- Vinyl: a corrosion-resistant nail with a 5/16 in head or wider, centred in the slot, with about 1/32 in left under the head, at 16 in apart or closer.
- James Hardie lap siding: blind nailing preferred, hot-dipped galvanized nails recommended, stainless near the ocean, and no staples.
- Cedar: stainless steel nails are best and hot-dipped galvanized is acceptable. Other nails can rust and streak the wood.
- Staples depend on the maker. CertainTeed's evaluation report allows a 16 gauge staple with a 7/16 in crown, 1-3/4 in long, on its vinyl. Hardie rules staples out.
Nails for vinyl siding.
CertainTeed calls for corrosion-resistant nails, "aluminum, stainless or galvanized roofing," with a head of at least 5/16 in and a nail at least 1-1/2 in long. Its ICC-ES evaluation report, ESR-1066, adds a 0.120 in shank. Gentek's Canadian guide asks for the same 5/16 in (8 mm) head.
Length is set by penetration. The Vinyl Siding Institute asks for 1-1/4 in in total through sheathing and framing, or the siding maker's figure. ESR-1066 asks for 3/4 in into the framing over wood-based sheathing and 1-1/4 in into framing over other sheathing.
Vinyl is hung, not nailed tight. Drive the nail in the centre of the slot and leave about 1/32 in, the thickness of a dime, between the head and the nail hem so the panel can move. Space nails no more than 16 in apart on siding and 8 in to 12 in on accessories, and do not face-nail through the panel except for the one nail at the top of a gable.
Nails for James Hardie fiber cement.
Hardie prefers blind nailing, where the plank is fastened only at the top edge. Face nailing is for high-wind areas where the code requires it, and the two are not mixed on one wall.
Hardie's 2016 US instructions list two blind nails for wood framing: a siding nail with a 0.09 in shank, 0.221 in head and 2 in length, or an 11 gauge roofing nail with a 0.121 in shank, 0.371 in head and 1-1/4 in length. Studs run no more than 24 in apart. Drive heads snug to the plank, not sunk. If a nail countersinks, fill the hole and add a nail.
On coating, Hardie recommends hot-dipped galvanized nails and says electrogalvanized nails are "acceptable but may exhibit premature corrosion." Near the ocean, large bodies of water or in very humid climates it recommends stainless steel. It rules out aluminum fasteners, staples and clipped-head nails.
In Canada, Hardie's CCMC evaluation (12678-R) requires corrosion-resistant fasteners and carries its own nail table, which takes precedence where it differs from the instructions. Check the current edition of the instructions for your region before you set up the guns.
Nails for cedar and wood siding.
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association lists hot-dipped galvanized, aluminum and stainless steel nails as corrosion-resistant and says other nails can rust and react with the cedar's natural oils, leaving stains and streaks. Copper reacts with cedar too.
Stainless is its first choice, especially under a transparent stain: type 304 for general work and 316 near the sea. It recommends splitless siding nails, ring or spiral shanks for holding power, at least 1-1/4 in of penetration, and nails at every stud or furring strip, no more than 24 in apart.
Can you staple siding?
Only where the siding maker allows it. CertainTeed's ESR-1066 allows corrosion-resistant staples on its vinyl at 16 gauge, a 7/16 in crown, at least 1-3/4 in long, with 3/4 in into the framing. A lighter staple, such as 18 gauge, falls short of that spec.
James Hardie says not to use staples on its lap siding. The cedar association's siding guidance covers nails only.
Siding fasteners by cladding, from the makers' instructions, evaluation reports and trade association guides.
| Cladding | Nail | Coating | Spacing | Staples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl (CertainTeed, Gentek, VSI) | Roofing nail, 5/16 in head or wider; CertainTeed sets 1-1/2 in long or longer | Aluminum, stainless or galvanized (CertainTeed) | 16 in max; 8 in to 12 in on accessories (VSI) | Maker by maker (CertainTeed: 16 ga, 7/16 in crown) |
| Fiber cement (James Hardie, 2016 US) | 2 in siding nail or 1-1/4 in 11 ga roofing nail, blind nailed | Hot-dipped galvanized recommended; stainless near the ocean | Into each stud, 24 in max | No |
| Cedar (WRCLA) | Splitless siding nail, ring or spiral shank, 1-1/4 in penetration | Stainless best; hot-dipped galvanized acceptable | Every stud or furring strip, 24 in max | Not covered |
Common questions.
- What nails do you use for vinyl siding?
- Corrosion-resistant roofing nails, aluminum, stainless or galvanized, with a head of at least 5/16 in and long enough to reach 1-1/4 in into sheathing and framing. CertainTeed sets the minimum length at 1-1/2 in.
- What nails does James Hardie siding need?
- Hardie's 2016 US instructions list a 2 in siding nail or a 1-1/4 in 11 gauge roofing nail for blind nailing into wood framing. It recommends hot-dipped galvanized, stainless near the coast, and no staples. Check the current edition for your region.
- Can you use roofing nails for siding?
- On vinyl, yes. CertainTeed lists galvanized roofing nails, and Gentek asks for a large-head corrosion-resistant roofing nail. Hardie's 2016 instructions include an 11 gauge roofing nail for blind nailing. Cedar takes splitless siding nails instead.
- Are electrogalvanized nails OK for siding?
- It depends on the cladding. Vinyl makers ask for corrosion-resistant nails and list galvanized roofing nails. Hardie calls electrogalvanized acceptable but says it may corrode early and recommends hot-dipped. The cedar association recommends stainless or hot-dipped galvanized for cedar.
- How tight should you nail vinyl siding?
- Not tight. Leave about 1/32 in, the thickness of a dime, between the nail head and the nail hem, and drive the nail in the centre of the slot so the panel can slide.
Sources.
- Vinyl Siding Institute: 2020 installation quick tips
- ICC-ES ESR-1066: CertainTeed vinyl siding evaluation report
- CertainTeed: equipment and tools for vinyl siding installation
- Gentek: vinyl products installation guide (Canada)
- James Hardie: HardiePlank lap siding installation requirements, 2016 (copy hosted by InspectApedia)
- NRC CCMC 12678-R: HardiePlank and HardiePanel evaluation
- Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: siding pre-installation
For general information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician before starting regular sauna use.
Keep reading.
Roofing nails by the tub.
Crateworks supplies 1-1/2 in and 2 in electrogalvanized roofing nails with a 3/8 in head, in 30 lb tubs, to siding crews in Canada and the US. Send the sizes you run and the quote matches them line by line, or says it cannot.