Fence: Nails or Screws - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Hanna Sniper · 09-09-2009, 10:29 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.

a 1x6 fence board is 5/8" so total would be 2 1/8". Not correcting you ken but just pointing out to anyone that follows this... that unless the wood has taken in some water and swelled a bit you should only have 1/8" and not 1/4". I still use 2" nails but be cautious of your depth.

sclitheroe · 09-09-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanna Sniper

a 1x6 fence board is 5/8" so total would be 2 1/8". Not correcting you ken but just pointing out to anyone that follows this... that unless the wood has taken in some water and swelled a bit you should only have 1/8" and not 1/4". I still use 2" nails but be cautious of your depth.

Really, this is all semantics...none of it matters if you are doing the screwing from your side of the fence, rather than your neighbors

EDBTZ12 · 09-09-2009, 11:32 PM

screw nails just use screws.

Radio · 09-09-2009, 11:32 PM

Screws.

I built a nice big deck a few years back with screws then we added to the back of our house so I dismantled the deck and salvaged most everything including the screws. Now I am rebuilding the deck using a mixture of salvaged screws and new.

If you're using pressure treated lumber be sure to get green screws..that's why I am using a mixture. the gold screws react with the treatment and corrode quite a bit faster.

Old Yeller · 09-10-2009, 12:01 AM

Crazy glue.

Shin Pad · 09-10-2009, 01:23 AM

The thing is, with the ACQ pressure treated wood, it has a higher copper content than the CCA pressure treated wood that used to be readily available, so it will eventually react (electrolysis) with galvanized metal or steel or aluminum and will deteriorate the fasteners fairly quickly. From that standpoint, the green screws or stainless steel screws are the best for any applications involving ACQ pressure treated wood. Note - most of the treated lumber you buy these days is the ACQ pressure treated lumber. I would even go as far as to prepaint all galvanized metal brackets that you would use with your fence, prior to installing them (just to keep the galvanized metal from coming in direct contact with the pressure treated wood).

If you must use galvanized nails with ACQ lumber, make sure you get triple galvanized nails (they aren't that readily available), or use stainless steel nails.

stang · 09-10-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuffMan

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

You still never answered her question...

Your 25 year old fence... what was it built with?

transplant99 · 09-10-2009, 06:07 AM

Screw it.

Jedi Ninja · 09-10-2009, 07:03 AM

If you decide you want to use a nailer, get galvanized ring shank nails. The ring shank nails are hard to find, but they're out there. They hold a lot better than standard nails.

Has anyone ever really used stainless screws on a fence?? That would be the world's most expensive fence, I'm guessing.

DuffMan · 09-10-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stang

You still never answered her question...

Your 25 year old fence... what was it built with?

nails

Stranger · 09-10-2009, 08:28 AM

Screws are a great way to go. However Air nails are just as effective. I've built many decks and fences for customers and I haven't had one callback or complain about nails pulling out. I've built all my fences with just galvanized air nails. (3.25" for the main boards and 2" for the fence boards. All my decks are framed with gavanized spikes. I then screw the decking down with a quick drive screw gun. The rest of the rail then is done with nails. In both cases I've never had a complaint.

I use nails for speed, but if you choose there is nothing wrong with screws.

yads · 09-10-2009, 09:16 AM

One thing with deck screws is that they are quite thin. You'd probably be better off using nails. Just get a good framing hammer and it's a breeze.

Also adding that if you think you'll be able to take a piece of fence off because you used screws rather than nails. That's being delusional. Screws will rust. You'll just shear off the head if you try to unscrew it. Which means you'll need to pry it apart just as you would with nails.

DuffMan · 09-10-2009, 09:30 AM

this should have been a poll.

tussery · 09-10-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnes

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

Yeah because putting in 2000 nails with a 16oz or 20oz hammer is an easy task compared to running a cordless drill all day.

Shazam · 09-10-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

Has anyone ever really used stainless screws on a fence?? That would be the world's most expensive fence, I'm guessing.

Yes. My neighbour insisted on using them. He spent about $300 on screws. He didn't realize that coated screws cost about $50.

Guy was never too bright about that sort of stuff.

alltherage · 09-10-2009, 11:08 AM

1 screw is worth 2 nails.

Flash Walken · 09-10-2009, 11:26 AM

Screws for fastening. Nails for positioning.

trubuilt · 09-10-2009, 05:48 PM

I have built a few fences and I use a mix of galvanized nails and screws it all depends on what style of fence you are building once you decide that you can decide on what to use.
They also make a air nail screw that is a bit costly but is fast if you dont have a screw gun

Flames_Gimp · 09-10-2009, 06:13 PM

Nails. because you could buy one of my framing nailers haha

Titan · 09-10-2009, 06:45 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.

By no means and by any measure are YOU "just a girl"