Suggesting right nail for redwood pays off

By Keith Kersell Manager Technical Services The Pacific Lumber Co. San Francisco. Ca.

lll/ITH TODAY'S construction costs as high as they UU 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 can quickly result in unsightly nail stains-a situation that cannot be easily corrected. Since the unhappiness and frustration caused by this problem often spill over onto the dealer, it is wise to do all you can to avoid such a situation.

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 most economical satisfactory nails are those with a double hot-dipped galvanized coating. These are not to be confused with tumble galvanized, electroplated galvanized, or other galvanized nails. Only hot-dipping the nails properly in quality galvanizing materials provides the performance needed. A dealer can be of service to both the contractor and d-i-yer by keeping supplies of these nails available.

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 for application of tongue and groove siding that is being blind nailed at an angle through the tongue.

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