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I need to replace some exterior trim and add some new trim for my porch. I have been told by a couple people to go with 2 1/2″ finish nails. Another group said to go with Commons and paint over the heads. I was planning on also using some glue for added holding power.
For siding I have already decided to use Stainless for cedar claboards, what length do you reccommend for 1/2″ sheathing and what length for 5/8″ or 3/4″?
Thanks
SJ
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Replies
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There is a 6d siding nail(2") that I use on 1x ext. trim, it has a smaller head on it than the commons do.
Dave
*Steve: visit Mazenails.com and choose from a variety of siding specific nail types. Also if you glue exterior trim try not to glue to subsiding as all exterior wood will expand and contract with the season; you need to allow for such and caulk the joints accordingly. Lastly, the key to success or failure of any siding project is how well the fasteners hold the siding in place. If you have non-nailable subsiding you will need the siding nails to penetrate the studs themselves, at least 1/2". When possible, I prefer nailing to the studs even when a nailable sheathing is used. Good Luck !
*Steve, I once worked with a guy who used bright fininsh nails for exterior trim work. I questioned him about it, because he wasn't using galvanized finish nails. He ignored me. A few years later, he was back out to that project renailing everything because the trim pieces were falling off. The nails had rusted.Use galvanized nails. If you need a little wider head, try a cupped casing nail. I've used a lot of 8d cupped casing nails (galvanized) for exterior trim when the size of the head was important.blue
*SS nails are the best....Hot galv are good. I use finish nails, siding nails that are twisted, and ring shanks. For trim, twisted nails 6-8 for shorter nails and 10-16 for longer nails...finish nails are great too. A galvanized 16 finish nail is a lot of nail!near a huge rack of nails by the stream,aj
*Blue, glad to see someone knows what a casing nail is, also feasible is a gal. box nail for trim work if a larger head is needed, try Maze, they may have a SS box nail available. Box nail is also what you want for siding. Geoff
*Geoff, we used to use a lot of box nails. They are perfect for most exterior trim applications. The heads are usually thin enough easily nail flush but large enough to give that superior holding power.I'm not too fond of electro galvanized box nails. That shininess often tends to rust. The hot dipped are much more reliable.blue
*electro gelvies are ok for under shingler siding but when exposed for trim should be hot dipped casings or SS ring(maze)
*Steve, In 1964 I put up clapboard siding with 2"or 2 1/2" Aluminum headed nails(box or common, I can't remember) in Missouri. Went by last week, still solid, no staining. 2 coats of oilbase paint went on in 1964, don't know what they did in the intervening years.
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I need to replace some exterior trim and add some new trim for my porch. I have been told by a couple people to go with 2 1/2" finish nails. Another group said to go with Commons and paint over the heads. I was planning on also using some glue for added holding power.
For siding I have already decided to use Stainless for cedar claboards, what length do you reccommend for 1/2" sheathing and what length for 5/8" or 3/4"?
Thanks
SJ