How To Select The Right Fastener For Your Project
For the most comprehensive selection of nails and screws, look for Grip-Rite Fas'ners, the most popular brand of fasteners in America. No matter what the project or what size the job, Grip-Rite Fas'ners has the optimal fastening solution, available nationwide from a variety of dealers and retail establishments.
For the most comprehensive selection of nails and screws, look for Grip-Rite Fas'ners, the most popular brand of fasteners in America. No matter what the project or what size the job, Grip-Rite Fas'ners has the optimal fastening solution, available nationwide from a variety of dealers and retail establishments.
Fasteners have been designed to meet the special needs of projects such as roofing, siding, drywall, and other applications and in many cases are known by the application for which they are intended (roofing nails, drywall nails, masonry nails, etc.)
Grip-Rite Fas'ners' color-coded packaging and point-of-purchase materials help you to select the most appropriate fastener for your project:
  • Yellow - General Construction
  • Green - Outdoor Construction
  • Blue - Roofing & Siding
  • Red and Orange - Drywall
  • Purple - Specialty Screws
  • Gray - PrimeGuard 10
  • Gold - PrimeGuard Plus-coated, Aluminum, and Copper
  • Silver - PrimeGuard Plus Stainless Steel
Available in 1 lb., 5 lb., and bulk boxes, along with 25 lb. and 30 lb. clear, resealable plastic tubs, Grip-Rite Fas'ners has the best fastener in the ideal container for every project!
When selecting a fastener, be sure to consider the following:
1. Determine what the materials are that are being joined. This will establish whether a nail or screw and the type of nail or screw needed
  • Wood to wood or wood to steel?
  • Steel to steel?
  • Wood to masonry?
  • Gypsum board to steel or wood?
  • Roofing, siding, or other specialty applications?
If wood is to be used,
  • Is it hardwood like redwood or cedar? Stainless steel is the only recommended fastener for redwood and cedar.
  • Softwood, such as pine or other untreated lumber? Softwoods are better suited for ring shank nails as opposed to smooth or spiral shank.
  • Treated lumber? Galvanized fasteners are suitable for use with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated lumber. However, many other treated lumbers are more corrosive to fasteners. Hot-dipped galvanized, PrimeGuardŽ Plus-coated, and stainless steel fasteners are recommended for use with treated lumber.
  • Composite lumber? Composite lumber consists primarily of recycled plastic trash bags and waste wood fibers. This recycled wood/plastic material is growing in popularity for decking, door and window frames, and exterior mouldings. Special fasteners have been developed to accommodate the unique characteristics of this material, including composite deck screws in colors that match the most popular composite decking hues.
If steel is involved, what is the gauge or thickness of the steel? Thicker steel may require a self-drilling point, whereas a sharp or self-piercing point may be more appropriate for thinner steel.
2. Determine the total thickness of the material being joined. This will establish the length of the fastener needed.
Examples for determining total material thickness:
  • 1/2" plywood to 1/2" plywood = 1/2" + 1/2" = total thickness
  • 20 gauge steel (.033) to 1/2" plywood = .003 + .5 = total thickness
  • 20 gauge steel (.033) to 18 gauge steel (.043) = .033 + .043 = total thickness
Fastener length for any material-to-wood will be determined by the specific embedment requirement, although 3/4" to 1" will normally be required. Steel-to-steel or composite-to-steel connections will require three screw threads to be exposed.
The length of most nails is measured from the center of the bearing surface of the fastener (the head) to the end of the point. Casing nails, finish nails, and brads are measured from the top of their head rather than from beneath it. Duplex nails are measured from the underside of the lowest head.
The length of a screw is measured from the bearing surface of the fastener to the end of the point. For example, a flat head is measured from the top of the head to the end of the point, whereas a hex washer head is measured from under the head to the point.
3. Determine where the fastener will be used. Inside? Outside? High-moisture area? This will establish whether or not a fastener with additional protection against corrosion and rust will be needed. Outdoor applications and other high-moisture environments will require a fastener specifically designed for these conditions.
4. Determine how many fasteners will be needed.
  • Roofing - estimate that five pounds of nails will apply 3 squares of shingles
  • Siding - estimate that five pounds of nails will apply 2 squares of siding
  • Drywall - estimate that one pound of 1-1/4" screws will apply nine 4'x8' sheets of drywall
  • Decking - estimate that 5 pounds 2" screws will apply 500 lineal feet of top decking
  • Framing - estimate that one pound of nails will frame 10' for 16" on-center framing