Nails

Nails and Their Uses

Barbed: fastening shingles Escutcheon pin: decorative nail for

or other flexible materials fastening escutcheons

Fence: fastening weathered fence

Boat spike: timber construction rails (boards) to posts

Brad: finishing nail <1" long Fine: finishing nail 1" to 11/2" long

Box: nailing thin dry wood close to edges Finishing: small head for countersinking

Cement-coated box: coated with resin that Cut finishing: finishing nail for
melts on driving and acts as adhesive historic restoration

Casing: similar to finish nail but with dulled Flooring brad: thin nail for fastening
point for nailing trim without splitting hardwood flooring without splitting

Common: rough and heavy construction Blunt flooring: blunt nail for fastening
such as house framing hardwood flooring without splitting

Concrete: hardened steel with Cut flooring: flooring nail for

diamond point to penetrate concrete historic restoration

Fluted concrete: hardened steel with fluting Drive-screw flooring: spiral fluting
for increased holding in concrete increases holding power

Dowel pin: alignment of removable parts

Gutter spike: attaching gutter to fascia
and shelving support

552 FASTENERS
Nails and Their Uses—Continued

Annular drywall: attaching drywall to

framing with extra holding power Scaffold: fastening temporary scaffolding

Shingle: attaching cedar shingles

Hinge: attaching large hinges,
such as those for barn doors

Annular hinge: hinge nail with Cut shingle: attaching cedar

maximum holding power shingles in historic restoration

Lath: attaching wood Siding: attaching beveled

lath to framing wood siding (clapboards)

Offset head; many varieties for Screw thread siding: attaching siding
power nail guns with greater holding power

Parquet flooring: attaching Cement-coated sinker: cement (resin) melts

parquet without splitting then adheres to fasten underlayment tightly

Pole barn: attaching framing to Slating: attaching roofing slate

poles in pole barns

Roofing: nailing asphalt roofing Cut slating: attaching roofing slate

to roof sheathing in historic restoration

Built-up roofing: attaching roofing

felt in built-up roofs Spike: common nail over 4" in lengh—
for timber construction

No-leak roofing: attaching and Ring-shank underlayment: annular rings

sealing metal roofing panels increase holding power for tight floor

Nails 553
 Nailing Schedule for Light Construction
Table R602.3(1). IRC Fastener Schedule for Structural Members
Description of Building Elements Number and Type of Fastener1,2,3 Spacing of Fasteners
Joist to sill or girder, toenail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
1x6 subfloor or less to each joist, face nail 2-8d (21⁄ 2"
× 0.113") —
2 staples, 13⁄ 4" —
2” subfloor to joist or girder, blind and face nail 2-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
Sole plate to joist or blocking, face nail 16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") 16" oc
Top or sole plate to stud, end nail 2-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
Stud to sole plate, toenail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") or —
2-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
Double studs, face nail 10d (3" × 0.128") 24" oc
Double top plates, face nail 10d (3" × 0.128") 24" oc
Sole plate to joist or blocking at braced wall panels 3-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") 16" oc
Double top plates, minimum 24" offset of end joints, face nail in lapped area 8-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
Blocking between joists or rafters to top plate, toenail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
Rim joist to top plate, toenail 8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") 6" oc
Top plates, laps at corners and intersections, face nail 2-10d (3" × 0.128") —
Built-up header, two pieces with 1⁄ 2" spacer 16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") 16" oc along each edge
Continued header, two pieces 16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") 16" oc along each edge
Ceiling joists to plate, toenail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
Continuous header to stud, toenail 4-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
Ceiling joist, laps over partitions, face nail 3-10d (3" × 0.128") —
Ceiling parallel rafters, face nail 3-10d (3" × 0.128") —
Rafter to plate, toenail 2-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
1" brace to each stud and plate, face nail 2-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
2 staples, 13⁄ 4" —
1×6 sheathing to each bearing, face nail 2-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
2 staples, 13⁄ 4" —
1×8 sheathing to each bearing, face nail 2-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
3 staples, 13⁄ 4" —
Wider than 1×8 sheathing to each bearing, face nail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
4 staples, 13⁄ 4" —
Built-up corner studs 10d (3" × 0.128") 24" oc
Built-up girders and beams, 2" lumber layers 10d (3" × 0.128") Nail each layer 32" oc at top and bottom
and staggered. Two nails at ends and splices.
2" planks 2-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") At each bearing
Roof rafters to ridge, valley or hip rafters, toenail 4-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
face nail 3-16d (31⁄ 2" × 0.135") —
Rafter ties to rafters, face nail 3-8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.113") —
Collar tie to rafter, face nail, or 11⁄ 4" × 20-ga ridge strap 3-10d (3" × 0.128") —

554 FASTENERS
Table R602.3(1). IRC Fastener Schedule for Structural Members—Continued
Spacing of Fasteners

Description of Building Materials Number and Type of Fastener 1,2,3 Edges, in8 Intermediate Supports, in3

Wood structural panels, subfloor, roof and wall sheathing to framing, and particleboard wall sheathing to framing
5⁄ 16" – 1⁄ 2" 6d common (2" × 0.113") nail (subfloor, wall) 6 126
8d common (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail (roof)5
19⁄ 32" – 1" 8d common (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") 6 126
11⁄ 8" – 11⁄ 4" 10d common (3" × 0.148") nail or 6 12
8d (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") deformed nail

Other wall sheathing7

1⁄ 2"structural cellulosic 11⁄ 2" galvanized roofing nail 8d common 3 6
fiberboard sheathing (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail; staple 16 ga, 11⁄ 2" long
25⁄ 32"structural cellulosic 13⁄ 4" galvanized roofing nail 8d common 3 6
fiberboard sheathing (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail; staple 16 ga, 13⁄ 4" long
1⁄ 2" gypsum sheathing4 11⁄ 2" galvanized roofing nail 4 8
6d common (2" × 0.113") nail;
staple galvanized 11⁄ 2" long;
11⁄ 4" screws, Type W or S
5⁄ 8" gypsum sheathing4 13⁄ 4" galvanized roofing nail 4 8
8d common (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail;
staple galvanized 15⁄ 8" long;
15⁄ 8" screws, Type W or S

Wood structural panels, combination subfloor underlayment to framing

and less 3⁄ 4" 6d deformed (2" × 0.120") nail or 6 12
8d common (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail
7⁄ 8" – 1" 8d deformed (21⁄ 2" × 0.120") nail or 6 12
8d common (21⁄ 2" × 0.131") nail
11⁄ 8" – 11⁄ 4" 8d deformed (21⁄ 2" × 0.120") nail or 6 12
10d common (3" × 0.148") nail
1 . All nails are smooth-common, box, or deformed shanks except where otherwise stated. Nails used for framing and sheathing connections shall have mini-
mum average bending yield strengths as shown: 80 ksi for shank diameter of 0.192" (20d common nail), 90 ksi for shank diameters larger than 0.142" but not
larger than 0.177", and 100 ksi for shank diameters of 0.142" or less.
2. Staples are 16-ga wire and have a minimum 7⁄ 16" on diameter crown width.
3. Nails shall be spaced at not more than 6" on center at all supports where spans are 48" or greater.
4. 4' by 8' or 4' by 9' panels shall be applied vertically.
5. For regions having basic wind speed of 110 mph or greater, 8d deformed (21⁄ 2" x 0.120") nails shall be used for attaching plywood and wood structural panel
roof sheathing to framing within minimum 48" distance from gable end walls, if mean roof height is more than 25', up to 35' maximum.
6. For regions having basic wind speed of 100 mph or less, nails for attaching wood structural panel roof sheathing to gable end wall framing shall be spaced
6" oc. When basic wind speed is greater than 100 mph, nails for attaching panel roof sheathing to intermediate supports shall be spaced 6" oc for minimum 48"
distance from ridges, eaves and gable end walls; and 4" oc to gable end wall framing.
7. Gypsum sheathing shall conform to ASTM C 79 and shall be installed in accordance with GA 253. Fiberboard sheathing shall conform to ASTM C 208.
8. Spacing of fasteners on floor sheathing panel edges applies to panel edges supported by framing members and required blocking and at all floor perimeters
only. Spacing of fasteners on roof sheathing panel edges applies to panel edges supported by framing members and required blocking. Blocking of roof or
floor sheathing panel edges perpendicular to the framing members need not be provided except as required by other provisions of this code. Floor perimeters
shall be supported by framing members or solid blocking.

Nailing Schedule for Light Construction 555

 Estimating Nail Requirements
Use the table below and the residential nailing
schedule on pp. 554–555 to estimate your require-
ments, in pounds, for the most common residential
building nails. Note that special coatings such as
electroplating, etching, and resin add significantly to
nail weight. Hot-dip galvanizing, in particular, can
increase weight by 20 percent. You should also allow
5 percent for waste.
Example: How many pounds of nails are required to
fasten the floor joists to the sills for a 24- by 40-foot
floor? The IRC nailing schedule specifies toenailing
three 8d common nails at each joint. Counting the
doubled joists at the ends, there are 33 joists, so
you need 3 nails × 33 joists × 2 connections = 198
nails. In the table below, you will find there are 106
8d common nails in a pound, so you need 1.77
pounds. Adding 20 percent weight for galvanized
finish and an additional 5 percent for waste, you
should allow 2.3 pounds.

Nails per Pound

Type of Nail
Length, Penny
in weight, d Box Casing Common Drywall Finishing Roofing Siding Spike
1 2 — — 876 — 1351 255 — —
11⁄4 3 635 — 568 375 807 210 — —
11⁄2 4 473 473 316 329 584 180 — —
13⁄4 5 406 406 271 289 500 150 — —
2 6 236 236 181 248 309 138 236 —
21⁄4 7 210 — 161 — 238 — 236 —
21⁄2 8 145 145 106 — 189 118 210 —
3 10 94 94 69 — 121 — 94 —
31⁄4 12 87 — 63 — — — — —
31⁄2 16 71 71 49 — 90 — — —
4 20 52 — 31 — 62 — — —
41⁄2 30 — — 24 — — — — —
5 40 — — 18 — — — — —
51⁄2 50 — — 18 — — — — —
6 60 — — 14 — — — — —
7 — — — 11 — — — — 6
8 — — — — — — — — 5
10 — — — — — — — — 3
12 — — — — — — — — 3

Note: Sinkers up to 12d are 1⁄8” shorter than common nails of the same penny size. Sinker of 16d and larger are 1⁄4”
shorter than common nails of the same penny size.

556 FASTENERS
Holding Power of Common Nails
The tables below show the lateral (sideways) resis-
tance and the withdrawal (pulling out) resistance
of common nails driven perpendicular to wood
grain.
Holding power depends on species group and dry
specific gravity (see table at right). Holding power
can also be increased by
• surface etching or coating.
Specific Gravities of Wood Species
Species Specific
Group Gravity Wood Species
I 0.67 Oak, red and white
II 0.55 Southern pine
0.51 Douglas fir-larch
III 0.45 Eastern Hemlock
0.42 Hem-fir, Spruce-pine-fir

• annular or spiral threads. IV 0.38 Eastern white pine

• clinching (hammering tips over). 0.31 Northern white cedar

Allowable Lateral Loads for Common Nails (lb and in penetration)

Species Common Nail Size, d
Group 6 8 10 12 16 20 30 40 60
I 77 (1.2) 97 (1.4) 116 (1.5) 116 (1.5) 133 (1.7) 172 (2.0) 192 (2.1) 218 (2.3) 275 (2.7)
II 63 (1.3) 78 (1.5) 94 (1.7) 94 (1.7) 108 (1.8) 139 (2.2) 155 (2.3) 176 (2.5) 223 (2.9)
III 51 (1.5) 64 (1.7) 77 (2.0) 77 (2.0) 88 (2.2) 114 (2.5) 127 (2.7) 144 (3.0) 182 (3.5)
IV 41 (1.6) 51 (1.9) 61 (2.1) 61 (2.1) 70 (2.3) 91 (2.7) 102 (2.9) 115 (3.2) 146 (3.7)

Allowable Withdrawal Loads1 for Common Nails (lb)

Specific Common Nail Size, d
Gravity2 6 8 10 12 16 20 30 40 60
0.75 76 88 99 99 109 129 139 151 177
0.68 59 69 78 78 86 101 109 118 138
0.66 55 64 72 72 79 94 101 110 128
0.62 47 55 62 62 68 80 86 94 110
0.55 35 41 46 46 50 59 64 70 81
0.51 29 34 38 38 42 49 53 58 67
0.47 24 27 31 31 34 40 43 47 55
0.45 21 25 28 28 30 36 39 42 49
0.43 19 22 25 25 27 32 35 38 44
0.41 17 19 22 22 24 29 31 33 39
0.39 15 17 19 19 21 25 27 29 34
0.37 13 15 17 17 19 22 24 26 30
0.33 10 11 13 13 14 17 18 19 23
0.31 8 10 11 11 12 14 15 17 19
1
Loads are per inch of penetration into member holding point.
2
Based on oven-dry weight and volume.

Holding Power of Common Nails 557

 Wood Screws
Wood-screw size is specified by diameter gauge Pilot Holes for Wood Screws
(see illustration at bottom) and by length from tip
to plane of the wood surface. Countersink diameter
Screws are designed to draw two pieces together.
For maximum effectiveness, the first piece is drilled
out to the diameter of the screw body or shank, Top piece
while the receiving piece is drilled just large enough Body diameter
to prevent splitting. Drill sizes for pilot holes are
listed in the table below. Pilot diameter
Maximum wood-screw loads for different wood Bottom piece
species are listed in the tables on the facing page.

Wood-Screw Pilot Hole Dimensions

Screw Size

Hole 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16
Body diameter, in 5/64 3/32 7/64 1/8 9/64 5/32 3/16 7/32 15/64 17/64
Pilot Drill: Softwood #65 #58 1/16 5/64 5/64 3/32 7/64 1/8 11/64 3/16
Hardwood #56 #54 5/64 3/32 3/32 7/64 1/8 5/32 7/32 15/64
Body Drill #42 #37 1/8 9/64 9/64 11/64 3/16 7/32 1/4 9/32
Countersink diameter, in 5/32 3/16 7/32 1/4 9/32 11/32 3/8 7/16 15/32 11/16

Wood-Screw Gauges (actual sizes)

20 18 16 14 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

558 FASTENERS
Holding Power of Wood Screws
The tables below show the lateral (sideways) resis-
tance and the withdrawal (pulling out) resistance
of flathead wood screws driven perpendicular to
wood grain.
Holding power depends on species group and
dry specific gravity (see table at right). Although the
representative wood species for the holding power
of common nails on p. 557 are those commonly
used in framing, the wood species for screws in the
table at right are those commonly used in millwork
and cabinetry.
Specific Gravities of Wood Species
Species Specific
Group Gravity Wood Species
I 0.67 Oak, red and white
0.63 Sugar maple
II 0.55 Black walnut, teak
0.50 Black cherry
III 0.45 Honduras mahogany
IV 0.38 Eastern white pine
0.31 Northern white cedar

Allowable Lateral Loads for Wood Screws (lb and in penetration)

Wood-Screw Size
Group 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
I 91 (0.97) 129(1.15) 173 (1.33) 224 (1.51) 281 (1.69) 345 (1.88) 415 (2.06) 492 (2.24)
II 75 (0.97) 106 (1.15) 143 (1.33) 185 (1.51) 232 (1.69) 284 (1.88) 342 (2.06) 406 (2.24)
III 62 (0.97) 87 (1.15) 117 (1.33) 151 (1.51) 190 (1.69) 233 (1.88) 280 (2.06) 332 (2.24)
IV 48 (0.97) 68 (1.15) 91 (1.33) 118 (1.51) 148 (1.69) 181 (1.88) 218 (2.06) 258 (2.24)

Allowable Withdrawal Loads1 for Wood Screws (lb)

Wood-Screw Size
Specific
Gravity2 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0.75 220 262 304 345 387 428 470 511
0.68 181 215 250 284 318 352 386 420
0.66 171 203 235 267 299 332 364 396
0.62 151 179 207 236 264 293 321 349
0.55 119 141 163 186 208 230 253 275
0.51 102 121 140 160 179 198 217 236
0.47 87 103 119 136 152 168 184 201
0.45 79 94 109 124 139 154 169 184
0.43 72 86 100 113 127 141 154 168
0.41 66 78 91 103 116 128 140 153
0.39 60 71 82 93 105 116 127 138
0.37 54 64 74 84 94 104 114 124
0.33 43 51 59 67 75 83 91 99
0.31 38 45 52 59 66 73 80 87
1
Loads are per inch of penetration into member holding point.
2
Based on oven-dry weight and volume.

Holding Power of Wood Screws 559

 Screws and Bolts
Screws

Flat-head wood screw Sheet metal screw Particleboard screw

Oval-head wood screw Drilpoint Drywall screw

Round-head wood screw Teks High-Low

Oven-head machine screw Oval-head machine screw Fillister-head machine screw

Set screw Slotted set screw Square set screw

Thumb screw Dowel screw Screw eye

560 FASTENERS
Bolts

Hex-head bolt: Square-head bolt: T-head bolt

heavy loads replaced by hex-head

Round-head bolt: Button-head bolt Round-head,

older design short square-neck bolt

Carriage-bolt; Round-head, Step bolt:

bolt will not turn square-neck bolt bolt will not turn

Stove bolt: Elevator bolt

finishes flush

Lag bolt: Hanger bolt:

heavy loads in wood wood/machine threads

Screws and Bolts 561