Screws Vs Nails: Which One To Choose?

Which one should I choose- nails or screws? Should I use nails or Should I use a screw for my work? Which one would fulfill my requirements perfectly? Which one is best? Why were those two invented? Do they work differently or similarly? My mind is thinking about the battle of Screws Vs Nails. If these are the questions you are having before working on your DIY project or just doing any carpenter work. Then, let them say goodbye to you because we are here with our research on the age-old question of Screws Vs. Nails. Let’s get started.

Our Verdict

While Screws and Nails may seem the same to you, you may think both are there for similar jobs. They are quite similar. Both are fasteners. Yet, there are some great differences between Screws and Nails that we should consider before picking up any of them. 

Whereas Nails are famous for their considerable shear strength. At the same time, Screws are famous for their excellent tensile or grip strength. So, it relies on your job. If you don’t know what these two are. Then, stay tuned. We will discuss this too. But, before moving further, we have prepared a comparison chart of Screws Vs Nails that will give you a detailed view of both the tools. After all, we should have a clear understanding of both. Let’s see.

Screws Vs Nails: Comparison Chart

Screws Vs Nails: Difference

1. Type Of Strength 

So, as we said, we will talk about Grip strength and Shear strength. Here it is.

Screws have vast tensile or say grip strength. It means that screws can hold objects with much more power than any other tool. For example, if you want an object to hold the other object from the bottom side tightly. Then, use screws because they are great holders.

Whereas Nails have excellent shear strength, which means that nails are less brittle. So, they can provide the strength that we need while joining two objects from sideways.

Bottom Line: So, it’s a tie between screws and nails as both are excellent fasteners with enormous strength. But, of two different types.

2. Cost

Though the difference isn’t much, nails are slightly cheaper than screws. 

Bottom Line: So, the winner here is nails.

3. Design

The very primary difference between nail and screws. Their design is the thing that makes it pretty easy to identify both tools, whether the tool is a screw or a nail.

While Nails are plain and smooth in their design, that is the reason we can easily fasten them with the help of a hammer or any other force.

 Simultaneously, Screws come with a threaded shaft that provides them excellent grip strength or holding power. Because of these threads, we can’t fasten them with a hammer. Thus, we need screwdrivers for screws. That’s why screws have that cut on the top. This helps to fix a screwdriver in the screw.

Bottom Line: Again it’s a tie as both tools are unique in their ways. Further, both are useful and quick fasteners. Additionally, both need a tool to fasten them.

Screws Vs Nails: Similarities

1. Work 

The very fundamental similarity between screws and nails is that both are fasteners. Both are useful to keep objects together with their strength. 

Even the fact is that many times both can work as alternatives. However, it doesn’t work every time. Yet, we human beings can do anything.

2. User-Friendly 

Both screws and nails are so user-friendly that even a beginner can use them. So, that is the second similarity between nails and screws.

3. Budget-Friendly

Though, nails are slightly cheaper than screws. Yet, none of them is too costly. Both nails and screws are affordable and compact. Anyone can afford them as they are low-cost tools.

Screws Vs Nails: Features And Technical Specifications

Features And Specification Of Screws

• Pointy ends: Screws have pointy ends that enable them to fasten into the material. For example, wood or any other material.
• Grip strength: Screws provide much more holding power than any other fastener.
• Preferred For: As mentioned above, screws have great grip power. Screws can hold the material much effectively. That is why we can use screws in medium construction or even heavy-duty construction. Such as attaching boards, fastening wood decking, installing cabinets, hanging drywall or sheetrock, and fabrication. 
• Straight slot on top: All screws have a straight slot on their heads. The slot is the place where you fix a screwdriver to fasten screws.
• Threaded Shaft: As mentioned above, screws have a threaded shaft that makes them look different from nails. Thus, make it easy for us to identify them.
• Most Common Type: Screws are the most common type of fastener. Further, screws are compatible with all kinds of materials.

Features And Specification Of Nails

• Pointy Ends: Nails, too, have pointy ends similar to screws. Again these pointy ends enable nails to fasten in the solid material.
• Shear Strength: Nails have a considerable shear strength. It means that they can hold the material from sideways. But, nails don’t have a lot of grip power. 
• Preferred for: As the nails are fabulous in shear strength. But, at the same time, they don’t have much grip strength. We can use nails majorly for light construction. For example, door and window trim, roof shingles, framing walls and roofs, safeguarding plywood covering, installing siding, and roofing. 
• Plain: Nails are plain from top to bottom. They don’t have any slot or threaded shafts. The nails are just smooth with pointy ends.
• So, now when we know the similarities and even differences between the two. Even now, we know about the specifications and features of nails and screws. So, now, we should take an overview of both screws and nails with their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look.

Screws Vs Nails: Overview

Overview Of Screws

Screws are special fasteners. We can use screws with any kind and sorts of materials. They are useful for medium and heavy-duty constructions as well. Further, screws have that extraordinarily holding power. So, they can hold any material together. However, screws don’t have a shear strength. Thus, they aren’t useful in sideways fastening work.

We have to use screwdrivers to tighten screws in any material. Because screws have threaded shafts, we can’t fasten them with the help of any outer force like a hammer or any other heavy object.

Overview Of Nails

Just like Screws, Nails, too, are excellent fasteners. Further, they are instrumental in light-duty construction. We can use nails for so many construction works. Moreover, nails have a considerable shear strength. Thus, we can use nails when we want to fasten any material from sideways. 

Further, nails are smooth and plain. Hence, we can fasten them easily with the help of a hammer. Yet, the great thing is that nails are age-old tools. Still, they are unique and so useful even today too.

FAQs

Final Thought

After considering all things, we now know the primary difference between nails and screws. We know where they are right and where not. However, if the question occurs, which one is best. Then, the answer is that it depends on you. Suppose your work needs a sideways shear strength. Then, nails can prove themselves much useful for you as compared to screws. At the same time, if you have work with a need for huge grip strength. Then, you must go with screws.