12d Or 16d Nails For Framing? (Common & Box Nail Size Chart)

When a building is being constructed, it goes through many phases before the finished product is reached. Also, of utmost importance, is using the appropriate materials to ensure a strong build. The first phase is constructing the frame, but should you use 12d or 16d nails for framing?

Between 12d or 16d nails for framing, use 3 ½ inch long 16d nails for framing 2×4 dimensional lumber. For other size lumber, use a nail slightly smaller than the lumber’s width. 16d common or sinker nails consisting of 8-gauge wire are better than 10-gauge, 16d box nails, but many contractors will use 12d or 16d nails where allowed because they are fast and efficient.

Framing has to be both sturdy and safe, as it’s essentially the building’s skeleton. When one looks at a building frame, it’s plain to see that wood—or another kind of material—is what makes up the entirety of the frame. This article will explain nail sizes for framing. Consult this the next time you’re at the hardware store looking for nails.

When deciding between using 12d or 16d nails for framing, you want to make sure your structure is as strong as possible. Since creating a frame is work that requires a lot of precision, 16d nails are required.

These nails will ensure that the structure is strong and supportive. These two essential qualities are required in order for the rest of the home-building process to go off without a hitch.

So, why do many contractors still use 12d nails? You’ll find 12d nails in many nail guns and they are 1/4″ shorter than 16d nails. Therefore, when deciding between 12d or 16d nails for framing, the 16d will give you a stronger hold in 2×4 framing.

It’s typical for buildings, houses especially, to be made out of 2 x 4 lumber. The best nails to use with 2×4 lumber are 16d nails that are 3 1/2 inches long. These nails are ideal, and that’s because you can get a nail to join two pieces of lumber well.

Shank length isn’t the only thing one must consider when selecting nails. You also need to consider the width, as the nail width you’re using will in part determine how sturdy the structure is. You’ll need nails that won’t split the wood, and splitting mainly happens when nails are too thick.

On the other hand, you can’t have nails that are too thin, as thin nails will lead to the structure being weak. Thin nails also bend easily, so if you’re working with these, you can expect a lot of bent nails—and wasted money by extension.

16d nails are ideal for framing because their tips are just the right width, and this makes them good for penetrating wood. If you use these nails, you can easily get a smooth entry on both pieces of wood. But these two factors—shank and width—aren’t the only factors one must consider when purchasing nails for framing. The other factors are discussed below.

16d nails are ideal, but when it comes to choosing the right nails, there’s a lot more to consider than just length and width. After all, you want to get the best results, and to ensure you get these you’ll need to make proper nail selection a priority.

The nails you use will determine how strong the structure is, and this is why you need to pay attention to specific factors like the type of nail and nail strength when you go to purchase nails at the hardware store. If you purchase the right nails the first time around, you won’t have to worry about your structure being compromised; this kind of peace of mind is absolutely essential during the home-building process.

Different kinds of nails are discussed below, and each kind of nail will be explained so you know why every nail is purchased and what each one is good for.

Their heads are 3 1/2 inches long and 0.162 inches wide. With a width like this, you don’t have to worry about hammering being difficult. You can easily strike nails like this with a hammer and get them in quickly.

Regarding shank, the thick shank these nails possess makes them strong. This is why these nails are perfect for holding a frame together.

The sharp points they have make them so they can penetrate wood easily, and without damaging fibers. With these nails, you won’t have to worry about splitting the wood. These three qualities collectively make the common nail an essential item, one that should be in any builder’s toolbox.

Some builders prefer sinkers over common nails because of the sleeker heads. Since the heads are smaller, one can worry even less about splitting the wood. One should keep in mind, however, that the difference here is really small. But in the construction world, decimal points can determine a lot.

Most builders like sinkers because they have textured heads, and these make hammering easier. You may be wondering what a textured surface has to do with hammering, but it’s true that a hammer can slip from the surface of a nail when it makes contact; this rarely happens with sinkers. Builders using nail guns also prefer to use sinkers.

Sinkers are also equipped with an epoxy finish, and this is something that common nails don’t have. If you’re building in an area that has high humidity, common nails can be susceptible to rusting. With the epoxy finish that sinkers use, rusting is something you’ll never have to worry about.

The epoxy finish will also make it easier for the nail to go into the wood smoothly, and this is why those who care about splitting prefer using epoxy. If you cannot find good epoxy-finished sinkers, then you can use vinyl-finished sinkers. These have the same benefits of sinkers that are epoxy-finished, but many say that vinyl-finished sinkers are easier to find.

10d nails are galvanized nails that are 3 inches long and 0.148 inches in diameter. These nails work well when you have to join the faces of two flat boards, and that’s because 10d nails are short and they won’t penetrate too deeply.

When you use a 10d nail, you need to make sure that the application area is at least three times larger than the nail’s diameter. These nails are often used to frame roof trusses and studs. Finding these in stores and online isn’t difficult, as these nails have been quite common for a long time.

If you’re undertaking a framing job that requires small nails, then you should use 8d nails. They are 2 1/2 inches long, 9/32 inches in diameter, and featuring a shank that’s 0.134 inches. Like 16d nails, these nails can be vinyl-coated.

This nail size is ideal for siding, and 8d nails are often used to attach sheathing, subfloors, furring strips, and other materials that do not require larger nails. Just keep in mind, when using these, that you need to space them out, as such is required to ensure the nails pierce the studs.

6d nails have the smallest diameter of all the nails mentioned so far, and out of all the framing nails available right now, these are definitely the shortest. A lot of builders consider 6d nails to be the perfect choice for small, often interior, framing projects. These nails are 2 inches in length and 17/64 inches in diameter with a 0.12-inch shank.

6d nails are ideal when you need to join flat woods, and they’re also preferred when nailing into the finished floor or subfloor is required. This is because they have a small diameter, so they won’t cause any damage to the surface they’re nailed into. This aspect is especially appealing to DIYers who are undertaking small projects.

Of course, you could use 16d box nails for framing, and some contractors also will try to get away with 12 box nails. But this is not recommended, mainly because box nails are not as thick as 16d commons or sinkers. Because these nails lack the thickness that the other nails have, they can’t support a heavy structural load. While they are a type of 16d nail, they aren’t typically used for framing.

16d box nails were in large part created to make splitting less common. Box nails are thinner than commons, and that’s mainly because manufacturers needed more nails to fit in their packs. But because the shanks are thinner, they aren’t as strong.

Sure, you get a lot of nails, but what’s the point of getting a lot of nails if you can’t use any of them for your project? It’s better to stick with commons or sinkers, as with either you won’t have to worry about sturdiness, safety, or structural integrity.

16d commons, sinkers, and box nails have all been briefly discussed so far, and that’s because these nails, with the exception of the 16d box nails, can be used to construct the frame of a building. But what kinds of 16d nails should be used for smaller construction jobs?

This is a question that’s on the minds of DIY builders quite often, and in the sections below the specific jobs that require nails, along with which nails should be used, will be explained. Keep in mind that 16d 8-gauge nails are considered by most to be too thick for small jobs, and this is why you should look for other nails.

When you have to do framing for an interior job, you should stay away from 16d nails, as these can deliver severe damage to small pieces of furniture and other fixtures. With this being the case, you should use 16d 10-gauge nails instead. These are unlike 16d 8-gauge nails, mainly because the former has a thicker shank than the latter.

The higher the gauge size, the weaker the nail. 16d 8-gauge nails are better for outside framing, whereas their 10-gauge counterpart is slimmer and therefore better for a small repair, light construction, and interior framing.

If, for example, you are undertaking a small project—like mending a piece of furniture—and nails are required, then you should use 16d 10-gauge nails. Small internal framing will necessitate the use of these nails as well.

Every building’s roof truss must be as strong as its frame, but this doesn’t automatically mean you should use 16d nails when you need to frame a truss. Instead, you should use 10d 9-gauge galvanized nails, and these are not all that different from 16d nails, especially when it comes to framing.

10d 9-gauge nails are ideal for framing roof trusses, in large part because they combat humidity quite well. A roof will be subjected to humidity pretty quickly, but having the right nails in place will ensure that your roof isn’t vulnerable because of humidity. Here’s more on what you should know about 10d 9-gauge nails and why they’re used for roof truss framing.

10d 9-gauge nails are 3 inches long, which means they are the perfect length for ensuring a safe, sturdy, and strong structure frame. 3 inches is plenty of length when you need to connect two 2x4s.

These nails have a diameter of 0.148, making them similar, on a diameter basis, to the 16d sinkers. Using these nails for small framing is recommended, as you’ll want the joined pieces of wood to be as strong as possible. These nails don’t split wood as larger nails do.

As was addressed earlier, 9-gauge nails are better than 8-gauge nails when it comes to doing interior work, and that’s because the 9s are thinner. 9-gauge nails, however, are strong enough to hold up a roof for a long time, and they’re also as strong as the nails which are used to hold up the entire structure.

10d 9-gauge nails are galvanized, and this is probably the most important quality when it comes to framing a roof truss. Galvanized nails are protected by a special coating, and this prevents rust and corrosion. When nails are galvanized, this helps ensure that the truss won’t be compromised, even when it’s subjected to quick swings in temperature and rough weather.

A typical 16d nail is smooth, but with a galvanized nail you can feel roughness if you glide your finger along its shank. This roughness gives the nail more grip, and this is what makes the overall frame more sturdy.

Wall studs are just as important as the frame, as these are the support beams that hold the frame up. They are thick, and therefore you’ll need thick nails when working with the studs. One can tap their drywall or use a special tool to locate the studs, and they’re usually not too far from electrical outlets.

These days, many in the construction business are advocating for double-studding, as this provides better insulation. If you’re dealing with studs like this, you’re going to need 16d 8-gauge nails or 10d 9-gauge nails.

Wall studs, other than providing insulation and support, are what you should hang heavy items in your home off of. You can use thicker nails when working with studs, as splitting studs isn’t all that common.

However, you should not use nails that are too large, as then splitting might be an issue. Remember that the studs are just as integral as the frame, and if they get split then the structural integrity of the entire building could be compromised.

If you’re building a multi-story home that has more than one deck, then framing joists to floor decks will be needed. When you do this, strong nails are going to be required, as these will keep the overlapping floor joists straight, secure, and even.

Joists typically overlap by at least 3 inches, and for this reason, you’ll need 3-inch nails to frame the joists properly. 16d nails are the best for this kind of work; just make sure that the joists are straight and there’s no sagging before you start hammering.

Since many construction projects require nails, and since there are different nails out there these days, DIYers, as well as professional contractors, often have a lot of questions about nails. How nails should be used, which nails are best for specific applications, and where to get nails are some common questions. More of the frequently asked questions are answered in the section below.

If you’re working with hardwood, you should use pilot holes to avoid wood splitting. This is also the case if you’re trying to drive a nail into an end piece of wood.

If a nail is driven against the wood grain, it’ll lock into place. However, if nails are inserted with the grain, they’ll slide out easier.

If you want to avoid wood splitting you should blunt the point of your nail with a hammer. The nail will be harder to drive in after you do this, but when you do this you don’t have to worry about the wood splitting.

You should also avoid putting multiple nails on the same grain line, as this will put a lot of stress on the wood and as a result make a split more likely.

Coated nails are better than non-coated nails because they are rust-resistant and sturdier. If, for example, you’re building a home in Florida, a state in the United States that is under the thumb of humidity most of the year, then you’ll probably want to do most of your building with these nails.

Humidity is one thing that can wreak havoc on a wood structure over time, and this is something one might not expect. With galvanized nails and strong wood, your structure can stand up to humidity and provide safety and security.