Types Of Collated Nails For Nailers: Essential Guide

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Quick Summary

Choosing the right collated nails for your nailer is key for project success. This guide breaks down common nail types like brad, finish, framing, roofing, and siding nails, explaining their collations (D-head, offset, round) and best uses. Get it right the first time and build with confidence!

Hey there, DIYers and aspiring woodworkers! Jack Shaffer here from Nailerguy. Ever stood in front of a wall of nail boxes, completely bewildered? You’re not alone. Picking the correct nails for your nailer can feel like deciphering a secret code. But trust me, once you understand the basics, it’s straightforward and will save you so much frustration. Using the wrong nails can damage your project, jam your tool, or even lead to safety issues. This guide is designed to demystify the world of collated nails, helping you choose the perfect fastener for any job. We’ll explore the different types of nails and how they’re put together, so you can nail it every time.

Understanding Collated Nails: What Makes Them ‘Collated’?

So, what exactly are ‘collated’ nails? Simply put, they are nails that have been pre-arranged and joined together in a specific pattern by a manufacturing process. This collation allows them to be fed seamlessly into a nail gun, making your work much faster and more efficient. Imagine trying to load individual nails one by one into a nailer – it would be impossible! Collated nails come in strips or coils, held together by wire, plastic, or collation strips. This clever design ensures your nailer can fire nail after nail with consistent accuracy.

The way these nails are bundled together is called their “collation.” This is usually determined by an angle or a specific head shape, and it needs to match the type of nailer you’re using. Using the wrong collation can lead to the nailer jamming or the nail not driving correctly.

The Essential Types of Collated Nails for Your Nailer

Nail guns are incredibly handy tools, but their usefulness hinges on using the right kind of nails. Nails come in various sizes, shapes, and, importantly, collation types. Let’s dive into the most common ones you’ll encounter.

1. Brad Nails

Brad nails are the smallest and most delicate of the common nail types. They are typically about 18 gauge in thickness and are used for more fine-detail work. Because they are so thin, they leave very small holes that are easy to conceal. This makes them ideal for trim work, delicate molding, wainscoting, and other projects where a nearly invisible fastener is desired.

Brad Nail Collation:

  • Strips: Brad nails are almost always supplied in straight strips, typically held together by glue or a very fine plastic.
  • Angle: They are often collated at a 0-degree angle (straight) or a very slight angle, designed for specific brad nailers.

When to Use Brad Nails:

  • Attaching small decorative trim.
  • Securing interior molding and baseboards.
  • Assembling small cabinets or drawers.
  • Hobbyist woodworking and craft projects.

2. Finish Nails

Finish nails are a step up in size and strength from brad nails. They are usually 15 or 16 gauge. The key difference from brad nails is their slightly larger head, which provides more holding power. They are perfect for installing trim, baseboards, crown molding, and door casings where a secure hold is needed, but you still want the nail head to be relatively discreet.

Finish Nail Collation:

  • Strips: Like brad nails, finish nails come in straight strips.
  • Angle: They can be collated at different angles. Common ones include:
    • 0-degree (Straight): For nailers that accept straight strips.
    • 15-degree: These are popular and used in many finish nailers, often with wire collation.
    • 20-degree: Another common angle, sometimes utilizing plastic collation.

When to Use Finish Nails:

  • Installing baseboards and molding.
  • Attaching door and window casings.
  • Securing chair rails.
  • Building furniture where clean lines and good hold are important.

3. Framing Nails

When you think of construction, you’re likely thinking of framing nails. These are the heavy-duty workhorses used for structural applications. They are much thicker (typically 8 to 12 gauge) and longer than brad or finish nails, and they have larger heads to provide maximum shear strength and holding power. Framing nails are essential for building the skeletal structure of a house, decks, fences, and other heavy-duty projects.

Framing Nail Collation:

Framing nails are almost always collated at an angle to allow the nail gun to drive them effectively while positioning the nail head to sit flush or slightly countersunk.

  • Angle:
    • 21-degree (Plastic Collated): These are very common. The plastic coating helps them slide easily and the angled strips allow for easy feeding into the nailer. The plastic also helps seal the hole slightly.
    • 28-degree (Paper Collated): Another popular choice, often seen in construction. The paper sticks help keep the nails together, but they can be less weather-resistant than plastic. The angle is designed to keep the nail heads from overlapping too much, allowing for a more compact magazine.
    • 30-degree (Plastic Collated): Less common than 21-degree, but still used for framing applications.
  • Head Shape: Framing nails come with different head shapes, which is crucial for codes and specific applications:
    • Full Round Head: These are the strongest and offer the best holding power. They are required by many building codes for structural framing because they prevent the nail from pulling through the wood.
    • D-Head (or Offset Nail): These have a flat side, allowing more nails to fit into a nail gun magazine compared to full round heads. They still offer good holding power and meet many building code requirements.
    • Round Head: A general term that can sometimes refer to full round heads or slightly modified round heads.

When to Use Framing Nails:

  • Building wall frames and stud walls.
  • Constructing floor joists and roof rafters.
  • Assembling decks and pergolas.
  • Fencing and outdoor structures.

4. Roofing Nails

As their name suggests, roofing nails are specifically designed for attaching shingles, felt, and other roofing materials. They have a large, flat head that effectively secures the roofing material without tearing it. The shafts are smooth or sometimes barbed for better grip, and they are usually galvanized to resist rust and corrosion, which is vital for outdoor exposure.

Roofing Nail Collation:

  • Coils: Roofing nails are most commonly found in coils. This means the nails are joined in a spiraling wire or plastic strip, forming a circular pack. This coil format allows the nail gun to hold more nails, meaning fewer reloads during large roofing jobs.
  • Angle: Coil nails are typically collated at a steep angle (often around 15 degrees) to fit neatly into the coil nailer magazine.
  • Head: They feature broad, flat heads, often around 1 inch in diameter.

When to Use Roofing Nails:

  • Attaching asphalt shingles.
  • Securing roofing felt or underlayment.
  • Installing metal roofing panels.

5. Siding Nails

Siding nails are designed for attaching various types of exterior siding, such as wood clapboard, cedar shakes, and fiber cement boards. They need to be strong enough to hold the siding securely against wind and weather, but with a head that is large enough to prevent the siding from pulling through, yet small enough to be discreet or easily covered by subsequent materials.

Siding Nail Collation:

  • Strips: Siding nails are typically supplied in strips.
  • Angle: They often come collated at a 15 or 30-degree angle, depending on the nailer. Plastic collation is common for its weather resistance.
  • Head: These nails usually have a medium-sized head, sometimes slightly flattened or with a distinct collar, offering a good balance between holding power and aesthetics.

When to Use Siding Nails:

  • Installing wood siding.
  • Attaching fiber cement siding.
  • Fastening cedar shakes.

Collation Types: Angles and Head Shapes Explained

When you look at a box of nails, beyond the size and type, you’ll see references to their collation. This refers to how the nails are held together and the angle at which they are presented to the nailer. Matching the collation to your nailer is absolutely critical for its proper function.

Nail Head Shapes

The very top of the nail, the head, is designed for different purposes:

  • Full Round Head: The classic nail head. Offers the best holding power and is often required by professional building codes for structural integrity.
  • D-Head (or Offset Head): This head is flat on one side, resembling the letter “D” when viewed from the side. This allows more nails to be packed into the nailer’s magazine, making it more compact. They offer excellent holding power and are widely accepted for framing.
  • Brad Head: Very small and minimal, designed to be almost invisible.
  • Finish Head: Slightly larger than a brad head but smaller than a framing nail head, designed for a balance of holding power and discreet appearance.
  • Roofing Head: Large and flat to distribute pressure over a wide area of roofing material.

Nail Angle (Collation Angle)

This is perhaps the most important factor for collation. The angle refers to how the nails are oriented in the strip or coil relative to the collation material (wire, plastic, paper). Nailers are designed to accept a specific angle. Using the wrong angle will cause the nailer to jam.

  • 0-Degree (Straight): Nails are in a straight line. Common for brad and finish nailers.
  • 15-Degree: Nails are angled at 15 degrees. Often used for finish nails and coil-fed roofing nails.
  • 20-Degree: Another common angle for finish nailers.
  • 21-Degree: Very common for plastic-collated framing nails.
  • 28-Degree: Common for paper-collated framing nails.
  • 30-Degree: Used for some siding and framing nails.

Always check your nailer’s manual to determine the correct angle and type of collation it accepts. It’s usually printed on the nailer itself or in its documentation.

Choosing the Right Nailer for the Job (and Why It Matters!)

While this guide focuses on nails, it’s impossible to talk about them without mentioning the nailer. The type of nailer you use dictates the type of collated nails you can fire:

  • Brad Nailer: Uses 18-gauge brad nails. Perfect for delicate trim and molding.
  • Finish Nailer: Uses 15 or 16-gauge finish nails. Great for baseboards, casings, and heavier trim. These come in straight and angled versions.
  • Framing Nailer: Uses thick, robust framing nails (often 21 or 28-degree collation, D-head or round head). Essential for structural work.
  • Roofing Nailer: Uses coil-collated roofing nails with wide heads. Specifically for shingle and roofing installation.
  • Siding Nailer: Uses specific siding nails, usually collated at an angle.

Using nails that are too large for your nailer can damage the tool, and using nails that are too small for the task won’t provide adequate holding power. It’s a system, and the nails are a crucial part of it!

Safety First: Always a Priority

Working with nail guns is efficient, but it’s vital to remember they are powerful tools. Always follow these safety principles:

  • Read Your Manual: Understand your nailer’s operation and safety features.
  • Wear Eye Protection: Safety glasses are non-negotiable.
  • Never Point at People: Treat every nail gun as if it were loaded.
  • Keep Fingers Away from the Trigger: Don’t rest your finger on the trigger unless you intend to fire.
  • Disconnect Power When Not in Use/Clearing Jams: Unplug air hoses or remove batteries before maintenance.
  • Ensure Correct Nail Type: Using the wrong nail can cause jams and potential injury.

For more on safe tool operation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides excellent resources on powered tool safety.

When to Use Nails vs. Screws

This is a common question for DIYers! While nail guns offer speed, screws provide superior holding power and are better for applications where disassembly might be needed or where stress forces are high. Generally:

  • Nails: Best for speed, framing, attaching trim where aesthetics are key, and applications where instant, strong holding power is needed without the need for future disassembly.
  • Screws: Better for cabinetry, furniture making, decks (especially where you might need to replace a board), and any structural connection where maximum holding strength and the ability to tighten or loosen are beneficial.

For many trim and framing jobs, nails are the preferred and more efficient method, especially when speed is a factor. For instance, the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory has extensive research on fasteners and their performance.

Table: Quick Reference Guide to Collated Nail Types

Here’s a handy chart to help you quickly identify the common types of collated nails and their typical uses:

Nail Type Gauge (Typical) Head Type Collation Angle (Common) Collation Material (Common) Primary Use Nailer Type
Brad Nails 18 GA Brad Head 0 degrees Glue/Plastic Fine trim, molding, crafts Brad Nailer
Finish Nails 15-16 GA Finish Head 0, 15, 20 degrees Wire/Plastic Baseboards, casings, interior trim Finish Nailer
Framing Nails 8-12 GA Full Round / D-Head 21, 28, 30 degrees Plastic/Paper Structural framing, decks, fences Framing Nailer
Roofing Nails N/A (specific size) Large, Flat ~15 degrees Wire/Plastic Shingles, roofing felt Roofing Nailer
Siding Nails N/A (specific size) Medium, Flat 15, 30 degrees Plastic Exterior siding (wood, fiber cement) Siding Nailer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use any nails in my nail gun?

No, absolutely not. You must use the specific type and size of collated nails that your nail gun is designed for. Check your nailer’s manual or markings; using the wrong nails will likely cause jams, damage the tool, or lead to poor fastening.

Q2: What is the difference between a 15-gauge and 16-gauge finish nail?

The gauge refers to the diameter of the nail shank. A 15-gauge nail is thicker than a 16-gauge nail. 15-gauge nails offer slightly more holding power and are suitable for heavier trim or situations where a bit more strength is needed. 16-gauge nails are thinner, creating smaller holes, and are excellent for more delicate trim or when you want the fastener to be as invisible as possible.

Q3: Why do framing nails have different head shapes (round vs. D-head)?

Full round head framing nails offer the maximum bearing surface and holding power, often required by stringent building codes for critical structural connections. D-head (