When kicking off a new DIY project, you almost always have to decide between nails or screws as the primary fixing. But which one will you need? Choosing between the two may seem obvious, and in some cases it will, but in other scenarios it won’t be.
For example, what will you need if you’re drilling into brick to put up a shelf? You’ll need a fixing that will bear the load and one that will provide better holding power. In this case, a screw.
However, it's not always that obvious, and there are times when you will need to decide. Based on my years of DIY experience, here's how to make the right choice.
Nails vs screws – how to choose
When it comes to how nails and screws look, it's pretty straightforward and easy to identify which is a nail and which is a screw.
“Nails have smooth shafts and are driven in by hammering," explains explains Tom Armenante, director at GTSE UK. "They rely on friction and wood compression to hold, install fast, and have some flex to absorb shock.
"Screws have a helical thread and are driven in by turning," he continues. "They grip better and resist pulling out, but are more rigid, slower to install, and easy to remove and reuse without damage.”
Rules for choosing
Choosing screws or nails for a project isn’t always easy, but there are some rules and guidelines that can help make the process simpler.
“There isn't a strict rule, but most tradespeople ask a few practical questions to help make their decisions,” shares Tom Armenante, explaining how one of the most important questions is, "will it be load-bearing or structural? If so, go with screws for better holding power," he says. "And, if it might need to come apart in the future, then screws again are the best choice, since they remove cleanly.
“If speed or volume is the priority however, then nails are a good choice, especially for things like first fix stud walls," Tom continues. "For jobs like timber settings where some flex or movement is expected, then nails are also a good choice, since they will flex rather than snap.
"For finishing work like fitting skirting boards and architrave, using nails, usually with a pin nailer, will give a clean finish,” he adds.
Scott Godfrey, trade consultant for Black Hammer and owner of SG Carpentry, notes how, “it's also worth thinking about the material you're fixing into. Plasterboard, decking, kitchen cabinets, shelving and flat pack furniture are generally better suited to screws, while timber framing, roof battens and some types of fencing often rely on nails.”
Also consider the project's weight and whether it is internal or external. “Always consider the weight the fixing needs to support and whether the project is indoors or outdoors," says Scott. “For external work, use corrosion-resistant fixings such as galvanised or stainless steel so they don't rust when exposed to the weather.”
Quick reference guide
Nails | Screws | Either |
First fix stud wall framing | Hanging shelving, cabinets, and wall units | Some cladding and fencing panels |
Skirting boards, architrave, and coving | Kitchen and furniture assembly | Subfloor fixing in certain builds |
Timber cladding and fencing (with nails suited to movement) | Decking (screws resist the boards working loose over time) | Garden furniture assembly |
Roofing felt and shingles | Hinges, door furniture, and anything needing later adjustment | Non-structural timber joins where looks and speed matter more than load |
Floorboards (traditionally, though screws are now common too) | Plasterboard fixing (with proper wall anchors) | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
Tom Armenante is the co-founder of GTSE. He is a product expert and has helped scale GTSE’s strengthen its multi-category tools and product offering across the UK.
Scott Godfrey is a carpenter with over 20 years of experience in the trade. He has extensive experience in both bespoke and large-scale projects, including luxury home builds and renovations.
Shop these tools for your next project
A lightweight, strong claw hammer with a fibreglass core helps minimise vibrations. The ergonomic bi-material handle with ribbed grooves offers a secure and comfortable hold.
This kit includes a cordless drill that delivers good torque, two 2.0 Ah batteries, a charger, a case, and a 64-piece accessory set.
A 32-piece set of screwdriver bits with six different types, ideal for most screw heads. Comes with a 1/4-inch hexagonal shank, allowing use with any bit in a cordless chuck.
5 common mistakes DIYers need to avoid
The effects of choosing the wrong fixing may not always be immediately obvious. However, there can be longer-term consequences, explains Tom Armenante.
“Choosing the wrong fixing can compromise both structural integrity and aesthetics, leading to early failure and expensive repairs. In load-bearing applications, using nails instead of screws inevitably causes components to loosen, sag, or fail under weight.
"Meanwhile, using rigid screws where timber needs room to flex causes the wood to split and crack.”
As well as picking nails instead of screws, and vice versa, there are also common mistakes that DIYers often make that it helps to avoid if you want your DIY to stay together.
1. Don’t assume nails and screws are interchangeable
“One of the biggest mistakes is assuming nails and screws are interchangeable (they aren't),” says Scott Godfrey. "Using nails where screws are needed can mean your shelves, brackets or furniture gradually work loose because nails don't provide the same pull-out resistance.
"Or equally, using screws for some structural timber jobs where nails are specified can create problems because certain screws aren't designed to cope with movement in the same way.”
2. Choosing the wrong size
A common mistake is choosing the wrong size. Tom Armenante says, “don’t ignore the length and gauge of the fixing. If they are too short, they won't hold; too long and it can split the material or poke through the other side.”
3. Not choosing the right finish
“People also overlook the importance of using the correct finish,” warns Scott Godfrey. For example, “Standard steel fixings used outside will eventually rust, staining timber and weakening the fixing.” Tom Armenante adds, “A proper corrosion-resistant or stainless option will work better.”
4. Overdriving screws
It's easy to do, but try not to overdrive screws and Tom Armenante reveals why. “Avoid overdriving screws into the material as it could strip the head, sink too deep and crack the material by not stopping at the right torque.”
5. Not pre-drilling when needed
Pre-drilling, especially in wood, can help with installation. “Pre-drilling isn’t always needed," says Tom Armenante, "but with hardwoods or near edges, skipping a pilot hole causes splitting.”
Key sizes and types for a DIYer's toolbox
The types and sizes of nails and screws you will need will depend on what type of DIY projects you regularly tackle. However, as a general rule, Scott Godfrey recommends the following.
“A range of countersunk wood screws in common sizes such as 3.5 x 30 mm, 4 x 40 mm and 5 x 60 mm, as these cover many everyday jobs around the home.”
These Wirox Universal Screws from Amazon are a good choice, and make sure that you have Rawl plugs to match.
However, there are a lot of options to choose from says Scott.“For outdoor work, keep some galvanised or stainless steel wood screws in similar sizes. For nails, a packet of lost-head nails (such as these ForgeFix Lost Head Nails from Amazon), for trim work, oval wire nails for general timber jobs, and galvanised round wire nails for outdoor projects will handle most basic DIY tasks.
“If you regularly work with timber," he adds, "panel pins are also useful for lightweight mouldings and decorative trim.”
Tom Aramante also suggests a few other options. “Plasterboard screws have a finer thread, for stud walls and drywall fixing. The most common size is a 3.5 x 38mm. For outdoor timber, you might need decking screws," he notes. "These are typically corrosion-resistant and have a coarse thread. The common size is a 4.5 x 75mm.”
The tools you’ll need to install nails and screws
There’s a range of tools that you need to install nails and screws, some more obvious than others. “A good quality claw hammer is the most useful tool for nails because it allows you to drive them in and remove them if needed,” says Scott Godfrey.
However, if you are tackling larger construction projects, a nail gun will be useful, he continues. “Nail guns can speed up repetitive work, but they aren't essential for most homeowners. A nail punch (such as this 3Pcs Centre Punch Set from Amazon), is also useful when fitting trim because it allows you to sink the nail head below the surface before filling.”
For screws, the obvious tool is a screwdriver. However, “most DIYers will benefit from a cordless drill driver because it makes driving screws much quicker and less tiring,” advises Scott.
But if you are doing a lot of screw work, an impact driver such as this Ryobi Cordless Impact Driver from Amazon can be advisable to purchase. “Impact drivers are particularly useful for long screws or harder timbers because they provide extra turning force with less effort,” says Scott.
The final piece in the screw puzzle is the drill bit. But make sure you have the right ones for the screw being used, otherwise, you could find yourself in trouble.
“Driver bits must match the screw head correctly," warns Scott. "Using the wrong bit is one of the quickest ways to damage both the screw and the tool.”
A handy addition is a countersink bit, such as this 3 Piece 1/4 Inch Hex Shank Countersink Drill Bit Set from Amazon. These allow screw heads to sit neatly below the timber surface, creating a cleaner, more professional finish.”
Nails and screws are key components of a wide range of DIY projects. Check out our kitchen shelving ideas, how to install coving, and driveway fence ideas that will all need nails or screws.
