Flooring Nails: Product Guide

Shank of Nail

The shank is the shaft of the nail, the portion that exists between the head and the point. The shank provides most of the holding power of the nail. The shape of a nail’s shank varies depending on the nail’s purpose.

Type	Features	Uses
Smooth Shank	The smoothness of the shank makes it easier to drive these nails into hard materials like concrete than a ring or spiral shank, and will not create an oversized hole as other shank styles will.	Smooth shank nails are the best choice for concrete substrates. May also be used for wood substrates when strength is not the most important factor (e.g., as finish and stay nails).
Ring Shank	As the ring shank is driven into wood, the wood tightens its grip on the barbed rings, preventing the nail from coming loose under stress.	The ring shank is the best choice in wood and plywood substrates, where the barbed rings hold the material firmly.
Spiral Shank	As the shank enters the substrate, it drills a screw shaped hole for better grip, preventing the nail from coming loose and the substrate from crumbling around the nail.	The spiral shank is the best choice for use in lightweight concrete (such as elasticel or acoustical concrete) and OSB and particleboard substrates, where a ring shank nail would make an oversized hole in the materials.
Fluted Shank	A fluted shank is a compromise between a smooth and spiral shank. It has 20% more surface area, creating more holding power than a smooth shank. Yet, its vertical flutes prevent oversized holes.	Use a nail with a fluted shank in concrete floors for added strength, as well as in predrilled holes to put less stress on surrounding material, preventing the “chip out” effect.

The strength of a 1-1/4 inch 13 gauge ring shank nail is compared to the strength of a 1-1/4 inch 13 gauge blue plasterboard nail. The ring shank provides approximately 25% more holding power than a smooth shank.