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Whether you're building a deck or putting up new shelves, it's important to use the right fastener for the job. Simply getting the job done isn't the same thing as doing the job properly — the right fastener will create a strong, reliable hold where you need it, while the wrong fastener can fail in potentially damaging ways. Learn more about different fastener types so you can choose the right one for your project.
- Nails: Nails are in many ways the most basic fastener type. Though you can find large nails, most home-use nails are small and thin, designed for use in light-duty fastening situations. You can use nails to hang lightweight pictures on your wall or for lightweight construction materials such as roof tiles. Nails are also useful when shear force is in play. In other words, it's best to use nails for construction framing because they can hold up against subtle shifting and movements between wood beams. Nails don't snap in half easily, but screws do. Some nails are meant to be used with a hammer, while others are specifically designed for nail guns. Check product descriptions to make sure you choose the correct type as you shop.
- Screws: If you need a more robust fastener than a nail, screws are likely to get the job done. Screws are ideal for drawing things together in a tight connection and are less likely to pull apart than nails. You can remove a nail with leverage, but you can't remove a screw this way.
- Nuts and bolts: These fasteners are often sold separately, but they're almost always used together. When installed as a pair, nuts and bolts can bear a lot more weight than nails and screws. Bolts are actually essentially just large screws, but the fact that they're intended to bear heavier weights means they need something to grip onto. That's where the nut comes in. You'll find nuts and bolts often used in construction projects at the connection point between two heavy items, such as two support beams for a porch swing frame. Some nuts and bolts require the use of tools other than a hammer or screwdriver, such as adjustable wrenches or wrench-and-socket sets.
- Rivets: Though they aren't used as often as the fastener types listed so far, rivets are highly useful in certain situations. For example, jeans typically use rivets in places where the fabric experiences a lot of tension, such as the point at which a pocket flap corner connects with the pants. In this case, the rivet is a reinforcement rather than a primary fastener. You can use rivets at home when you need a fastener to hold thin materials together — this is why rivets are usually used to attach metal sheeting to the exterior of an airplane. Rivets are also durable fasteners to use for woodworking projects as they tend to hold up better than nails or screws.
- Removable fasteners: In some cases, you don't need a fastener to hold forever. Most of the fasteners described above are designed for what amounts to permanent installation. Temporary fasteners like safety pins and thumbtacks can be useful in situations where you need something fastened but want to be able to take it apart easily without damage.
When should I use a washer?
Washers made from materials like metal and rubber are useful for filling in space when a nut and bolt combo don't fasten with a tight fit. If you screw a bolt as tight as it will go with a nut and there's still a gap, you can add a washer underneath the bolt to help tighten. Washers are also useful for helping to waterproof fastener connections made in locations where leaks are possible. Rubber, neoprene and other flexible materials are best used for this particular application.
When should I use an anchor?
Wall anchors are most useful when applying screws and other heavy-duty fasteners to a thin material like drywall. Anchors can help heavy items stay put when fastened to a surface that doesn't bear weight well. For example, if you want to mount a TV screen on drywall, you should make sure to use anchors in addition to screws to ensure the screen doesn't rip out of the wall. Make sure to research carefully and find anchors that are both appropriate for the surface in question and rated to bear the weight of the object you wish to hang.