Galvanized nails are definitely the right call for outdoor projects. About pneumatic nailers, they're great tools—fast, consistent, and reduce bending issues—but probably overkill if you're only doing occasional DIY stuff. Maybe rent one first and see if it's your thing before dropping cash on it?
Galvanized nails are solid advice—seen plenty of storm-damaged fences and decks held together by rusty junk. Pneumatic nailers save tons of time, but yeah, renting first makes sense if you're not using it often. Quick tip: stainless steel nails are pricier but hold up even better in coastal areas or heavy rain. Anyone tried stainless vs galvanized long-term? Curious if the extra cost is really worth it...
I've used both galvanized and stainless on my deck, and honestly, stainless is great but kinda overkill unless you're right by the ocean. Galvanized nails held up fine for years here in rainy Seattle—just don't cheap out on the coating quality... learned that the hard way.
Good points there—galvanized usually does the trick, but I've seen plenty of decks where folks skimped on coating quality and ended up with rust streaks after just a couple seasons. Stainless is definitely premium, but unless you're dealing with salt spray or constant moisture, it's probably more than you need. Just make sure you're getting hot-dipped galvanized nails (not electroplated)—trust me, your future self will thank you when inspection time rolls around...
"Just make sure you're getting hot-dipped galvanized nails (not electroplated)—trust me, your future self will thank you when inspection time rolls around..."
Couldn't agree more. Also, don't overlook storage—seen plenty of guys leave their nails out in damp sheds or garages. Keep 'em dry and sealed until you're ready to use them, saves headaches later on.
