Nailing

Nailing is a fastening method in which slender metal fasteners, called nails, are driven into materials—primarily wood—to join pieces together. The nail’s head remains outside the surface, and the body grip grips the material to resist withdrawal and shear. Nailing is widely used in carpentry, construction, and woodworking because it is fast, relatively inexpensive, and allows disassembly when needed.

Nails come in a variety of types, sizes, and materials. Common nail types include common nails for framing, finishing nails for trim, and brads for delicate work. Finishes nails have small heads to minimize visibility, while brads are thinner for very light tasks. Nails are produced in materials such as steel, galvanized steel for corrosion resistance, stainless steel for demanding environments, and copper or aluminum for specialty applications. Size is traditionally indicated by “d” (penny) measurements, with sizes like 6d, 8d, 10d, and 16d representing different length ranges. Coatings and profiles influence holding power and surface finish.

Techniques for driving nails include face-nailing, toe-nailing, and blind-nailing. Face-nailing drives nails perpendicular to the surface, toe-nailing drives them at an angle through an edge or corner, and blind-nailing places nails to be hidden within the wood. In structural or delicate work, predrilling pilot holes can prevent splitting, and countersinking may be used when finishing nails are required to sit flush or below the surface.

Applications and considerations: nails are used in framing, cabinetry, trim, and flooring. Holding power depends on nail size, wood density, and occurrence of joints. In some cases, screws or specialized fasteners offer higher withdrawal resistance. Safety practices include eye protection and proper driving technique to avoid bending or misalignment.