A sharp metal spike with a blunted head, nails serve to attach lumber pieces with each other. Usually created from steel, these handy components are essential for completing various carpentry projects.
Construction requires the use of nails to secure pieces of wood and other materials together. In carpentry, nails are fundamental in constructing the skeletal frame of homes and other buildings. They are also the go-to in attaching roofing, siding, and trim to the exterior of a building.
With a swift thud, a hammer strikes against the surface of the wood, embedding the head of the nail into its depths. Afterward, the protruding section of the nail is tap-tapped down, in an attempt to make it look as though it never existed. This process of positioning the nail flush with the surface is known as countersinking. It’s not just restricted to wood; other materials such as concrete can also be effortlessly penetrated using this same method.
Fastenings come in various usable forms, and each type of nail has its specific purpose. Your everyday common nail is used to secure varied materials, while roofing nails maintain shingles due to their larger, flat heads. Framing nails sort of up the ante by sturdily latching heavy pieces of wood together with their thicker shafts.
Nails of various dimensions can be found depending on the purpose they serve; with length denoted in either inches or millimeters and the diameter characterized by gauges. Generally, nails range in size from two to six inches (5.1 to 15.2 cm).
Steel, forged through the union of iron and carbon, is the material that nails are made of. To further this strength, master aldermen smithy nails with manganese, chromium, and vanadium – elements further designed to fortify the steel against rust.