Suggesting right nail for redwood pays off

lltll H TODAY'S construction cosrs as high as they U't are, it is not uncommon for homeowners and contractors to try to cut a few corners. Experience has shown, however, that you, as a dealer, should caution them that there is one time not to get skimpy and that is when the nails are being selected for application of exterior redwood siding and decking.

Proper nails also are critical for use on interior redwood paneling used in high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Saving a few dollars by using cheap, low quality nails for these types of construction carr quickly result in unsightly nail stains-a situation that cannot be easily corrected.

Nail stains are caused when ferrous and other corrosive metals break down chemically after being exposed to water and oxygen. In short, the nails rust and the natural chemicals in redwood accelerate this corrosion. To prevent this, the redwood industry strongly recommends the use of non-corrosive nails such as stainless steel, aluminum, or high quality, double hot-dipped galvanized.

Stainless steel nails are the most expensive, but in the long run they are worth it. Aluminum nails also work well to prevent staining although more care is needed when driving them to prevent the shanks from bending. The mosi economical satisfactory nails are those with a double hot-dipped galvanized coating. These are nor to be confused with tumble galvanized, electroplated galvanized, or othergalvanized nails.

There are also several different nail shapes that must be considered. For exterior redwood siding, box nails or siding nails should be recommended. Siding nails have heads that are tapered on the bottom to allow them to be driven flush with the surface of the siding without crushing the surrounding wood. Some brands of siding nails also have thin shanks and blunt points to help reduce chances of splitting the siding.

Finish nails and casing nails should not be sold for use on exterior redwood siding. An exception to this is when they are used tbr application of tongue and groove siding that is being blind nailed ar an angle through rhe rongue. For redwood decking, non-corrosive box nails should be sold.

Nails should be long enough to provide adequate holding power. Loose nails and loose lumber can result in warping and splitting of the wood. The nails should be long enough to penetrate through the redwood siding and sheathing, or decking ii a deck is being built, into solid wood framing at least I % inches. Increased holding power can be obtained by selecting a "ring" shanked or annular shanked nail. Spiral grooved nails also provide more holding power initially but tend to unrhread themselves as changes in climate occur.

As a dealer you have an obligation to provide a selection of nails that possess non-corrosive properries.