• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Backyardscape

Backyard Living Ideas

  • Home
  • Fence
  • DIY & Projects
  • Outdoor Lighting
  • Hot Tubs
  • Fire Pits
  • Landscaping Tips
  • Decks
You are here: Home / Fence / What Gauge Nail for Fence Pickets?

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Gauge Nail for Fence Pickets?

Last Updated November 17, 2022 By Jena Slocum

PinLike

If you’re about to build a new backyard fence, one of the questions may be what size nails to use. You’re not along in wondering which nails to use to install your fence pickets.

There are many different types of nails and you should make sure you get the right one for a long lasting fence.

There’s a couple of different right answers concerning which gauge nail to use for fence pickets. There is the correct size for hand nailing fence pickets. There’s another right answer if you’re using a pneumatic nailer.

We’ll go over both so that you can see which to use no matter how they are being installed. We’ll also talk about how nail gauge descriptions

hammering nail on fence

Table of Contents

  • Nail Gauges
  • Regular Nails for Fence Pickets
  • Pneumatic Nails for Fence Pickets
  • Conclusion

Nail Gauges

When you go to the big box store to buy nails it can be very confusing reading the numbers on the box. What does 6D mean? How many nails are in 1 pound? Are smaller gauges bigger than larger gauges? Smooth vs Ring shank?

I found this article with handy nail chart to be very helpful describing the different nail sizes and corresponding gauges.

Regular Nails for Fence Pickets

Hand nailing a backyard fence together is a lost art since the invention of pneumatic nailers.

I know for fact, it takes me a quite a while to get in a groove when I’m hand nailing a lot of joist hangers.

This is because I use a nailer for everything else since it’s so much easier.

Sometimes though people prefer to hand nail since it’s cheaper than owning a nail gun and they prefer it due to the larger gauge nails they can use.

  • RAM-PRO Tent Garden Stakes Heavy Duty, Galvanized Steel Pegs Rust-Free
    RAM-PRO Tent Garden Stakes Heavy Duty, Galvanized Steel Pegs Rust-Free Garden Edging Fence Hook, Landscape Pins | for Outdoor Camping, Soil Patio Gardening, & Canopies (60)
    Amazon Amazon
    $ 20.99 -17%

If you’re hand nailing your fence pickets to your fence rails, use an 11 gauge, 2 inch long galvanized or stainless steel ring shank nail.

Make sure they are hot-dipped galvanized rather than electro-galvanized of they could stain certain woods.

Depending on the thickness of your fence pickets, you could get away with 1.5 inch long nails as well.

Don’t skimp and get smooth shank nails as they will pull out rather quickly. The ring shank holds much better. Same with cheaper interior nails as they will rust almost immediately.

You can also use spiral shank nails if you have a denser hardwood as your fence pickets.

Pneumatic Nails for Fence Pickets

If you have a large yard or just prefer the quicker method of nailing your fence pickets with a nail gun, here are the sizes you need depending on the type of nail gun you have.

Framing Nail Gun

For a framing nail gun, you will need 2 inch x .113 inch, exterior galvanized ring shank nails for your fence pickets. You can find these in 21 or 30 degree framing nail guns.

Coil Framing Nail Gun

For coil or round framing nail guns, you should buy 2 inch x .092 inch, exterior galvanized 15 degree nails.

Siding Nail Gun

If using a siding nail gun, either the 1 7/8 or 2 1/4 length, .086 inch, exterior galvanized rink shank 0 degree will work. Just know that the nail diameter is smaller than the stick framing gun and coil framing gun.

Conclusion

Now that you know which nails to use no matter your installation method, you may be ready to learn how to install a fence post.

What Gauge Nail for Fence Pickets?
PinLike

Filed Under: Fence

About Jena Slocum

I've been an avid DIYer since owning my first home in 2003. So much so that I apprenticed with a carpenter and then started my own carpentry business. I have built many fences, decks and pergolas for clients for the last 10 years and love sharing that knowledge with our readers.
I love taking a bare backyard and creating a beautiful space to gather with friends and family. I especially love building hardscapes like decks, pergolas and outdoor kitchens that elevate backyards into year round hangouts.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Popular Posts

  • Types of Digging Tools To Use In Your Backyard
  • Why You Should Not Put Mulch Around Your House
  • How to Keep Patio Rug in Place
  • Polywood vs Teak: Which Outdoor Furniture is Better?
  • What to Plant On a Slope For Ground Cover

Footer

  • Pinterest
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Backyard Guides

Fencing Cost

Horizontal Fence Ideas

How to Hang String Lights

Wood Fence Ideas
Privacy Fence Ideas

Copyright © 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.