Drywall nails or screws—which is best?

Dec 30, 2020
Drywall nails or screws—which is best?

Nails and screws are, without a doubt, the two most common fasteners in use today. Regardless of the job, you know at some point you’re going to have to use at least one of them, but the real question is: which one?

For many materials and applications, that choice is predominantly clear amongst industry professionals. In the case of hanging drywall, however, the debate over nail or screw superiority is still raging across job sites and internet forums alike.

To get to the bottom of it once and for all, we’ve pitted standard drywall nails and drywall screws head-to-head in the following four categories:

  • Overall cost
  • Speed of installation
  • Tensile strength
  • Likelihood of pop-outs

Let’s begin.

Cost—Drywall nails vs. drywall screws

In general, drywall nails are going to be the significantly cheaper of the two. If you compare the same brand, length, and coating, you can save on average $2 per pound by going with nails. Keep in mind that more nails are required per sheet of drywall, though, so it’s not as drastic a savings as you might initially think.

That said, there is more to consider here than just the fasteners themselves. A hammer is going to be much cheaper than any electric screw gun, even though the latter is a very wise investment for professionals and DIYers alike.

If you’re deciding purely on price alone, drywall nails are the way to go.

Edge: Drywall nails

Speed—Drywall nails vs. drywall screws

Back in the day, a seasoned drywall contractor would have been undoubtedly quick with a hammer and nails. These days though, it’s almost impossible to compete with an installer that’s armed with a magnetically tipped screw gun and a steady hand.

If you know what you’re doing, drywall screws are the much faster (not to mention less risky) option.

Edge: Drywall screws

Strength—Drywall nails vs. drywall screws

There is more than one way to rate a fastener’s strength. While pound for pound a nail is going to be generally “stronger” than a screw of equal length, the more important thing to consider—especially for drywall—is grip strength.

While nails tend to be more flexible and hold up better against shear pressure—or lateral force—screws have much better grip and tensile strength, which ultimately keeps drywall from pulling away from the studs.

When it comes to holding power, screws simply can’t be beaten. If you do ultimately choose drywall nails, though, make sure you select ring shank nails for increased hold.

Edge: Drywall screws.

Pop-outs—Drywall nails vs. drywall screws

Nail and screw pops are the bane of many homeowners’ existence. While the cause can sometimes be out of your control (think locations with excess humidity or the occasional earthquake), for the most part, if you take the right precautions, they are almost entirely preventable.

Remember that grip strength of screws we were talking about earlier? That means there will be less movement of the drywall compared to nails, and thus fewer pop-outs over time—so long as you use the correct length and number of screws per sheet, of course.

Edge: Drywall screws

And the winner is…

If you’ve been keeping track up until this point, it should come as no surprise that when it comes to drywall installation, screws are the superior fastener to use. They’re faster to install, have a stronger hold, and are less likely to pop over time—which is probably why the majority of contractors today rely on them for every job.

When it comes to their drywall taping tools, those same professionals rely on the quality products, extensive selection, and expert service of Al’s. Shop our collection of taping and finishing tools today to ensure a perfect result on your next drywall project.

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