I'm getting my material list together to frame a house and am a bit confused by all the similar looking pneumatic nails which all have a slightly different wording/features and different prices, sometimes subtle and sometimes not.
On the takeoff a lumber yard created for me, there are several types of nails listed. They are:
- Pneu-Fast PF SP12D 3-1/4" x 0.131" NA
- Pneu-Fast SP8D 2-3/8" x 113 2.5M RS Ring Shank Bright
- HITACHI HI13367 2 1/4X092 RG HDG
- GGNC15 1-1/4X120W PS GV 7.2M
I believe the last two are for siding and roofing respectively. But when are SP12D nails used vs SP8D when framing?
Second, when I look these nails up, there are actually several flavors and options for the same size nail:
- Ring Hot Galvanized
- Smooth Brite Ring
- Brite Ring
- Hot Galvanized
- Smooth Hot Galvanized
What do these terms mean, and when should I use a certain type?
Best Answer
Definitions
Hot galvanized: Dipped in molten zinc as an anti-corrosion measure. The alternative is electro-plating, which results in a smoother but thinner coating.
Brite: Not galvanized. Usually not cement-coated.
Smooth: An untextured shank. Regular nails. Often coated with yellow or magenta "cement", a bonding agent that noticeably increases pullout resistance.
Ring: Ring-textured shanks for improved pullout resistance.
Usage
You'll use 12d (twelve penny, 3 or 3-1/4") smooth nails for most framing. We actually refer to those as 16d as they're the functional equivalent of 16d sinkers. They may be cement coated. Nails used with the current crop of pressure-treated wood often need to be galvanized or stainless to prevent accelerated corrosion.
You'll use 8d (eight penny, 2, 2-1/4", or 2-3/8") ring-shank nails for subflooring if not using screws.