One of the great joys of siding is the free-flowing lines of the planks. We do our best to stagger the joints, so these don’t create an obvious pattern. If we were to visibly nail the planks to the joist framework behind, then this would spoil our work. Today we compare blind nailing versus face nailing and when to use each.

Comparing Blind Nailing Versus Face Nailing Techniques

Face nailing is a matter of simply hammering in nails, without a care for their appearance. Blind nailing, on the other hand, conceals the heads, thereby creating a more pleasant effect. Read on for an artisan’s view on blind nailing versus face nailing techniques.

The Basics of Face Nailing Planks

Face nailing involves locating a nail in the most convenient location, and hammering it in perpendicular until the nail head is flush with the material. This is the faster of the two methods, although it is not always the best:

• The nail may not, in fact, be hammered in all the way, and could work loose.
• The unsightly head of the nail may stain or rust, and show through paint over it.

Why Blind Nailing Is Better

A blind nail, or fastener, is one you cannot see when the job is complete. It involves shooting fasteners into siding planks in the area within the next board’s overlap. This more time-consuming method takes longer, but the attractive effect makes the extra effort worthwhile.

When to Use Blind Nailing Versus Face Nailing

Blind nailing is the industry standard for fixing most fiber siding planks. However, in our experience, some may not fit tight, or align perfectly due to uneven underlying siding.

When this happens – and there is no other solution – our artisans add additional sixteenth-inch small-head brad nails. We counter sink these, and touch up where necessary.

Where Else We Find Blind Nailing

Blind nailing is a popular method for attaching materials that are in the public eye. Applications beyond siding include tongue-and-groove planking, skirtings, wainscoatings, bead board ceilings, and decorative moldings.

We prefer to use blind nailing wherever possible, however there are situations in trims and floors where this is impractical. Rest assured, Valiant Exteriors walks the extra mile every time, to deliver the highest quality possible, on every occasion.

More Information

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Avoid Capillary Action with Fiber Siding

Image: More Proud Work by Valiant Exteriors