Nails or screws: what to assemble the frame for? Understanding the issue

Those who are going to build a frame house have a reasonable question: what kind of fasteners to use when assembling the frame - screws or nails? Let's figure it out and determine which of the options is more suitable for our Russian realities.

What the market offers

The construction industry offers several fastener options:

• ordinary nails (black / galvanized);
• specialized nails (brushed / screw);
• ordinary screws (black);
• specialized self-tapping screws (constructional).

Briefly about each fastener

Construction screws. They are also called professional. They are durable and not corroded. The fasteners are reliable and good, but everything depends on the price and the possibility of purchase. They are not sold in ordinary stores and you simply cannot buy them - these products must be ordered. They cost three to five times more than ordinary black self-tapping screws. If the budget allows, then this is one of the best options for assembling a frame.

Black self-tapping screws. This most popular type of fastener cannot be used for assembling frames; at least in its pure form. This is due to the fact that most of the joints of the frame house work in shear, and the usual self-tapping screw is fragile and breaks immediately under a shear load. For example, under shearing force, the nail bends, but holds the load and ensures the connection of the elements. The broken self-tapping screw no longer holds anything.

Ordinary self-tapping screws can be used in the assembly of a frame house, but only with metal corners. The gusset will hold the shear load more securely than nails. A good option, but expensive - each rack will have to be fastened with four corners: two at the bottom and two at the top. And this is an additional cost.

Screw or ragged nails. This is a kind of hybrid of a nail and a self-tapping screw. Excellent shear and tensile strength. They are used for wooden structures subject to dynamic loads (for example, wooden containers). This type of fastener is one of the best and most reliable options for assembling a frame.

Specialized nails are about twice as expensive as ordinary nails. But is such a cost overrun necessary? The fact is that these nails are extremely necessary for the construction of frame houses in regions with high wind loads. There, their use is justified. In an area with a relatively calm climate, this type of fastener is simply not needed. In addition, in case of errors in installation, these nails will have to be pulled out, and this will be much more difficult.

Galvanized nails. These are ordinary black nails, but covered with an anti-corrosion layer. Are they needed in a frame house? If you are building from dry board, then not needed. They are recommended when installing a frame from a board of natural moisture. But even here they are unlikely to be of any tangible benefit.

In order for an ordinary nail to rot and lose its structural properties, a constant supply of moisture is required for a huge amount of time. In a properly constructed frame, where the underground room is ventilated and the hydro / vapor barrier is laid in accordance with the norms, moisture will not accumulate either in the frame or in the harness. And accordingly, a galvanized nail is not needed there.

A regular black nail. With the help of this fastener, they built, build and will build. To build a frame house, use 4 * 100 or 3.5 * 90 nails. Both options are great for the construction of a standard frame. It is more optimal to use a 4 * 100 nail, since it is slightly thicker and less likely to bend when hammered.

How is your frame built? Write in the comments which fasteners were used.

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