If you are planning to build a fence, one of the most important considerations is what nails you are going to use. Of course, you will most likely be using nails to attach the fence pickets to the horizontal rails. For the record, the pickets just refer to the vertical fence boards.
The issue here is that there are many different gauges and lengths of nails out there, each one being ideal for a specific task. So, as far as fence pickets go, what size of nails is best?
What Size Nails Should You Use for Fence Pickets?
Before we can talk about the size of nails you need for attaching fence pickets to the horizontal rails, we first need to know how big those pickets and horizontal rails are.
The vast majority of fence pickets will be 5/8-inch thick, so this is what we are going to work with. Yes, there are 1/2-inch pickets, which are much cheaper, but also not as durable. There are also 1-inch pickets, which are much more durable, but also more expensive. The average size is 5/8-inch, and in terms of the horizontal rails, we will assume that you are using the standard 2 x 4.
One rule of thumb to keep in mind here is that you generally want a nail to protrude at least 3/4-inch into the backing.
In terms of nail length for this purpose, a 2-inch nail should be rather perfect. A 2-inch nail will protrude through the picket and into the 2 x 4, over a full inch into that backboard, yet it won’t go all the way through the 2 x 4. For the record, a 2-inch nail is technically referred to as a 6D nail.
The D is an abbreviation for Pennies, which is the standard way in which nail length is measured. Yes, we know that “pennies ” starts with a P, not a D, but this is just the way it is.
In terms of the nail gauge, which refers to the thickness or diameter of the shank, you want to use at least a 16 gauge nail, or even something meatier, something like a 14 or 12 gauge nail. Something slightly meatier is best, particularly if you want a good hold. Personally, we recommend using 0.072-inch diameter nails, which are the 15 gauge variety.
If you are going to be using a nail gun, consider using a coil siding nail gun or a framing nail gun. Both types of nailers should be able to handle the size of nails that is ideal for this job.
4 Things to Consider When Choosing Fence Picket Nail Gauge and Length
There are a few very important considerations to keep in mind when choosing fence picket nail length and gauge. Two of these factors are crucial to the overall success of the project, while the other two are ones that you may or may not ignore, depending on the circumstances.
1. Thickness and Weight of the Pickets and the Backerboard
In terms of nail length, the most important consideration is how thick the pickets and the backer are. Once again, we assume you are using 5/8-inch pickets with a 2 x 4 backer. A 2-inch nail is ideal for this.
However, if you are using a thicker backer, or maybe a 1-inch picket, then the nail will need to be longer, preferably 2-1/2-inch. It needs to be long enough to make it at least halfway into the backer, but without penetrating through to the other side.
You do also need to keep the weight of the material that the fence pickets are made of in question. If you are using very heavy and dense hardwood, you will need relatively long and thick nails that are able to take that weight. Using a nail that is far too thin puts the fence at risk of falling apart because the nails just cannot take it.
If a nail is too thin and weak, it may bend or break under the weight.
2. Fence Picket Material – Hardness and Split Resistance
You then also need to consider not only how hard the material is that the fence is being built out of, but also how resistant it is to splitting. If you have ever nailed wood together, you probably know that sometimes that nail can cause a board to split down the middle.
Well, the thicker the nail, the bigger this risk of having the pickets split, particularly if the material being used is hard or super brittle. As you can see, a nail needs to be thick enough to bear the weight of the material, but not so thick that it causes the material to split.
3. Type of Nailer
You do also want to consider whether or not you already have a nail gun, and whether or not you are willing to purchase one. For instance, if you already have a nail gun that can handle nails up to 1-3/4-inch, but you want to use 2-inch nails, then you have a choice to make. Technically speaking, 1-1/2-inch or 1-3/4-inch nails could work for this purpose.
Just remember that using nails that are too small does come with a certain risk.
4. Visibility
The other thing to consider here is how visible you want the nails to be. The thicker the nail, the more visible it will be. That said, whether you want to trade visibility for strength and durability is questionable.
What Are the Risks of Using Too Small Nails to Attach Fence Pickets?
Using nails that are too small to attach pickets is not going to end well. At the very least, if they are too short, they just won’t produce the hold that you need. The fence pickets may pull right out of the backer if the nails are not long enough. The hold just won’t be good enough.
Moreover, if you use nails that are too thin, they may bend or break due to the weight of the fencing material.
What Are the Risks of Using Too Large Nails to Attach Fence Pickets?
If the nails that you use are too long, they will protrude out of the backing being used. Of course, protruding nail tips do not look very nice.
There are also safety concerns with having dozens or hundreds of sharp points protruding from a fence. If they protrude, there is also the risk that the nails will rust, which won’t be good either. Also, if the nails you use are too thick, you might split the pickers right down the middle.
2 Alternatives to Using Nails for Attaching Fence Pickets
There are two possible alternatives to using nails to attach fence pickets that are worth considering.
1. Screws
If you want maximum hold, there’s really nothing better than a screw. That said, drilling dozens or even hundreds of pilot holes is no easy task, or at least not a fast task. In terms of quality and strength, screws are oftentimes better.
For more information, check my comparison of nails and screws.
2. Heavy Duty Staples
If you have very thin fence pickets, such as 1/2-inch or thinner, you may be able to get away with using a super heavy-duty staple gun. That said, even the biggest of staples will only provide so much hold.
Summary
Now that you know what size of nails to use, you can finally get to building the picket fence of your dreams. Remember, sometimes size does matter!