Hi to everyone,
this is my first question in the forum:
I'm adding 1/4" plywood panels to existing wall panels on an '74 mobile home. I will glue the panels and use nail on the studs. I'm doing this the first time and hope, that somebody can help me out with a few questions. I got myself a brad nailer 18G and I don't know what nails to use (galvanized, coated, heavy duty,...) and what length. Also, what distance for the nails is recommended.
Thanks for replies in advance.

 

Technically brad nails are of no use for that. Table R602.3.(1) specifies minimum 6d common nails (2" x 0.113) for wall sheathing, 6" on edges, 12" in the field.

A brad nailer is generally for interior trim work only... nothing structural.

 

Thanks XSleeper for the quick response. Even if it gives me a headache now. Not because I have the brad nailer already, but what do I do with the nailheads on the playwood panels.

 

That would be considered structural ?
Wouldn't that be similar to adding paneling ?

 

Ok I'm confused. Are you putting this on the interior or exterior? Plywood? Or paneling?

 

Interior. 1/4" plywood panels on top of the existing panels.

 

You can fill the nail holes with colored putty [matched to the panel color] but as noted above 18 gauge nails don't have a large enough head to give it any holding power.

 

Now I am confused. Is it now considered structural or adding paneling? And if it is considered adding paneling, then I have to use 6d common nails too?

 

For some reason since you said are putting up PLYWOOD I was immediately imagined this was going on the outside as wall sheathing. A lot of mobile homes have thin (or no) sheathing so I thought maybe you were reinforcing it.

No, paneling is not structural, so forget I even said that. Generally panelling is either put up with panel nails (short ring shanked nails with a small painted head that are hand driven) or you use a 3/16" narrow crown stapler. The staple has far better holding power. A brad nailer might work but won't work really well because brads have very small heads and the gun tends to sink the head partway through the material. So unless you have a depth of drive adjustment, the brad nail wont have a lot of holding power.

Up to you if you want to try using it... and IMO you would skip the glue or use it VERY sparingly. 1 1/4" or brads every 6-8" on panel edges, 12-16" in the field. But narrow crown staples would be better.

 

I'm glad to hear I don't have to use glue. Since I got myself a nailer kit (Brad Nailer, Stapler and Pin Nailer) I will use the brad nailer and the stapler (behind the floor-, windows- and ceiling-trims) - if it makes any sense. What kind of nails and staples should I use (galvanized, coated, heavy duty,..) or will any kind be ok?
Thanks XSleeper.

 

Any kind of staple that fits your gun will work. AFAIK your choice is electrogalvanized or stainless.

 

This was very helpful, thanks!