Do You Need Special Nails For Treated Lumber?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do you need special nails for treated lumber? For most applications, however,

best nails for pressure treated lumber are either hot dipped galvanized nails and bolts

. For screws we recommend using ones that have a protective coating that is designed for use with pressure treated lumber. one example would be Outlaw fasteners.

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What kind of nails do you use on treated wood?

The manufacturers of ACQ, CA, ACZA and CCA and the treated wood industry are all recommending

hot-dipped galvanized nails and stainless steel nails

and screws with their treated wood products.

What type of fastener is used for pressure treated wood?


Hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel fasteners

, anchors and hardware are recommended by the Preservative Treated Wood Industry for use with treated wood.

Will galvanized nails rust in pressure treated wood?

Can electro galvanized nails be used in treated lumber?

Electra-galvanized nails, which were the predominant fasteners used with CCA lumber, are

not acceptable for use with ACQ and CBA pressure treated lumber

. The zinc content in the coating of those nails is insufficient for long-term resis- tance to the corrosive action by the chemistry in the new lumber.

Will pressure treated wood eat nails?

Simply put,

ACQ-treated lumber is extremely corrosive to metal fasteners

such as nails, screws, deck hangers, etc.

Why can’t you use coated nails in treated lumber?

While sinkers’ vinyl coating allows them to drive or “sink” into framing materials quickly, it doesn’t provide significant protection from corrosion. Thus,

the copper-based preservatives in treated lumber often cause vinyl-coated steel sinkers to corrode prematurely

.

Do you need special screws for pressure treated wood?

Do You Need Special Screws for Pressure Treated Wood?

Yes, you do

. In the preservative-treated wood industry, stainless steel and hot-dip galvanized fasteners are the most recommended options for working on pressure treated lumber.

Can I use galvanized screws in treated lumber?


The treated wood industry specifies or recommends stainless steel and hot-dip galvanized products for use with pressure treated wood

.

How do you screw into pressure treated wood?

What type of nails should be used for outdoor use?

Nails intended for outdoor use are often

galvanized or “hot-dipped” with a coating of zinc

to improve their weather-resistance. ​Stainless steel is also used for outdoor applications, though stainless steel nails are considerably more expensive than zinc-plated nails.

What kind of nails do you use for a deck?

The best nails for decking are

stainless steel nails

as they offer the greatest resistance to rust with minimum discoloration to woods such as cedar. However, stainless steel nails are considerably more expensive than other nails.

What are aluminum nails used for?

If you’re concerned about rust affecting nails, use aluminum nails, which resist rust even better than rust-resistant finishes. They are

used most frequently on aluminum siding or screening

. If you’re hammering into cedar or redwood, you’ll need to use stainless steel nails, which won’t corrode or break down.

Is galvanized OK for pressure treated?

Only two corrosion protection systems are recommended for use with these pressure treatment chemicals:

hot-dip galvanized steel

and stainless steel.

Why do builders use galvanized nails?

Galvanized steel: Galvanized steel is dipped in zinc, which

provides a protective layer against corrosion

.

What are zinc nails used for?

Galvanized nails are used

mainly in construction, specifically roofing

. They get their name from a process they undergo called galvanization. This process adds a protective zinc coating to the nail that prevents rusting and corrosion.

How do you nail deck boards?

Can you use galvanized nails for framing?

You want 3 1/4′′ full-head nails f0r most framing.

If you are using pt wood you need to use galvanized

. Before using the gun see if it is set up for sequential firing or bump. if you have never used one you should start with it set for sequential firing.

Is pressure treated wood safe today?

Can I use galvanized nails in cedar?


Hot-dipped galvanized, aluminum and stainless steel nails are all corrosion-resistant and all can be used to nail Western Red Cedar

. Other types of nails, such as electroplated, are not recommended.

What screws can be used for treated wood?

The wood treatment industry recognizes the corrosive nature of ACQ in relation to fastening systems, and recommends

hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails

be used.

Why are deck screws Green?

Deck screws are typically coloured brown or green and are

made to withstand the highly corrosive chemicals in pressure-treated lumber

.

What’s the difference between deck screws and construction screws?

Why do you need special screws for treated wood?

While pressure-treated wood is absolutely wood, it does require particular types of fasteners that

won’t react adversely to its chemical properties

. The chemicals that protect pressure-treated wood from rot can be reactive and caustic to certain types of fasteners.

Does pressure treated wood react with metal?

If the treated wood is situated next to flashing or fasteners made out of a metal softer than copper—like aluminum—

the copper in the treated wood will attack the softer metal

.

Can you use drywall screws in treated lumber?

Editor’s Comments.

It is a very bad idea to use dry wall screws with treated lumber

. There are certainly ASTM codes which set out the coating specifications for certain types of fasteners to be used with ACQ treated lumber.

Is it better to nail or screw deck boards?


Decking screws are better than nails

when building a deck. Decking screws hold down your decking more securely than nails and will stop your decking from warping. Also, you can easily remove screws for deck maintenance without causing damage.

Do I need to pre drill pressure-treated wood?


If you are not using softwood like spruce or pine, the typical wood of pressure-treated decking may need to predrill every screw

. Ipe is one of those popular hardwood deckings that will need to be predrilled on the ends and the field.

Should you use screws or nails for a wood fence?

Can common nails be used outdoors?

Are galvanized nails good for outdoor use?


Yes. Galvanized nails are mainly used outdoors

(though they are used indoors as well) when protection is needed to make the nails resilient to rusting.

Can finishing nails be used outside?

Can you use framing nails for deck boards?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

Use 10d (3”) or 16d (31⁄2”) nails for framing

, 10d or 12d (31⁄4”) for 5/4 deck boards and 16d for 2-inch planks, and 6d (2”), 8d (21⁄2”) or 10d for railings. Always use galvanized or stainless steel spiral or ring shaft nails to fasten pressure-treated, cedar, or redwood boards.

Can you use framing nailer for deck boards?


The least expensive option for installing wood deck boards is to use framing nails, though we don’t necessarily recommend them

. You’ll see a lot of builder-grade decks assembled with framing nails, which remains the fastest installation method, but can lead to maintenance headaches down the road.

Can you use a nail gun to build a deck?

Building decking used to mean hammering in lots of nails or pre-drilling or driving in lots of screws. It could take all day out in all weathers to get all of the framing timber and decking blanks nailed together.

Using a pneumatic nail gun on decking makes the entire construction process much quicker and easier

.

Can you use aluminum nails in pressure treated wood?

Can you use aluminum nails in pressure treated wood?

Hot-dipped fasteners according to ASTM A-153 are suggested for protection against moisture in areas where treated wood is often used

. Use stainless steel 304 or 316 for permanent wood foundations. “Aluminum should never come into close touch with this wood.”

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.