Fences: Screws vs Nails

 

If you are a handyman or DIY go-getter like myself and find yourself building or repairing a picket fence, you have most likely asked yourself the question “Should I use screws or nails?”.  Read on to see some pros and cons of both that I have come across in my handyman and personal experiences. 

Things to consider

Holding Strength

Screws are generally seen as the better choice when building a fence if price/time is not a concern.  Screws have a higher holding strength. Wood, especially treated, has a tendency to warp as it dries out. This plus normal expansion and contraction of the material, often cause pickets to pull loose from the runners. A higher holding strength will help prevent this from happening.

 

Easier to Replace (Most of the Time)

Nails can be difficult to get out and remove from boards especially if you are having to really pry on it and you don’t want to damage a picket. Screws can be backed out without the hassle of a pry bar. 

 However, screws can become a nightmare to remove if the wrong type of screws were used and corrosion has set in causing them to become brittle or stripped. 

 

Time

For small fixes and repairs, there is not much difference in the time it takes to install screws versus nails.  However, as the project gets bigger and the fence gets longer the time difference will become more apparent. Nails install much faster than screws as they are readily available to use with Pneumatic and battery powered nail guns. This can affect the overall labor price of the job.  But, with the right tools and experience, screws can still be a timely option.

 

Cost

Nails tend to be cheaper than screws and as mentioned above, they can usually be installed faster. This means that nails are usually the more affordable option in larger projects.

 

What should you choose?

It may seem like a tough decision, due to time and money, but let me share a couple of things I have seen when repairing fences. 

A majority of pickets that I have repaired due to pull out are fastened with nails. The nails are generally still stuck in the picket and the picket has been released from the runner. The few screw pull outs I have fixed are due to the picket being rotten and the screw pulling through it.  Often, I can even reuse the screw as it is still good. 

Fences where I have installed or seen screws installed seem to hold up to warping and weather better.  Don’t get me wrong, warping still occurs, but the pickets are held tighter to the runner and they do not fall off the fence like pickets installed with nails. 

My choice will always be screws for better quality over time. I believe they will save you headaches and repair costs down the road.

Either way it is important to make sure you are using the right screw or nail for the job.  

 

For more information on fence and gate repair, check out this article:

https://fixesandfences.com/fence-and-gate-repair-in-elgin-texas/

Give me a call today and request a free estimate for any of your handyman needs, or click the link below and fill out the request a free estimate form.

https://fixesandfences.com/request-a-quote/

737-232-9152