Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - finish nail for tongue and groove porch?

I'm looking for the right fastener to use on my 1x4 tongue and groove pt pine porch. I figured 8d 2 1/2" galvanized ring shank finish nails would be ideal, but I can't find them at local stores (HD, Lowes). There are galvanized finish but no ring shank, galvanized ring shank but not a finish nail, finish ring shank but brite not galvanized. I assume this means the pros don't think it's useful/necessary. I know I need galvanized for the pt (ACQ I think?). I know ring shank would be ideal since it's flooring and I'm installing on old joists which aren't as level/solid as they used to be. And I think the finish head is necessary to allow the tongue and groove to join fully.

Of course I'm a rookie and I buy everything as I go so I like to avoid the shipping delay of ordering online, if possible. Any guidance would be appreciated.

If you are planning on face nailing an 8d galvanized casing nail would do the trick. If you are going to blind nail a 6d galvanized casing would work. If the porch gets a lot of sun and a lot of moisture you might want to consider a stainless trim head screw.

A trim head stainless screw is a good idea I hadn't thought of.
And you're right a casing nail is probably more appropriate than a finish nail, but I still haven't found that with both galvanized finish and ring shank. Maybe I can find that in stainless ring shank, though I thought the galvanized finish would hold better than stainless. I also assume the stainless nail will drive up my cost. Thanks for the input.

If anyone else knows where to get 8d galvanized ring shank casing/finish nails, I'd love to hear it.

Use a finish nail gun and run 15 gauge 2 1/2" galvanized nails in the top of the tongue at an angle. You will beat yourself to death using 8d nails. They are too big anyway. If you don't have a nailer, you could rent one and have the job done in no time.

If you use 8d hot dipped galvanized finish nails they will hold well. I did a mahogany porch with them a few months ago and they held very well. They will also hold up to ACQ material. If you go with a nail gun you should use stainless nails or staples because the galvanized nails and staples for guns are electro-galvanized and are not rated for ACQ. I doubt you will find ring shank finish nails in either style, and full head nails will be a major pain when nailing the ends of boards (splits).

Bill

The galvanized nails I use for my Dewalt 15 gauge nailer are rated for ACQ.

Hi Chandler, I'll have to check them out. I use Senco and have not found anything but stainless for it. Where did you get them? If they are the correct angle I might be able to use them in my guns.

Bill

Nope, I've not found any for my Senco, either. The ones I use are made by Paslode. The angle is not compatible for Senco, sorry. Where do you find the stainless?

Senco sells stainless but they are outrageous. I get an off brand from a guy around here who I've bought nails and guns from for 20 years.

Bill

I lucked into a guy who sells nails on Ebay. You KNOW the shipping would be horrible! He lives 7 miles from me. No one else can afford to bid as high as I do due to the cost of the shipping. Brings them back to retail for those guys. I bid $10 and usually win for boxes of my Bostitch framing nails. Neat.

I finally found the nails I was looking for in 5lb boxes (8d, galv, ring shank, casing) but your comments (and a long weekend framing with a hammer) have me leaning towards a nail gun. I see you all are leaning to smaller gauge nails. I got the idea of using 8d from this website...

Guide to Porch Flooring and Construction | Southern Pine Council™ | 1-504-443-4464 (http://www.southernpine.com/porch.shtml)

I also lean towards the larger gauge and ring shank because the remaining old joists are old cedar...still in good shape but probably won't hold as well as the new joists.

I did find the stainless trim head screws for 4x the price of nails, no thanks. Thanks to all for the input.