Can You Use Screws For Framing

There is a common misconception in the building industry that screws always outperform nails when attaching wood to wood.

Can you use screws for framing.

Fiasco labs apr 5 16 at 20 55. With their coarse threads screws hold better than nails and have more withdrawal force resistance than nails. Can screws be used instead of nails for attaching wall sheathing to framing. Screws are nice and gentle.

This however sounds like it s a post and beam construction house. Layering as in applying well nailed osb or plywood sheathing to the stud walls. Screws are less likely to pop out or surface than nails when wood expands or contracts. Especially one that sits 12 off the ground.

Nails are sufficient for framing in those cases where you won t get excessive and directional weight thrown in the equation as on a deck. You won t need to bore a pilot hole because these screws have serrated threads. I would never use screws on a shed or wall framing. 16d nails will bend when house framing is subjected to earthquake non structural screws can snap off causing join failures.

They re not structural screws and therefore do not meet the requirements as replacement for 16d nails. Strength comes from choice of frame members and layering. That way you will be able to attach them tightly. Obviously you cannot have a screw that is longer than the sum of the widths of the two pieces you are joining.

If you want to change the ratio of the length of the screw in the two pieces you can use counter sink holes. Framing lumber is typically fir or similar softwood and screws often do not require pilot holes. By the way if you look at the shear rating for those grk screws on the link i posted a standard 3 framing screw has something like 2000 lbs before it snaps. Screws and glue would be a good choice for sub floor attachement but nails and glue will be sufficient.

Roe osborn a senior editor at jlc responds. You can use these anywhere you would a 16d nail so they re ideal for any projects that use dimensional lumber. I m curious what the shear rating at the smallest thread is on a 16d common nail. In other words you can place the screw deeper in your top piece.

Nails are also called upon when securing plywood. It s true that screws have a highly effective withdrawal resistance which makes them excellent fasteners for tasks such as avoiding squeaks. Nails are often preferred for structural joining including framing walls because they are more flexible under pressure whereas screws can snap.