Plastic collated coil nails are a type of nail gun fastener ideal for tasks requiring durable yet lightweight fixings. The unique coil design and plastic material of these nails offer several benefits over traditional metal nails. Here are the different types of plastic collated coil nails along with their uses, benefits and some important factors to consider when using them.
Types of Plastic Coil Nails
There are primarily three types of plastic collated coil nails based on material and design:
• Polymer nails: Made from polymers like nylon, polymer nails are durable, lightweight and rust resistant. They are available in colors for easy identification after installation.
• Composite nails: Composite nails feature a composite shaft with a molded high impact plastic cap. They combine the strength of metal with the light weight of plastic.
• Plastic capped nails: These plastic collated nails have a round shank made of steel and a plastic cap made from materials like nylon. They offer stability with some weight savings.
Uses of Plastic Coil Nails
Some common applications of plastic collated coil nails include:
• Siding installation: Lightweight plastic coil nails work well for attaching various types of siding including vinyl, fiber cement and wood.
• Roofing: Plastic coiled nails secure roofing elements such as felt paper, battens and panels on flat and sloped roofs.
• Framing: Composite and plastic capped nails find use in light duty framing applications where weight saving matters.
• Flooring: Plastic coil nails work for simple flooring installation tasks like laying laminate flooring and carpet.
• Trim: Plastic collated nails secure interior and exterior trim including baseboards, door casings and crown moldings.
Benefits Of Plastic Coil Nails
• Lightweight: Being significantly lighter than metal fasteners, plastic nails reduce fatigue on extended use.
• Non Conductive: Plastic nails do not conduct electricity, making them suitable for electrical applications.
• Corrosion resistant: Plastic nails do not rust, ensuring long lasting fixing in exposed outdoor conditions.
• Reduce recoil: The cushion effect of plastic nails reduces impact and recoil in nail guns.
• Color coded: Colored plastic caps on nails aid visual location after installation.
Factors To Consider When Using Plastic Coil Nails
• Compatibility: Check if your nail gun is compatible with plastic collated nail coils before buying.
• Appropriate size: Use plastic nails of a suitable length and coil diameter for the material and job at hand.
• Load rating: Consider the load bearing capacity of plastic nails for heavy duty or lightweight tasks.
• Hardness of material: Harder materials require high impact plastic capped nails versus softer areas.
• Temperature limitations: Most plastic collated siding nails have an operating temperature range that needs monitoring.
• Fastening depth: Plastic nails generally require deeper embedment into materials than metal.