Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.

There seem to be at least 4 choices at the local hardware store, along
with rough costs for the number of nails/screws I need.

1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

The local hardware store sales person said I should NOT use the hot
dipped galvanized smooth shank nails as the pickets/rails would come
out as the wood shrinks. He recommended at least using the hot dipped
galvanized ring shank nails - with this he expected I would get approx
8-10 years on ACQ pine if the pine was not sealed/stained after
installation, and 10-15 years if the ACQ pine was sealed/stained. He
also said going up to Deckmate coated screws would be better and
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person said

that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
screws.

I having this built by a handyman who will build the fence but I am
providing the materials. The handyman is suggesting I should use the
hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 1 3/8" for attaching pickets to
the rails. Wrt attaching the rails to the posts, the handy man is
suggesting NOT to use the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 3"
but to use the regular hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails 3".

Any recommendations on which fasteners I should buy and have the
handyman use.

Thanks
Bob

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

Joseph Meehan wrote:
wrote:
Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.

There seem to be at least 4 choices at the local hardware store, along
with rough costs for the number of nails/screws I need.

1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

The local hardware store sales person said I should NOT use the hot
dipped galvanized smooth shank nails as the pickets/rails would come
out as the wood shrinks. He recommended at least using the hot dipped
galvanized ring shank nails - with this he expected I would get approx
8-10 years on ACQ pine if the pine was not sealed/stained after
installation, and 10-15 years if the ACQ pine was sealed/stained. He
also said going up to Deckmate coated screws would be better and
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person
said

that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
screws.

I having this built by a handyman who will build the fence but I am
providing the materials. The handyman is suggesting I should use the
hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 1 3/8" for attaching pickets to
the rails. Wrt attaching the rails to the posts, the handy man is
suggesting NOT to use the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 3"
but to use the regular hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails 3".

Any recommendations on which fasteners I should buy and have the
handyman use.

Thanks
Bob

I have no personal experience, but I understand you really should use SS
in that situation as galvanized will not last.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit


How much are you paying for materials? labor?

How much total $ increase will SS be over galv?

The stainless fasteners will last a very long time & the probable
failure mode of your fence will be rotted posts.

SS will give you the longest total system life, that is, the wood fence
material will be the limiting factor rather than the fasteners.

consdiering the increased life of the fence (& delayed replacement) is
the cost of SS worth to you?


I would use SS (I always do in exposed work), you'll be happier with
the results.

try www.mcmaster.com.............thye might be cheaper than other
sources for the SS fasteners you want.

cheers
Bob

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

Lots of good information on deck fasteners at www.mcefeeleys.com Good
prices also.

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

Check the specs on your PT lumber. Some is better than others--- and
each manufacturer may have some warnings about what fasteners to use.

I built my PT fence 19 yrs ago.

wrote:


-snip-
1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

I used 3" galvanised deck screws to fasten the 2x4 rails to the 4x4
posts- 2 rails on posts spaced 6-8' apart.

I used galvanized ring nails to fasten the pickets to the rails. [my
pickets are 1x6's - 3 nails per picket]

None of my fasteners have failed-- and there is no sign of rot
anywhere. I primed & painted it after it had weathered a year. I
just repainted a few years ago.


-snip-
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person said

that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

There is no rust on any of my nails. But again-- all nails are not
created equal.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
screws.

Ask your handyman-- but if he's handy with a screwgun- and doesn't
have a nail gun, then screws will cut down on labor.

I having this built by a handyman who will build the fence but I am
providing the materials. The handyman is suggesting I should use the
hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 1 3/8" for attaching pickets to
the rails. Wrt attaching the rails to the posts, the handy man is
suggesting NOT to use the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 3"
but to use the regular hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails 3".

I'd tend to go with his recommendation. It doesn't sound
unreasonable [provided the PT you buy can be fastened with galvanised]
and if there is a problem with something coming undone, he can't say;
"Well, I wanted to go with-- and you wouldn't let me."


Jim

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.
4. Stainless steel screws - $300


Biggest problem people have with driving nails
in fence rails is that they insist on trying to
drive the nails neatly, which means in their minds,
normal to the wood. If you drive two nails
at opposing angles, they don't pull out as easily.

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.

There seem to be at least 4 choices at the local hardware store, along
with rough costs for the number of nails/screws I need.

1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

The local hardware store sales person said I should NOT use the hot
dipped galvanized smooth shank nails as the pickets/rails would come
out as the wood shrinks. He recommended at least using the hot dipped
galvanized ring shank nails - with this he expected I would get approx
8-10 years on ACQ pine if the pine was not sealed/stained after
installation, and 10-15 years if the ACQ pine was sealed/stained. He
also said going up to Deckmate coated screws would be better and
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person said

that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
screws.

I having this built by a handyman who will build the fence but I am
providing the materials. The handyman is suggesting I should use the
hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 1 3/8" for attaching pickets to
the rails. Wrt attaching the rails to the posts, the handy man is
suggesting NOT to use the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 3"
but to use the regular hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails 3".

Any recommendations on which fasteners I should buy and have the
handyman use.

Thanks
Bob


For longevity, stainless is best.

Forgot the name of them, but got some bronze colored screws from the
hardware store that claim equivalent to stainless to resist weather and ACQ
corrosion. They didn't break when the going got tough either, unlike some
stainless I tried. Also enclosed in the box of screws was the drill bit for
driving them. They were cheaper than stainless versions, more than zinc
coated versions.

Stay away from nails. These eventually pop up or loose over time on a
fence.
--
Jonny

Nails or screws to fasten fence of pressure treated (ACQ) southern yellow pine lumber
 

Wow, that's quite alot of information! No wonder you can't make up
your mind.

Since it's not critical for safety or aesthetic reasons, forego the
stainless steel screws and expensive screws. Ring shank nails will
hold better than smooth shank, but the handyman better not make a
mistake, they're a PIA to get out. They must be hot-dipped galvanized
since the ACQ will eat them away over time.

And if in doubt, rely on the guy building the fence. I'm sure you'e
relying on him for a whole lot more already.

James


wrote:
Hi

I wanted to get recommendations on what fasteners to use to build a
fence of ACQ pressure treated southern yellow pine lumber.

For attaching the rails to the posts, I am thinking of using 3" long
nails/screws and for attaching pickets to rails, using 1 3/8" long
nails/screws.

There seem to be at least 4 choices at the local hardware store, along
with rough costs for the number of nails/screws I need.

1. Hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails - $48
2. Hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails - $66
3. Deckmate coated (not galvanized but supposed to hold up outdoor)
screws - $150
4. Stainless steel screws - $300

The local hardware store sales person said I should NOT use the hot
dipped galvanized smooth shank nails as the pickets/rails would come
out as the wood shrinks. He recommended at least using the hot dipped
galvanized ring shank nails - with this he expected I would get approx
8-10 years on ACQ pine if the pine was not sealed/stained after
installation, and 10-15 years if the ACQ pine was sealed/stained. He
also said going up to Deckmate coated screws would be better and
Stainless steel screws the best. I was given to understand by the
hardware sales person that even hot dipped galvanized nails (smooth or
ring shank) would rust after a few years. Further the sales person said

that ACQ pressure treated lumber would probably start rotting in 10-15
years.

I was thinking of using the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails,
given the 10-15 years life of the ACQ pine lumber, the screw/nail
material costs above and much higher labor costs involved with using
screws.

I having this built by a handyman who will build the fence but I am
providing the materials. The handyman is suggesting I should use the
hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 1 3/8" for attaching pickets to
the rails. Wrt attaching the rails to the posts, the handy man is
suggesting NOT to use the hot dipped galvanized ring shank nails 3"
but to use the regular hot dipped galvanized smooth shank nails 3".

Any recommendations on which fasteners I should buy and have the
handyman use.

Thanks
Bob