Good nailing always keeps boards in place and joints holding up. Contrary to popular belief, however, the art of nailing doesn’t simply end with the nail head visible on the piece.
As the sight of nail heads on the superficial layer of the boards can be unwelcome for some, handymen have to learn ways to hide the nail. Then again, how can they do this without being sloppy? If they aren’t careful, even a gentle breeze can be enough to blow boards off homes.
St. Paul siding contractors like Twin Cities Siding & Roofing commonly use a method known as blind nailing. In this setup, the overlapping course hides the nail, which holds the board, from plain view. Proper blind nailing warrants a nail penetration of no less than an inch into the studs, with the nails positioned 0.75 to 1 inch from the top edge of the board.
Experts recommend roofing nails for blind nailing siding like fiber cement. As blind nailing only fastens the top edge of the board, there’s a chance for the boards to clatter when exposed to high winds. Roofing nails, as their name implies, are designed for use in roofs, which makes them perfect for exposure to high winds.
Blind nailing works all the more for roofing nails due to their huge head. If you want nails with a smaller head but don’t want to sacrifice holding power, go for a ring nail. Its rings along the shaft provide a boost in holding power, making them ideal for installing siding using the blind nailing method.
For the most part, you only get one shot at blind nailing the siding; if you nail too high, it will be troublesome to remove the entire board. Sturdy St Paul siding can be fixed with pin backs. By nailing the butt joints, pin backs can reduce the clattering caused by high winds. However, take note that pin backs aren’t designed to increase wind loads.
(Article image and excerpt from “How to Install Fiber Cement Siding”, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford)
