Pole Barn Nails

[mattan79]

Hey guys, I am new to this forum and would like to say thanks for all the great information available.

I have a quick question concerning nails. I just had a builder build me a pole barn and was wondering about the nails. They used galvanized nails for the skirt board on the bottom but then the 2x4 strapping they used common nails. Is this acceptable? Or wont the pressure treat corrode the nails that were shot into the 2x4 strapping?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My understanding is the current breed of pressure treated wood will corrode plain steel nails like crazy, but I don't know if that's the same chemicals used on pole barn poles.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If you are using ACQ wood, you need to use ACQ approved nails. End of story.

 

[mattan79]

The builder said it is fine because the lumber was not getting wet, it would be dry. Only need to do so if the pressure treated is exposed to weather?

 

[KANSASBOY]

http://www.aces.edu/poultryventilation/documents/Nwsltr-35ACQLumber.pdf

 

[cyamaha2007]

Are your posts laminated or solid. If they are solid you need galvanized nails. If laminated you need galvanized on the bottom skirt board. On a laminated post only the bottom section is pressure treated. The post then is finger jointed to regular pine 2ft above the grade line. If you post is laminated it will look like 3 different 2x6s nailed and glued together.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

The builder said it is fine because the lumber was not getting wet, it would be dry. Only need to do so if the pressure treated is exposed to weather?

He is saying that they won't rot out. That may be true. But they will rust plenty in the first month for sure. It is against code to use anything but thick coat galvanized nails in any PT lumber, or other ACQ fasteners. The only bare steel it is legal to use in a PT structure is 1/2 inch carriage bolts.

Ever seen 16 penny nails rot out in less than a year ? I have, in a nearly new deck. I don't know how much moisture it takes to make the electrolytic process take place and rot the nails, but I don't think it has to be super wet. And what are you saving ? 30 bucks a box for a couple of boxes ?

Just because you might be able to get away with something doesn't mean you should try to find out. No building inspector in his right mind would ever sign off on that.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

on my barn plans the only note the inspector put on there was "double dip galv or stainless steel nails only on any of the pressured treated lumber".

I bought some stainless nails for my nail gun and let them use it on the 2x4 horiz. stringers because they were ready to use the standard nail gun nails there.

they did have the 20d galv twist nails for the 2x10 truss supports.

 

[Pole Barn Guru]

International Building Code 2304.9.5 "Fasteners in preservative-treated and
fire-retardant-treated wood. Fasteners for preservativetreated
and fire-retardant-treated wood shall be of hot
dipped zinc-coated galvanized steel, stainless steel, silicon
bronze or copper. The coating weights for zinc-coated fasteners
shall be in accordance with ASTM A 153."

Follow me at: http://www.HansenPoleBuildings.com/blog

 

[Crawfish]

I'd go around now if the siding isn't up yet, and put approved screws or nails. PT wood can stay wet in the middle for a long time, that combined with natural humidity and I would not want to take that chance.

Small price to pay now...

 

[Thruxton]

I'd go around now if the siding isn't up yet, and put approved screws or nails. PT wood can stay wet in the middle for a long time, that combined with natural humidity and I would not want to take that chance.

Small price to pay now...

Ditto- this is really good advice. As another poster experienced, I've seen common nails in PT fence posts go in about a year. I saw, because I was the one who did it, knowing better. I'm glad it was only a short run... But I would check on the laminated issue- I do not have any experience with that.

 

[EvilWelder]

The price on good fasteners now will far outweigh the cost of a failure later.