Is it better to screw or nail a subfloor?

Author: Wilfrid Kihn  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

Screws are often chosen for subfloor installations because their joining strength helps to prevent squeaky floors.

Should I use nails or screws for subfloor?

Nails are your best bet for subfloor because a pnuematic nailer can move hardware faster and cheaper than screws. Also, nails allow for more seasonal movement than screws.

What is the best fastener for subflooring?

Screws are preferred and should be 3/4'' - 1'' long with a bugle head course thread type, similar to drywall screws but made for decks or flooring since drywall screws can not take to much torque and will break off at the heads. You also don't want the screw length to go through the subfloor.

Should I nail or screw my flooring?

If you would like to permanently keep the flooring, nailing should be better due to the fact that it is much stronger than screwing. However, screwing should be very helpful if you are planning on removing the flooring.

Is it better to nail or screw floor joists?

Nails are much stronger in shear strength while screws are stronger against pull out. If the bridging is to keep joists from twisting, then screws would be better. If bridging is for hanging something, nails would be better.

NAILS vs. SCREWS...Which Should You Choose?! (Pros + Cons of Nails And Screws For Your Projects!)

What size nails for 3/4 subfloor?

The recommended size is 8d or 10d nails, which are 2-1/2″ to 3″ long (64 mm to 76 mm).

Should I use nail or screw for sister joist?

Use two 16d galvanized nails or 3.5-inch screws to fasten the sister joist to the spacer and into the existing joist. Add more 16d nails or 3.5-inch screws every 12 inches through the sister joist.

When to use screw vs nail?

The answer is: It Depends. In many applications where force is placed vertically along the installation, a screw is a better choice, but in situations where the force is placed adjacent to the installation a nail is a better choice.

What length of screw for subfloor?

The screws come preloaded on a fastener belt to help increase efficiency when securing subfloor. You can select from a variety of PAMFast screws, ranging from 1 1÷4” to 3,” which gives you plenty of options to meet the required depths for your project.

Why are floorboards nailed and not screwed?

', the answer is simple. Most people don't care enough about quality. They want to have their floor installed or repaired as fast as possible and as cheap as possible. Nailing is much faster and easier to do, rather than individually screwing each and every board.

What is the best way to secure a subfloor?

I like to screw down subfloor using a stand up cordless auto feed system. While not as fast as nailing off a floor, it is easier on the body and reduces squeaks. For a two person crew, one framer glues and sets sheets while the framer fastening can usually help pack material and fasten sheets.

What size screw for 3/4 plywood?

Use 1-1/4-inch screws for basic tasks where strength is less of an issue or when attaching two 3/4-inch-thick boards across the grain. Keep some 2-1/2-inch deck screws for screwing into end grain, plus some stronger 3-inch screws for attaching into end-grained boards or when you need a little extra power.

What kind of nailer for subfloor?

Pneumatic tetraGRIP™ 0 Degree Coil Subfloor Nailer. Our Pneumatic tetraGRIP™ 0 Degree Coil Subfloor Nailer is part of the tetraGRIP subfloor nailing system. This system maximizes efficiency when installing subfloors by driving as fast as a nail but holding like a screw.

What is the best fastener for subfloor?

Cement board screws: Fully threaded screws like cement board screws are designed to fasten subfloors for tiling jobs. These screws have a coating for resisting corrosion that can be caused by mortar or moisture. Cement board screws can be used with wood or metal.

Why do houses use nails instead of screws?

Type of project and tools required: Nails are often used for large scale projects, such as house framing and hardwood floors. This is because they are typically stronger and more affordable than screws. Another reason is, most nails have smooth heads and shafts, they can easily be installed with a hammer or nail gun.

How often should you nail subfloor?

Generally, nails (6d ring or screw shank, or 8d common) should be spaced 6 inches on center along supported panel edges and 12 inches on center on the panels' interior supports, or as specified on the construction drawings.

Should subfloor be screwed or nailed?

This means that the ring shank nail acquires less stress, but can essentially “move with the floor” more so than a screw can. By comparison, the screw has much better holding power, and can therefore contribute to an overall tighter subfloor.

What is the pattern for screwing subfloor?

Subfloor. Screw spacing should be 6" o.c. at the boundaries and 12" o.c. in the field, assuming an unblocked diaphragm. For blocked diaphragms increase the numbers of screws by 15%.

What is the advantage of screw over nail?

A screw is better than nails as it holds the things better than a nail. This is due to the presence of threading in screws that grips the surrounding material tightly. Also screws are easier to control than nails and can be removed easily.

Should floor joists be nailed or screwed?

Nails are generally recommended over screws for several reasons. Structural nails, such as galvanised or stainless-steel nails, are specifically designed for use with joist hangers. They provide the necessary shear strength to support heavy loads and resist the forces acting on the joist.

What are the disadvantages of a screw?

Screws: disadvantages
  • Lower load capacity: Unsuitable for heavy-duty or high-stress applications.
  • Less clamping force: Lack of a nut means less clamping force than bolts.

When should you use a screw instead of a nail?

But screws offer superior tensile strength over nails. ​“This makes screws better for projects when joined pieces are under tension or bearing weight, like porch railings or kitchen cabinetry.

Does sistering joists add strength?

Sistering floor joists can help reinforce and strengthen your floor or ceiling.

When nailing 2x6 inch joists what nail should be used?

For nails, you can use standard nails but ensure you're using 10d, 12d, or 16d standard nails to fasten a joist hanger for interior framing.

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