Nails For Cedar Fence

When cedar gets wet it swells.

Nails for cedar fence.

Cypress is a bit more hard and weather resistant than cedar. To attach preassembled panels or backer rails to posts we recommend 18d to 20d nails or 3 1 2 in. Because the fence wood tends to expand shrink during heat cold cycles and humidity changes which cause smooth shank nails to loosen. The western red cedar association wrca recommends.

Choose hot dipped galvanized number 304 stainless steel nails that are about 1 1 4 inches longer than the thickness of your cedar fencing. 316 should be used in moist and humid climates while 304 works best in dry climates. The most appropriate nail for fence rails are 16 d 3 1 2 inch nails. Whether you choose to use screws or nails the length is crucial to the success of your fence.

Stainless steel and aluminum fasteners repel rust and last for long periods of time. Both cedar and cypress weather to a gray shade. The wrong size nail can cause splitting and panels to come loose from the posts. Nails and screws that are for use outdoors must be able to withstand rain snow heat and cold.

There are two types of stainless steel fasteners available 304 and 316. Any nail used in fencing should be ring shank or equivalent. When choosing the type of nail to be used the unique properties of cedar wood should be considered. A ring shank nail has concentric ridges rings all the way down the nail s shank allowing the embedded nail to grip the wood so firmly that it is tough to pull out.