Using the correct fasteners for your wood fence is key to ensuring long-term durability, strength, and visual appeal. With a variety of fence fastener types available, nails, screws, coated options, and different metals, it’s important to choose the right one based on the type of wood you’re using and your fence installation method.
In this guide, we’ll break down which wood fence fasteners are best for cedar, pressure-treated, and untreated wood, along with tips on choosing between nails and screws, and selecting the right fastener length.
Choosing the right fastener material for your wood fence
Not all fasteners are compatible with every wood type. Using the wrong material can lead to corrosion, staining, or structural failure. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best fasteners for different wood fence types. Always check the fastener manufacturer’s recommendations for compatibility with the wood you’re working with. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best fasteners for different wood fence types:
Cedar fences
Cedar contains natural acids that can react with certain metals. To avoid corrosion streaks and premature failure:
- Use: Stainless steel, double hot-dipped galvanized, or polymer-coated fasteners
Pressure-treated wood fences
Fasteners for pressure-treated wood must resist corrosion caused by wood preservatives. For ProWood pressure-treated fencing:
- Use: Hot-dipped galvanized, stainless steel, polymer-coated, silicon bronze, or copper fasteners
Untreated wood fences
Untreated wood doesn't contain preservatives or reactive compounds, making it compatible with most standard fasteners.
- Use: Zinc-plated steel, galvanized, or coated fasteners
Nails or screws for fence installation?
To use nails or screws comes down to application preference. There are pros and cons to each; screws take longer to install than nails, however, nails are more likely to loosen over time. Nonetheless, screws secure fence components better than nails. Some DIYers prefer to use both nails and screws on a wood fence by attaching the pickets to the backer rails with nails, then attaching the backer rails/panels to the posts using screws.
Recommended Fastener Lengths for Fence Components
Fastener length impacts how securely your fence holds up against wind, weather, and wear. Here are our recommendations:
- To attach panels or backer rails to posts:
- Use 18d to 20d nails or 3-1/2" to 4" screws
- To attach pickets to backer rails:
- Use 8d to 10d nails, 1-1/2" ring shank nails, or 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" screws
Choosing the Best Fasteners for Your Fence Project
- Always check the fastener manufacturer’s recommendations for wood compatibility
- Consider your local climate—humid or coastal areas demand corrosion-resistant fasteners
- Don’t compromise on quality; cheaper fasteners can shorten the life of your fence
By choosing the right fence fasteners for your wood type and installation method, you'll get a fence that looks better, lasts longer, and resists common issues like rust and loosening over time.
Need help finding the fencing materials? Discover a local ProWood dealer near you!