8 Expert Facts on Strip Nails for Smarter Fastening Choices

Are you sure you’re using the right nails for your framing projects? Do you know why contractors choose strip nails over loose nails? In modern construction, efficiency, holding power, and tool compatibility all depend on selecting the correct collated nail.

Strip nails—fasteners designed for framing nailers—are engineered to improve speed and consistency on the jobsite. They are widely used in framing, decking, roofing, flooring, and exterior sheathing, offering the balance of strength and productivity that professionals demand.

In this article, we will introduce the main types of strip nails, compare their characteristics, and outline the key factors to consider when selecting the best collated nail for your projects.

What are Strip Nails?

Strip nails are type of collated nail specially designed for use in framing nailers. Unlike loose nails that are driver one at a time, strip nails are joined together in a straight line－or “strip”－using materials such as plastic, paper, or wire weld. This collated design allows contractors to load multiple nails into the nailer at once, greatly improving efficiency on construction sites.

Strip nails are widely used in structural framing, decking, roofing, flooring, and exterior sheathing. They provide the holding power and speed required for professional carpentry and large-scale building projects. Depending on the application and jobsite needs, strip nails are available in different collation variations are engineered to match specific framing nailers and ensure reliable fastening performance.

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Types of Strip Nails

Strip Nails come in several collation styles, each offering distinct advantages depending on the jobsite and tool requirements. The three most common options are plastic collated strip nails, paper collated strip nails, and wire collated strip nails. Choosing the right collation ensures smooth nail feeding, minimal jamming, and clean results in demanding construction applications.

Plastic Strip Collated Nails

Plastic strip collated nails are held together by a high-strength plastic strip and are widely used in structural framing applications. They are typically manufactured with a full round head and are most commonly available in 21-degree collation, with some regional variations using 17-degree collation.

The full round head design requires greater spacing between nails in the strip. To accommodate this, the plastic carrier is engineered to fracture cleanly during firing, ensuring smooth nail feeding. Plastic strip collation is widely used for framing, decking, and sheathing, but contractors should be aware that the plastic material can deform under prolonged exposure to high heat, which may affect strip integrity. In addition, plastic collation may leave behind small fragments on the jobsite. This is usually acceptable in exterior or structural work but less suitable for interior finishing projects.

Paper Strip Collated Nails

Paper strip collated nails are fastened together by durable adhesive paper tape. This collation method allows the nails to be positioned more closely together, which means a higher nail count can be loaded per strip compared with plastic collation. As a result, contractors benefit from fewer reloads and increased productivity on the jobsite.

Paper strip nails are most commonly available with clipped heads or offset full round heads, providing strong holding power while meeting various building code requirements. They are typically collated at 28-degree, 31-degree, or 34-degree, depending on the nailer types and regional standards. Another advantage is that paper collation produces no plastic residue, making it well-suited for interior framing and applications where cleanliness is important. However, they must be stored properly to avoid moisture damage, since wet paper collation can compromise performance.

Wire Strip Collated Nails

Wire strip collated nails—sometimes referred to as wire weld collated nails—are joined together with thin welded wire strips. This type of collation provides exceptional strength and durability, making it especially well-suited for demanding construction environments. They are most commonly available in 28-degree and 34-degree collation, which correspond to specific framing nailer designs.

Because the welded wire is not affected by humidity or temperature changes, wire collated strip nails are especially reliable in rugged outdoor conditions and on jobsites exposed to moisture. The welded collation also provides excellent strip strength during handling and loading, reducing the chance of nails breaking loose before firing. They are frequently used for heavy-duty framing, wall and roof sheathing, decking, and subfloor installation, where long-term holding power and consistent driving performance are critical. Contractors should note that small metal wire fragments may remain on the jobsite after firing, which is acceptable in exterior or structural applications but less suitable for interior finishing work.

Comparison Chart for Strip Nails

Consideration of Choosing a Strip Nails

Selecting the right strip nails is not only about size and length—it involves evaluating multiple technical factors to ensure proper fastening strength, code compliance, and tool compatibility. Below are the key considerations every contractor and distributor should review when choosing the right collated nail for a project.

Collated Type

Strip nails are available in different collation styles—plastic, paper, and wire weld. Each type has unique performance traits, including strip capacity, debris generation, and resistance to moisture or temperature. The choice depends on whether the application is interior or exterior, the working environment, and the preference for clean or rugged jobsite conditions.

Degree

The angle of the collated nails (such as 17°, 21°, 28°, 31°, or 34°) determines which framing nailer they can be used with. This degree does not affect the holding strength of the nails themselves but is strictly about nailer compatibility. Always confirm the required angle before purchasing to ensure smooth loading and operation.

Head Type

The strip nails have several head types designed to deliver different levels of holding power and meet diverse code requirements. The most common head types include:

• Round Head
  Provides maximum holding strength; widely accepted in building codes. Commonly paired with plastic collated strip nails.


• Offset Round Head
  Allows closer nail spacing while maintaining nearly full head strength. Frequently used with paper collated nails.


• Clipped Head
  Increases strip capacity by reducing head size, enabling more nails per strip. Commonly found in paper strip nails and wire strip nails. Please note that clipped heads are not always permitted under certain regional codes.

Shank Type

The shank type of strip nails influences both ease of driving and holding power.

• Smooth
  Easy to drive, best for temporary or light-duty fastening, but lowest withdrawal resistance.


• Screw
  Twisted design offers strong grip and high pull-out resistance, ideal for decking and structural use.


• Ring
  Ridges along the shank increase holding strength, commonly used in sheathing, siding, and roofing.

Nail Length

Strip nails are available in a wide range of lengths. We supply sizes from 50 mm to 160 mm, covering light-duty sheathing up to heavy structural framing. The right length should match both the material thickness and the nailer’s capacity—too short may reduce holding strength, while too long can split the wood or cause jamming.

Nail Material

Common materials include bright steel for general indoor use, stainless steel for corrosion resistance, and hardened steel for structural applications. Choosing the correct nail material ensures long-term durability and compliance with building standards.

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Finishing

The finishing of nails plays a vital role in performance and corrosion resistance. Common options for strip nails include bright finish, electro-galvanized, hot-dip galvanized, and vinyl-coated finishes. Vinyl-coated strip nails drive more smoothly into wood as the coating softens with heat during firing, then re-hardens to improve holding power. For outdoor or high-moisture environments, hot-dip galvanized or other protective coatings are recommended, while bright or vinyl-coated finishes are typically used for interior framing and general construction.

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Nailer Type

Finally, the collated nail must be compatible with the nailer being used. Framing nailers are designed to work with specific collation types and angles. In addition, each nailer has a defined magazine capacity, which limits the number of strip nails it can hold per load—typically ranging from one to two strips depending on the design. Mismatching the nailer and nail design, or exceeding the magazine capacity, can lead to jams, misfires, or reduced productivity. Always check the tool manufacturer’s specifications when selecting strip nails.

Conclusion

Selecting the right strip nails is not a one-size-fits-all decision—it requires careful consideration of collation type, degree, head style, shank type, nail length, material, finishing, and nailer compatibility. Each factor directly impacts fastening performance, compliance with building codes, and long-term durability.

As a professional supplier of nails and collated nail solutions, we understand that contractors need reliable products that perform consistently across diverse applications. Whether you are working on heavy-duty framing, precision interior work, or moisture-exposed outdoor projects, choosing the right strip nails ensures both efficiency and structural integrity.

If you have requirements for strip nails or framing nailers, please feel free to contact VIM for more information and support.