Which Holds Better in Wood: A Screw or a Nail?
On One Hand: Screws Are Stronger Than NailsA screw holds wood together better than a nail because the threading of a screw provides a horizontal grip on the wood. Nails are driven down into wood and have nothing but the pressure of the wood to keep them attached, which means it is easier to pull a nail straight out of a board than a screw.On the Other: A Screw Is Not Necessary for Every JobA nail’s main benefit is that it’s easier to put in than a screw. A few quick hammer strokes can drive a nail into position. Nails are also easier to remove than screws. If a structure is temporary, many people will use nails to save effort when they tear down the structure. Also, using more that one nail can make two pieces of wood hold just as well as a screw.Bottom LineA screw holds better in wood than a nail does.
