Drywall nails are preferred by some contractors over screws for hanging drywall due to their speed and cost. They have a cupped head and ring shank, but can cause “pop nails” over time. Choose the correct gauge and length for the type of drywall being used and space nails evenly. When repairing nails, remove and replace with a new nail slightly above or below the old one. Consider having a drywall professional repair ceilings with nails to prevent collapse.
A drywall nail is a nail used specifically for hanging drywall. Although there is some debate among drywall contractors as to whether nails or screws are best for hanging drywall, nailing drywall has been a preference for decades. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of fasteners.
A drywall nail typically has a cupped head and a ring shank. The most common lengths are 1 3/8 inches (3.74 cm) and 1 ½ inches (3.8 cm). They are available in different gauges, which indicate the diameter of the shank. The most common is the 13 gauge. The ring shank helps hold the nail in place after it has been driven through the drywall and into the stud. The cupped head, which is concave, helps hide the nail for a smoother surface after mud and sanding. Not all drywall nails have a concave or cupped head.
One of the biggest advantages of using drywall nails over screws is how quickly the drywall is hung. Nails can be driven in faster than screws, and a hammer is typically less bulky than a screw gun. Drywall nails are slightly less expensive than screws, which can add up when installing drywall over a large area.
The main disadvantage of using a drywall nail on a screw is the inevitable “pop nail”. This occurs over time and is a common fault in older homes. Over time, the gravity of the pressure applied to the drywall causes the nail to loosen and the head to become visible through the wall’s surface. This is much less likely to happen when drywall screws are used. Some contractors will use both types of fasteners, opting for screws when drywall is installed above the ceiling and nails for walls.
When selecting the drywall nail style, choose the correct gauge and length for the type of drywall being used. The thicker the drywall, the longer the drywall nail should be. If you’re new to drywall, ask the hardware store or home improvement store where you’re buying supplies what’s best. When using nails to install drywall, don’t skimp on the number of nails driven into each stud, and space the nails evenly so each nail will bear an evenly distributed amount of the drywall’s weight.
When repairing nails from a disengaged drywall nail, remove the nail completely, drive a new nail slightly above or below the old one, and patch the area accordingly. If you have a home with nails in the ceiling, you may consider having the ceiling repaired by a drywall professional who will tighten it completely by reattaching all of the overhead drywall, rather than repairing in spots. This could prevent a complete collapse of the ceiling, especially in older homes, a fix that would be much more expensive than repairing the ceiling.
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