Ask Dr. Steel: “What Is a Stainless Steel Brad?”

If you have spent any time in a hardware or home improvement store you probably already know the selection of nails can be overwhelming. There are nails for every type of application you can think of. Brads are another name that refers to nails, but only a specific kind. Brads are special types of nails that have a slightly depressed nailing head so they are better suited for finishing work and any application where you want to counter-sink the nail so the nail doesn't show. Stainless steel brads are such nails that are composed of stainless steel or have a stainless steel coating applied to them. In this article we'll explore some of the common uses for stainless steel brads around the home and point out why stainless steel brads are better suited for this purposes than regular brad nails.

If you have ever installed floor or ceiling molding you know that appearance is everything. No one wants a big, ugly nail to be showing every few inches. The problem with using regular brads is that even if you get them sunk below the wood surface they can rust and corrode over time. That rust spreads onto the wood and through the paint or stain leaving you with ugly black or brown spots all down the surface. Stainless steel brads on the other hand are sunk below the surface and can stand the test of time and the elements. They are anti-corrosive and anti-rust so you don't have to worry about the molding you spent your entire vacation installing throughout your house looking like a spotted owl in just a few years – even sooner if you live in an area with high humidity!

Stainless steel brads are also perfect for installing wooden decorations to fences or posts. Many times people will give a little life and show off their property by attaching thin wooded decorative attachments to fences. Unfortunately, since these are outside typical nails can rust easily and in as little as a year that fence you worked so hard on now has rust streaks running all down the wood or showing through the paint. With a stainless steel brad you can make sure that rust doesn't have a fighting chance and enjoy the same beautiful fence year after year.

Backyard decks are another place that brads show up. No one wants to be running or walking across a deck and get their foot caught on a nail, so brads are the natural solution. Unfortunately, decks also are exposed to the weather and rust tends to be a big problem. Even with water sealers and staining that most homeowners put on the decks those standard iron-based brads just can't stand up to Mother Nature. Stainless steel brads on the other hand can stand up to her and win the battle. They can be sunk into the wood and even if they do show their metallic appearance looks a lot better than regular nails which will turn brown or black after being exposed to the elements.

Stainless steel brads are a popular choice for many people who want a project done right the first time. Especially since brads are typically used in applications where appearance is critical you can quickly see why choosing a stainless steel brad would make sense. You don't want to spend your time and effort working on a project only to have to turn around and redo it in a few years because of rusty nails.