Nails, Types of – Based on the process of manufacture there are three kinds of nails in common use: plate or cut nails, wire nails, and clinch nails.

Aluminum – Used for same purposes as wire nails. Also a special purpose nail for roofing, aluminum flashing etc.

Brads – Are thin nails with a small head, used for small finish, panel-moulding, etc. They vary from ¼ to 2 inches in length.

Clinch Nails – Made from open hearth or Bessemer steel wire. These nails are only used in places where it is desired to turn over the ends of the nails to form a clinch, as in the case of battens or cleats.

Coated Wire Nails – The coating consists of various resinous gums to increase the withdrawal resistance.

Copper and Brass Nails – Copper and cast brass nails are used in buildings for attaching similar metal to wood.

Cut Nails – Are stamped from a strip of rolled iron or steel of the same thickness as the nail and a little wider than its depth.

Wire Nails – Are made from wire, of the same section-diameter as the shank of the nail, by a machine that cuts the wire in even lengths, heads and points them, and when desired, also barbs them.

Nailing (Blind) – A method of fastening in that the nail is driven into the edge of the board at an angle so that the head is concealed by the edge of the next board. Sometimes called secret nailing.

Neat Cement – A cement mortar mixture made up without addition of sand or other aggregate.

Newel – A post to that the stair railing or balustrade is fastened.

Nominal Size Lumber – The size by that a material is known and sold, but that differs slightly from the actual size.

Nominally Horizontal – In plumbing, at an angle of less than 45° with the horizontal.

Non-Bearing Partition – Defined under “Partition Types”.

Noncombustible – As applied to building construction means a material that is classed as noncombustible when tested in accordance with CSA B54.1 “Determination of Noncombustibility of Building Materials”.

Nonslip or Nonskid – A term applied to walk, road, floor or other surfaces specially prepared to minimize slipping.

Nosing – The rounded and projecting edge of a stair tread, windows still, etc.