Several years ago, I received numerous inquiries about the difference between toenails and slant nails. At the time of this inquiry, we developed Technical Topic: Slant Nailing, Form TT-058. This blog entry is intended to briefly discuss the subtle differences between these two nailed applications.

Toe-nailing is illustrated in the figure below. Several publications state that toenails are through the end-grain of the framing lumber. The 2005 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction details the geometry and placement of toenails.  According to the NDS®, for the design of toenailed connections in either withdrawal or lateral strength, a reduction factor, Ctn, should be implemented.

In the case of connecting wood structural panel sheathing to framing lumber, as illustrated in the figure below, it is very common to drive nails at a slight angle. In this case, slant nailing might be used to maintain the minimum 3/8-inch edge distance of the panel and adequate edge distance of the lumber. Also, slightly slanting the nails helps to avoid "shiners". Although the NDS® has provisions to address toe-nailing (a reduction factor Ctn), it is silent on slant nailing, and therefore, no reduction should be implemented for a slant nail connection. It should be noted that the angle used for slant nailing should not be so extreme that it creates serviceability problems, such as where portions of the nail head provide an uneven surface with respect to the top of the wood structural panel. In summary, no reduction to the shear wall and diaphragm design values should be taken when panels are fastened with slant nails.