Masonry nails vs gas nails: which do you need?
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Masonry nails and gas nails are for different jobs, not two ways of doing the same one. A masonry nail is a hardened nail you hammer straight into brick, block or concrete, no plug and no drilling, for fixing thin timber and battens to masonry. A gas nail is a collated nail fired from a gas-powered first-fix nailer into timber, for framing, studwork and carcassing at speed. So if you are fixing to masonry by hand, you want masonry nails; if you are framing timber with a gun, you want gas nails. Firing nails into concrete with a gun is a third, separate thing, a dedicated concrete nailer.
What is a masonry nail?
A masonry nail (also called a concrete nail or a hardened nail) is made from hardened steel so it drives straight into brick, block, concrete or a bedded mortar joint without bending over. No plug, no pilot hole, you hammer it home and the countersunk head sits flush. Our West masonry nails come in 2.5 x 30mm and 2.5 x 40mm, in packs of 100 from around £1.45.
It is the fast, cheap way to fix thin timber and light battens to masonry when a plug-and-screw is more than the job needs, temporary battens, rough grounds, holding something while an adhesive goes off. Wear eye protection: hardened nails can spall if you catch them wrong.
What is a gas nail?
A gas nail is a collated nail that a gas-powered first-fix nailer fires into timber. The nails come in strips with gas fuel cells to fire them, and the gun drives them flush in one shot, far faster than hand-nailing. Our Fischer nail and gas fuel packs fit the common angled first-fix nailers (Fischer and Paslode-style), and one pack holds 3,300 galvanised ring-shank nails plus 3 gas cells. Ring shank grips far better than a smooth nail, and galvanised stands up to exterior and structural first-fix.
This is timber work: stud walls, floor and roof carcassing, battening, joining timber to timber at speed. It is not for fixing into masonry.
Masonry nails vs gas nails: which do you need?
Work it off the material you are fixing into and whether you are swinging a hammer or a gun:
| Masonry nails | Gas nails | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixes into | Brick, block, concrete | Timber |
| Driven by | Hammer, by hand | Gas-powered first-fix nailer |
| Typical job | Thin timber and battens to masonry | Framing, studwork, carcassing |
| Sizes we stock | 2.5 x 30mm, 2.5 x 40mm | 2.8 to 3.1mm dia, 51 to 90mm |
| Sold as | Packs of 100 | 3,300 nails + 3 gas cells |
Put simply: masonry nail for fixing to a wall, gas nail for building with timber. They are not interchangeable, a gas framing nail will not hold in brick, and a masonry nail is not collated for a gun.
What size masonry nail do I need?
Match the length to the timber you are fixing, with enough nail left to bite the masonry:
- 2.5 x 30mm for very thin battens, laths and light grounds.
- 2.5 x 40mm for slightly thicker battens and rails, where you want a bit more bite.
Drive into the brick face or, better, into a bedded mortar joint, which is easier to nail and less likely to spall. For anything structural, anything that has to hold real load, or anything you might want to remove cleanly, use a concrete screw instead, not a nail.
What size gas nail do I need?
Gas first-fix nails run 51 to 90mm. Pick the length for the timber you are joining:
| Gas nail size | Typical job |
|---|---|
| 2.8 x 51mm | General framing, battening |
| 2.8 x 63mm | Batten and stud work, timber joining |
| 3.1 x 75mm | Heavier framing, deep timber runs |
| 3.1 x 90mm | Structural work, large-section carcassing |
Ring shank for grip, galvanised for anything exterior or structural. The Fischer mix-any-10 pack lets you build a batch of ten across whatever sizes a job needs at one trade price.
Can you fire nails into concrete with a gas gun?
Yes, but not with a first-fix framing nailer and its nails. Firing hardened pins into concrete, block or steel needs a dedicated gas concrete nailer (the kind people mean by a gas concrete nail gun), a different tool that fires different hardened pins. A first-fix timber nailer and a gas framing nail will not do it.
For fixing to masonry without a specialist gun you have two good options: a masonry nail by hand for light, quick work, or a concrete screw where you need real strength. See masonry screws vs concrete screws for the plug-free screw route.
Masonry nail or concrete screw: when to use which?
- Masonry nail when it is light, quick and you are not coming back, a temporary batten, a rough ground, holding timber while adhesive cures.
- Concrete screw when it has to hold properly, take load, or come out cleanly later. A 7.5mm concrete screw into a 6mm hole holds far more than a nail and can be removed.
Nails are fast and cheap; screws are strong and reversible. Choose for the job, not out of habit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Gas framing nails for a masonry fixing. They will not hold in brick or block. Use masonry nails or screws.
- Masonry nails for anything structural. A nail is a light, quick fixing. Load-bearing work wants a concrete screw or bolt.
- No eye protection with masonry nails. Hardened steel can spall when struck. Wear glasses.
- Wrong gas nail length. Too short and it will not reach the second timber; match the length to the joint (see the table).
- Expecting a framing nailer to fire into concrete. That is a concrete nailer, a different tool. Do not force it.
The short version
Masonry nails are hardened nails you hammer into brick, block or concrete for light timber-to-masonry fixing, 2.5 x 30 or 40mm, packs of 100. Gas nails are collated ring-shank nails a gas first-fix nailer fires into timber for framing, 51 to 90mm, 3,300 to a pack with the gas. Different materials, different tools. Browse masonry nails and gas nails, or call the counter if you are not sure which the job needs.
By Steve, Builders Hardware Direct. Steve runs the BHD trade counter and has spent years supplying nails, fixings and first-fix consumables to builders and carpenters across South Wales. Not sure which nail or size? Call the counter on 01269 267030 or order online for fast UK delivery.
