Fence: Nails or Screws - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FlamingC · 09-09-2009, 09:40 PM

I'm putting up my fence in a few days. I have a box of nails from my dad who did his fence. A few people have told me to forget the nails and use screws. Are screws that much better for fence boards vs nails? I would have to go buy screws vs getting free nails from my dad. Is it worth it? We would want the fence to last about 8 - 10 years.

Thoughts from the CP collective?

FlamingC

The Fonz · 09-09-2009, 09:44 PM

Cost isn't an issue, a bag of screws won't cost barely anything.

I'd use screws. With nails, they're bound to pull out over time.

Dion · 09-09-2009, 09:47 PM

Use screws. Someday you may want to replace some or all the boards. It's a lot easier to unscrew a board as opposed to prying the board off and removing the nail.

ricosuave · 09-09-2009, 09:47 PM

screws

FlamingInfinity · 09-09-2009, 09:47 PM

Whenever my family makes anything for the acreage or for others we always use screws. If something ever breaks or goes wrong, then you can take a screw out no problem, without damaging the material.

If anything ever happens to the fence, then you're good to go for a quick repair job rather than fighting for an edge with the hammer, and stressing yourself out. Screws are so much easier to work with, and they tend to hold a lot better with the 'rivets'? My 0.02.

ken0042 · 09-09-2009, 09:52 PM

The only reason I would use nails is if I was going to use an air nailer for speed.

Nails are also better for sheer strength- and screws are better for not pulling out when pressure is applied. Seeing as you don't need the strength of the nails, but do need the strength the other way- screws win again.

Plus there have been times when we've wanted to remove a section of fence; like to get a Bobcat into the yard for landscaping. So much easier if you know you can take a section down and then put it back up when you are done.

FireFly · 09-09-2009, 09:56 PM

I thought the thread said France: Nails or Screws. I think they screw. And nail.

For your question, nails. Provided your wood is treated properly and wont warp, there's no need for screws. But that's my opinion and I'm just a girl.

simonsays · 09-09-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

The only reason I would use nails is if I was going to use an air nailer for speed.

Nails are also better for sheer strength- and screws are better for not pulling out when pressure is applied. Seeing as you don't need the strength of the nails, but do need the strength the other way- screws win again.

Plus there have been times when we've wanted to remove a section of fence; like to get a Bobcat into the yard for landscaping. So much easier if you know you can take a section down and then put it back up when you are done.

This exactly. A+ ken for your excellent work.

Barnes · 09-09-2009, 09:59 PM

Screws. The green coated ones for pressure treated. Nails are for girls.

FlamingInfinity · 09-09-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

I thought the thread said France: Nails or Screws. I think they screw. And nail.

For your question, nails. Provided your wood is treated properly and wont warp, there's no need for screws. But that's my opinion and I'm just a girl.

All of your construction advice may have been for nothing after saying that.

DuffMan · 09-09-2009, 10:02 PM

3" deck screws. get a container full.

edit - I'm a male and just put up my fence 2 months ago.

Reaper · 09-09-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamingInfinity

All of your construction advice may have been for nothing after saying that.

May have been? That's like saying the ocean may have been wet.

Caged Great · 09-09-2009, 10:05 PM

Definitely screws

FireFly · 09-09-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuffMan

3" deck screws. get a container full.

edit - I'm a male and just put up my fence 2 months ago.

So what you're saying is that your fence has not withstood the test of time?

In actuality, who reefs on a fence board to pry it loose? Also, you can use something to pry off a fence board and then nail it back on again as well... so your theory on screws is iffy.

However, if you want to make sure that your boards will stay on through a tornado, by all means, screw them down.

Hanna Sniper · 09-09-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Plus there have been times when we've wanted to remove a section of fence; like to get a Bobcat into the yard for landscaping. So much easier if you know you can take a section down and then put it back up when you are done.

All you need to do is cut the nails/screws that attach the 2x4 to the post, remove the whole sections as one. Doesn't matter if you use screws or nails takes 2 minutes regardless. I do it all the time

DuffMan · 09-09-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

So what you're saying is that your fence has not withstood the test of time?

In actuality, who reefs on a fence board to pry it loose? Also, you can use something to pry off a fence board and then nail it back on again as well... so your theory on screws is iffy.

However, if you want to make sure that your boards will stay on through a tornado, by all means, screw them down.

hunh? I ripped down a 25 year old fence and put up a new one, 2 months ago.
and
my theory on screws is, unless you have an air nailer, using an 18v drill + 3" deck screws > than hammering nails.

ken0042 · 09-09-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuffMan

my theory on screws is, unless you have an air nailer, using an 18v drill + 3" deck screws > than hammering nails.

Just make sure you get the right length. If you put the 2X4 on it's side (like a floor joist) and use 1X6 fence boards; you only have 2 1/4" inches of wood- so use 2" screws in that case.

FireFly · 09-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuffMan

hunh? I ripped down a 25 year old fence and put up a new one, 2 months ago.
and
my theory on screws is, unless you have an air nailer, using an 18v drill + 3" deck screws > than hammering nails.

*woosh*

The fence you built is only two months old. At two months old, your fence has not stood the test of time.... I don't care how old the other was, but I might ask if it was built with nails or screws since it lasted 25 years.

DuffMan · 09-09-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

*woosh*

The fence you built is only two months old. At two months old, your fence has not stood the test of time.... I don't care how old the other was, but I might ask if it was built with nails or screws since it lasted 25 years.

Oh, I see what you are getting at. I will btt this thread in 2034, for an update.

DuffMan · 09-09-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Just make sure you get the right length. If you put the 2X4 on it's side (like a floor joist) and use 1X6 fence boards; you only have 2 1/4" inches of wood- so use 2" screws in that case.

actually I bought 8 foot sections of prebuilt, so I just needed to secure them to the 4x4 posts. so I only needed 3" screws. But yes, if you're building from scratch you will probably need assorted sizes, like Ken alluded to.