized or steel nails are your best bet.
In addition, using ring shanked nails will yield a stronger hold-They have stronger grips on wood.
Overall, I recommend the hot dipped Eagle nails -they provide such strong holds that not even a ply bar can pop them out of your frames without coming off with the wood.
However, if you are just framing a temporary structure, then what you might need are the hot dipped smooth shank Eagle nails as they are much easier to pull out.
When to use nails vs screws in a deck
Decks are nice additives to your home and there are many reasons why you might consider installing one.
Whatever your reason, I am sure that you know that a deck has many parts – from joists to boards to balusters.
Now, all these parts are designed to withstand varying amounts of shear and tensile forces.
This means that you won’t entirely use either nails or screws.
Instead, some parts will require nails while others will require screws.
To fully understand where to use nails and where to use screws in your deck, read our previous article: nails vs screws for deck .
Why use nails instead of screws for framing – frequently asked questions [FAQs]
Can you use screws for framing walls?
It all comes down to the type of wall you plan on framing.
For structural walls, I advise you to go for the nails as screws may not withstand calamities like earthquakes and hurricanes.
On the other hand, for small and non-load bearing walls, screws are fine.
However, don’t use any screw-use structural screws such as these GRK steel screws or deck screws such as the Deck Plus screws as they are much stronger.
Are structural screws stronger than nails?
Nowadays, you will come across screws labelled as structural screws- and these screws are meant to be used for framing.
That said, they do not have as much shear strength as nails and can break when subjected to too much shear forces.
For that reason, they are only suitable for small-load bearing structures.
Why use nails instead of screws for framing – wrapping it up
Screws have better tensile strength and pullout resistance.
However, this is not key when it comes to framing.
So: why nails instead of screws for framing?
With framing, shear strength is the greatest concern and this is a nail’s domain as framing nails can bend to extreme angles without breaking.
Moreover, nails take less time to install and are way cheaper than screws.
Shop best framing nails on Amazon
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Best cordless nail gun for framing [3 awesome picks!]