NAILS vs SCREWS - Which Is Best For Fence Building?

Nails or screws? An age old question that has been divisive in the fencing industry. Today I'm telling you which one my fence company uses and why! By the end of the video you'll now which is better... nails or screws?

I'm Joe Everest, The Fence Expert. On this channel, I'm going to teach you everything there is to know about fences. We're going to show you how to build a fence, everything about fence posts, different fence installation methods and much, much more. If you're wanting to become a fence builder, or if you're just trying to build a DIY fence, my channel will help you out. So subscribe and ring the bell icon, that way you don't miss any of my fence videos!

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[RedChief]

As a DIY'r, I would go with screws; specifically a screw with a star/torxx head (not phillips) that I will drive w/ a impact driver.

[rjdestiny-mxir]

Ring shank nails for the stringers and screws for the picket. I prefer screws for the pickets simply for maintenence if i need to yank a picket here or there because it warped or split then it makes it easier to replace. When it comes to factoring for production then nails will always win. But most of us watching are not doing fences for production. We are diy'ers trying to do this project as best we can while figuring it out as we go. So production is not normally a concern. Thats more of a business way of thinking. We are simply trying to get perfect results. Also being in the midwest and the four season climate, almost every older fence i see has some issues with nails pulling out. Between wind, dogs, kids. Toys, freeze and thaw etc etc. The fences with nails in my area deff have alot of stress put on them.

[larryharvey]

As always, YMMV but, my experience is this... 600 feet of shadowbox fence. Central Texas sun/heat. 5 years in, ring shank nails were pulling out at a rate of 20-40 nails per year. I replaced with screws, one by one as needed. 15 years later, nails were still failing... None of the screws had backed out or lost grip. Just pulled all pickets to replace and it was well worth my time to screw in all 1, 000+ pickets. Again, YMMV. Thank Joe... You were my guide during my rebuild of the fence.

[kamac]

Maybe not for a pro, but I’ve built 200linear feet of shadow box banging in spiral nails by hand. Simpson brackets with 8d nails for framing rails. Spiral nails for pickets. With toeing out the picket nails at opposing angles, it would be very tough for them to pull out. It was a lot faster than screws and easy to set the nail heads flush with the boards for a nice finish

[gpzjeffrey]

If using either nails or screws, choose stainless! Cedar has a compound in it that dissolves and rusts anything coated or galvanized, leaving ugly black streaks running down the pickets.

[nosvibes]

Hey joe. Absolutely love your content, i finished my fence last year and still watch everything you post, just because you have such professional and educative content. Keep up your amazing work helping people all around the globe
Much love from canada

[PresidentDoochBag]

Other factors to consider when talking about the nails failing or not in addition to ring shank or smooth is the length of the nail and how many nails per picket.

[Jerhyn]

Seven words to make algorithms love you.

[pjpbossin]

So basically depends if you have nail gun or not

[Justalittleoutoftown]

I just started doing shorts on my fence work. The most comments I get are you have to use screws or it will fall down in a year or 2. There is a job in town I installed in 1994. Still standing with boards intact.

[adrianpoe]

What about in S. FL in hurricane zone? I am building just a 38ft portion and not sure nail or screw. I would think screws would be more hard core in high wind.

[ElPresidenteBuzzard]

Can you do a video recommending what type of nail guns to use for wood fences and what size nails for which parts?

[Bloozestringer]

So what size screws (#8, 9, 10?) for attaching 2x4 to metal bracket and 7/8” cedar pickets!

[littleerve]

What if you angled the nails in the pailing, one slightly upwards and one slightly downwards? Sometimes I do that for gyprock fixings.

[ranger]

As a DIY guy... I always use screws. I don't have the fancy compressor or nail gun, so the point is moot with me. Speed is also not a factor. I have never had a problem with the screws in my fences.

[notsure]

Shoot in a ring shank nail, then get a cats paw and try to pull it out. That's all that needs to be said about how much different ring shanks are. You've got about a 50/50 shot at getting the nail out vs breaking off its head.

[DrDocDRM]

any comments on plastic collated vs wire collated using Hitachi/METABO-HPT NV65 gun? on cedar / on PT

[stevietazz]

Depends on the wind in the area, low wind ring shank, high wind or shoreline im recommending screws or even split rail with zero fasteners

[joeharris]

I use screws because I don't have compressed air nailer, only a hammer .

[elishasfire]

Does joe have a channel where he shows putting up a fence or working, i mean all i see is him reacting or criticrizing other channels, maybe his a fake , i never seen him put up a fence on youtube someone link me a video plz