Bending a screw will often lead to breakage. As most fences are stationary, this may not appear to be an issue. However, fences do endure bending and twisting forces when the wind blows on a panel, when a heavy gate swings open, or when children climb over it. Nails do a much better job of bending without breaking.
The best screws you'll find for installing fence boards are polymer-coated exterior screws or stainless steel screws. If you attach fence rails to fence posts, the best option is external-rated structural screws.
Most fences will be secured effectively using galvanised nails, but for coastal areas, stainless steel is recommended. The salty sea air has a harsh effect on metals, meaning extra protection is needed for a long-lasting fence.
Again galvanised nails are the best to use when attaching these boards, preferably those sized 50mm. As soon as all these steps are complete you have 2 choices on how to finish your fence. First, you could leave it as is without anything else added to it.
Galvanized screws are an excellent choice for wood fences due to their durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. These screws are coated with a protective layer of zinc, which enhances their lifespan and helps prevent them from deteriorating in outdoor environments.
Bending a screw will often lead to breakage. As most fences are stationary, this may not appear to be an issue. However, fences do endure bending and twisting forces when the wind blows on a panel, when a heavy gate swings open, or when children climb over it. Nails do a much better job of bending without breaking.
Both screws and nails are acceptable fasteners when it comes to building a fence. Nails may speed up the construction process and can withstand people leaning or pulling at them, while screws may break due to the twisting pressure applied against the joints.
Screws provide a stronger joint and work well in cabinetry, furniture and similar woodworking projects. “Screws are also good for mounting hardware and trim, constructing cabinets and joining furniture parts, like attaching a tabletop to a base,” says Bob Vila.
While screws are better fasteners when grip strength is needed and nails the best fastener for when shear strength is needed, either one will work in most situations. Even seasoned builders will use screws when a nail would have been better simply because it's easier to remove a screw in case of a mess-up.
Assuming you're nailing 5/8″ nails (the most common size) into a 2″ x 4″ piece of wood, 2″ nails are ideal. Avoid regular 2-3/8″ nails as they may come out of the guides. Since most wood fence pickets are the same size, the best nail sizes are 6d to 8d, and ring stem nails are 1 to 2 inches.
Rights and Permissions. If you do not own the fence and it resides within your neighbour's property, you will likely need their permission to attach anything to it.
Violent fencing actions are not permitted. Fencers must control parries and attacks so that the opponent is not injured by whipping or hard stabbing actions of the blade. If you cannot execute a flick properly, don't do it. Do not cause body contact nor use the unarmed hand against your opponent.
Stainless steel screws
These screws come in many different grades, 304 and 305 being the perfect grades for pressure-treated wood. 305-grade screws are more durable in this matter since they are more resistant to corrosion caused by the preservative in the wood.
Nails are often preferred for structural joining, including framing walls, because they are more flexible under pressure, whereas screws can snap. Nails are also called upon when securing plywood sheathing for exterior walls, installing hardwood floors, and attaching siding and roofing.
Surface damage: Screws can cause surface damage to the fastened materials, which can be a concern in applications where aesthetics is important. Thread wear: Even though it is reusable, the threads of screws can wear down over time, reducing their holding power and making them more difficult to remove and replace.
Out of all the common wood fasteners, nails are the most flexible and are less likely to split the wood than screws. With more flexibility, and the ability to maintain the strength of wood, nails are great when dealing with joints that are susceptible to excessive shifting.
In general, screws have better holding power and superior strength than nails, and they are more easily removable.
Screws, on the other hand, may not be as forgiving, but their threaded shafts hold better in wood and draw boards together much more tightly and they have greater tensile strength. Screws also do a better job of holding tight during wood's natural expansion and contraction.
The hardest part of any fence installation is digging the postholes. The level of difficulty, not surprisingly, depends on the fence length and hardest of the soil. For a short fence, use a manual posthole digger.
The space needed between your boards depends if your boards are kiln-dried or green. For kiln-dried wood, leave about 1/16th of an inch, and for green wood go snug, but not overly tight.