Generally speaking, given the abundance of available applications, nails can be divided into two distinct categories: box and common. The former serve a special purpose, the latter intended for more general utilization. Below is a condensed comparison between the two.
Equipped with steel construction and ends as blunt as a hammer’s strike, the common nail is the go-to for general projects. Zinc or galvanized coating covers the metal, forestalling any attempts by rust to weasel its way in. The 10d nail–3.25 inches in length–is likely the most requested size for the common variety.
Finishing nails are an easily accessible type of nail that are made from steel and, depending on the version chosen, may include either a zinc or galvanized coating. Among the available variations of this versatile material, 16d box nails are the most popular; typically measuring 3.5 inches long.
Common nails offer a multitude of uses, such as joining two pieces of wood together, connecting wood to concrete, attaching shingles, and forming walls and ceilings.
Those wood trim and molding elements that keep your interior looking spic and span? Well, chances are they are affixed with box nails. These fasteners are also often needed when it comes to latching plywood and hardboard pieces together.
Compared to box nails, common nails are far less likely to cause timber to fracture or become displaced over the passage of time.
With a smaller head than traditional nails, box nails apply less pressure to the wood, reducing the chances of it splitting or pulling away from the structure it is affixing in the long-term.
Common nails lack the necessary strength to withstand high levels of pressure, making them more prone to bending in comparison to box nails.
Box nails have a higher propensity for bending than regular nails.
Although box nails are usually more costly, common nails remain the more economical option.
When it comes to home improvement projects, box nails cost more than their common nail cousins.