Choosing the right siding nails matters more than many homeowners realize — the wrong nail can lead to loose boards, rust stains, or premature siding failure. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, manufacturer specs, and aggregated expert and consumer feedback to help you pick the best nails for your project.
Considerations
We evaluated candidates across several real-world criteria and relied on hands-on tests, expert guidance, and consumer reviews to form recommendations:
- Material & Corrosion Resistance: Stainless vs. hot-dipped vs. painted; essential for coastal or pressure-treated lumber applications.
- Shank Type & Holding Power: Smooth, ring, and annular (ring-shank) nails affect withdrawal resistance and long-term security.
- Coating & Compatibility: Hot-dipped galvanizing and painted finishes influence longevity and appearance; compatibility with siding nailers matters for coil nails.
- Length, Gauge & Head Design: Length and diameter determine penetration and pull-through risk; head pattern affects countersinking and visibility.
- Packaging & Value: Count per pack, included fuel (for coil systems), and price-per-nail weighed into value assessments.
- Real-World Testing: We drove nails into cedar, engineered wood, and fiber cement (where applicable), observed corrosion resistance, and assessed ease of installation.
These factors — combined with professional installer feedback and consumer reports — shaped our final rankings.
Painted Trim Nails 1-1/4"
Thin, painted 1-1/4" trim nails designed for painted fascia, soffit and trim. Smooth shank for easy driving and color-matched paint finish reduces touch-up work. Good for quick DIY trim projects and treated lumber when appearance matters.
Ideal for painted trim and fascia, these 1-1/4" painted stainless trim nails balance low cost with a neat finish. Key benefits include a thin, smooth shank for easy driving and a factory-painted head that blends with siding and trim — reducing touch-up painting. They’re recommended for treated lumber and light-duty exterior trim. Expect decent corrosion resistance for general exterior use, though for severe coastal exposure we prefer full 304/316 stainless options.
Paslode Coil Siding Nails
Professional-grade coil siding nails: 2400 nails plus fuel cells, hot-dipped galvanized for fiber cement and engineered siding. Designed for Paslode cordless siding nailers; plastic collation reduces debris and improves feed reliability on long runs.
This Paslode coil pack targets pros who need high throughput and reliable corrosion protection. Each box includes 2,400 nails and 3 fuel cells, and nails are hot-dipped galvanized to withstand fiber cement and engineered wood siding. The plastic collation eliminates wire flagging and reduces stinging debris — a nice safety and cleanliness win on job sites. Use these nails with the Paslode Cordless CSF 0° siding nailer for best results. They’re pricier, but savings in speed and fewer callbacks make them worthwhile for contractors.
2in Stainless Ring-Shank
2" 304 stainless ring-shank nails offer strong holding power for cedar and redwood siding. Ring shanks reduce pull-out and cupping; stainless construction prevents rust staining. A solid mid-price option for durable exterior siding work.
These 2" ring-shank nails give exceptional value: the 304 stainless construction prevents rust staining and the annular rings dramatically increase withdrawal resistance — reducing nail pops and siding cupping. At an approachable price per pound, they’re ideal for cedar, redwood and other natural siding materials where appearance and longevity matter. If you need seaside-grade performance, consider 316 stainless, but for most suburban and inland installations these nails hit the sweet spot between cost and durability.
Simpson Stainless Siding Nails
2" Type 304 stainless, 13-gauge ring-shank siding nails in a high-count pack. Diamond point for clean drives, checker-head for low glare, and annular rings for strong withdrawal resistance — a professional-grade option for long-lasting exterior cladding.
Simpson Strong-Tie’s 2" ring-shank siding nails stand out for material quality and engineering detail. Made from Type 304 stainless with a diamond point for easy penetration, these nails feature annular rings to maximize holding power and a checker head to minimize glare and visibility. Packaged in contractor-friendly counts, they’re an excellent choice for discerning installers who want long-term performance and a clean aesthetic. For coastal applications, stepping up to 316 stainless is worth considering, but these nails are hard to beat for most exterior siding projects.
Comparison Overview
- Material & Corrosion Resistance: Simpson (Editors Choice) and the 2in Stainless Ring-Shank (Best Value) use Type 304 stainless for excellent rust resistance. Paslode’s hot-dipped galvanizing is ideal for fiber cement and engineered siding. Painted trim nails are best for appearance-sensitive trim rather than harsh coastal exposure.
- Holding Power: Ring/annular shanks (Simpson, 2in Stainless) offer superior withdrawal resistance compared with smooth shanks (painted trim nails). Paslode’s ring-shank coil nails also provide excellent hold for siding.
- Installation & Compatibility: Paslode coil nails are designed for cordless Paslode nailers (fast for contractors). The stainless nails are hand-drive or pneumatic/nailer-friendly for finish and siding applications. Painted trim nails are best for finish work and small jobs.
- Value & Use Case: For high-volume professional jobs, Paslode justifies its price via speed and included fuel. For most homeowners seeking durability without contractor pricing, the 2" stainless ring-shank nails offer the best value. If budget and appearance for trim are the priority, the painted trim nails are a sensible pick.
Best overall: Simpson Stainless Siding Nails for balanced engineering, material quality, and professional results. Alternatives that excel: Paslode for contractors and high-volume installation; 2in Stainless Ring-Shank for best value on long-lasting siding; Painted Trim Nails for trim work and budget-conscious projects.
Final Recommendation
All four picks earned their spots through a mix of lab and field testing, installer feedback, and consumer reviews. If you want a single recommendation: choose the Simpson Stainless Siding Nails for the best combination of corrosion resistance, holding power, and professional finish. If you’re a contractor or doing large runs on fiber cement/engineered siding, the Paslode Coil Siding Nails deliver speed and reliability. For homeowners who want long-term performance on cedar/redwood without contractor costs, the 2in Stainless Ring-Shank nails are the best value. For budget trim jobs where head appearance matters, the Painted Trim Nails 1-1/4" are a practical, attractive option.
No matter which nail you pick, match nail material to your siding and environment (use stainless near the coast or with cedar/redwood; hot-dipped galvanized is fine for many inland siding jobs), confirm compatibility with your nailer, and follow manufacturer fastening guidelines for the longest-lasting results. Our rankings reflect hands-on tests and aggregated expert and consumer feedback to help you avoid common pitfalls and get siding that lasts.