What Is A Clout Nail?
What is a Clout Nail?
There are many different types of nails that are available from your local building merchants, which can make choosing the right nail for the job difficult. In this Wonkee Donkee article, we explain what is a clout nail and what they are most commonly used for.
What are copper clout nails made of?
As you may have already guessed from the name, clout nails are made from copper. The reason that copper is a commonly used material in order to manufacture nails is due to its property of not being susceptible to corrosion which leads to a long lifespan. Copper is so resistant to corrosion that it is favored on outdoor tasks such as roofing where it can be constantly exposed to the elements.
The design of copper clout nails is fairly simple. Like most nails, they are manufactured using a number of different diameter wires and consist of a long round with a pointed end to help penetrate materials and a flat end designed to take impact on the other end. The classic nail design is optimised for ease of use and the flat head provides a larger surface area to strike with a hammer whilst the pointed end provides a smaller surface area for a concentrated impact.
What are copper clout nails used for?
As we mentioned in the previous section, copper clout nails are highly resistant to any type of corrosion. This is the main reason that they are chosen for roofing projects. Copper clout nails are the perfect fixings in the construction of both natural and manmade slates.
However, this is not the only reason. They also have a long life expectancy (in fact it is fairly similar to lead) so that they will not need replacing regularly. In addition, they are also structurally sound and can secure roofing slates without restricting any movement they make due to thermal changes.
How to choose which copper clout nails to use?
After you have decided that copper clout nails are the best fastening option for your project; next, you will need to choose what size copper clout nails you need. Each roofing task is unique, so all we can do is provide advice from our own expert’s experience. Although we can’t tell you exactly what size copper clout nails you need, we can tell you why you should use copper clout nails for fixtures on roofing.
Regulations are always an important factor to consider before you complete any task. In roofing regulations, it is not permitted to use galvanised nails in order to fit roofing. This is because the surrounding environment and pollution can cause damage to galvanised nails and thus weaken the roof structure.
Practicality is another important factor to consider. Copper clout nails are much easier to remove than galvanised nails, which can be really important if, for example, a slate is broken. They are also copper throughout which means that they are free from corrosion throughout. In comparison, galvanised nails are protected by a coating that can sometimes come damaged on hammering or by the surrounding environment which compromises the anti-corrosion properties.
At Wonkee Donkee, we always advise you to look around for as much information as possible and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if you have any DIY questions.
Where can you buy copper clout nails?
Before installing a laminate floor it is important that the area is thoroughly swept and cleared so that the surface is perfectly flat. In addition, you will also need to remove any of the previous flooring fixtures such as skirting boards or pieces of underlay in order to get the best results. One thing that you will need to consider at this point is the finish you want around the edges of your laminate floor.
It is important to know that laminate floors tend to expand once they have settled so you are required to leave an expansion gap around the edges of the room and use appropriate fittings between rooms or any obstacles within the floor. This is why skirting boards are less commonly used with laminate floors and beading is favored which helps cover the expansion gap whilst still allowing the laminate floor to expand.
