You can use screws instead of nails for framing although if you have to have the framing inspected then it may not pass inspection as screws are not as strong as nails.
Screws don't often pass inspection when framing roof rafters, floor joists etc but if you're just framing something without need for inspection then screws can be used for framing.
The differences between smooth nails and ring shank nails is the smooth nails have a smooth surface while the ring shank nails have a screw like threads on the nails which screw into the wood as you hammer it in which holds the wood together better.
The kind of nails that you use for plywood is framing nails.
You can use regular framing nails for plywood or use framing ring shank nails which help to hold the plywood down and keep it from coming loose.
The reason nails are used instead of screws is because the nails are stronger than screws because of the lack of threads.
The threads in screws makes the screws weaker while the nails are much stronger and are also easier to frame with and secure things with.
Nails also offer better tensile strength than screws which makes then best for construction and carpentry.
You should use ring shank nails for framing as the ring shank nails will hold the framing together much better than regular nails.
The ring shank nails will prevent the framing from coming apart as you nail the other boards together to complete the framing and make the framing much better at withstanding pulling apart such as during high winds.
The type of nails are siding nails, masonry nails, roofing nails, sinker nails, deck nails, box nails, framing nails, common nails and ring shank or screw thread nails.
Nails with threads are called screw shank nails or spiral shank nails which rotates as the nail is driven into the wood.
Ardox screws are a brand of nails with threads.
Ardox nails are a type of nail that has a screw thread that screws into the wood as it's hammered in to prevent the nail from pulling out.
Common uses of Ardox screw thread nails is for hardwoods and dense materials, roof sheathing, subfloors or anything else that you want to prevent the wood from pulling apart easily.
8d nails are penny nails which are 2 and 1/2 inches long.
So the 8d nail is a 8 penny nail.
A 6d nail is a nail that is 2 inches long and the d means penny so the 6d nail is a 2 inch long penny nail.
More common nail sizes: a 4d nail measures 1.5 inches, a 6d nail is 2 inches long, an 8d nail is 2.5 inches long, a 12d nail is 3.25 inches long, and 16d nails are 3.5 inches long.
Every increase or decrease in number of the nail means the length change in 1/4 inch.
You don't need to use galvanized nails for framing unless the framing is pressure treated wood or the wood is being exposed to the elements.
Framing that is not exposed you can use non galvanized nails for the framing.
The best nails you should use for framing are 16 gauge nails.
You can also use spiral or ring shank nails which hold the framing better than normal shank nails.
The 16 gauge nails are the best nails for framing.
Spiral nails and ring shank nails can be used for framing.
While regular shank nails are most commonly used for framing you can use either spiral nails or ring shank nails for framing as well.
When framing with ring shank nails or spiral nails the framing will hold together better and be stronger.
The advantages that spiral and ring shank nails have over regular shank nails is that they hold better and are not as easy to pull out.
This means that during high winds and hurricanes a roof or anything nailed with spiral or ring shank nails will be less prone to pull apart.
Also for a subfloor the spiral and ring shank nails help keep the flooring from lifting up and creaking.
To hammer ring shank nails you simply use the ring shank nails as you would regular nails although you may need to use a bit more force on the hammer to get them to go in.
Sometimes you might want to use a pair of pliers to hold the ring shank nail so you can hit it harder to get it started and sometimes the ring shank nails go in just as easily as regular nails.
You should use ring shank nails for roof sheathing as the ring shank nails can secure the roof sheathing better than regular nails and help prevent the roof sheathing from flying off during high winds or a hurricane etc.
When installing a subfloor the best nails you should use are ring shank nails which hold the subfloor down much better than regular nails.
The subfloor when installed with ring shank nails will be tighter and not lift like they would or could with regular shank nails.
Smooth shank nails can be used for subfloors although ring shank nails are better at preventing the subfloor from coming up in the future.
However if you want to use smooth shank nails for the subfloor they will work just fine.
I've used smooth shank nails on subfloors and never had any issues with them.
The shank of a nail is the long part of the nail with the pointy end on it.
The head of the nail is the part that is on top of the shank of the nail that you hit with a hammer.
There's also ring shank nails that prevent them from being pulled out as easy as other nails such as during high winds, hurricanes etc.
Ring shank nails are great for surfaces exposed to high winds that might pull out a common nail.
They're ideally suited for softer woods that might otherwise split when nailed.
Applications: Siding, Roof Decking, Asphalt Shingles, Underlayment, Subfloors.
The 3 different types of nail shank's are.
Smooth Shank Nails. There are no deformations on the shank, making nails with a smooth shank the easiest to drive.
Spiral Shank Nails. A spiral "thread" on the shank causes the nail to spin during installation, creating a thread-like interlock with the wood, which increases withdrawal capacity.
Annular Ring Shank Nails.
The downside of a smooth shank nail is its loss of withdrawal strength when applied in wood that is continuously expanding and contracting due to moisture.
Ring and screw shanks have a stronger holding power than smooth shanks. In general, ring shanks have the strongest holding power.
Smooth shank nails are the most common and are often used for framing and general construction applications.
They offer enough holding power for most everyday use.
Ring shank nails are those with ridges or spirals around the shank; those little ridges can increase the holding power of the nail by 40 percent or more.
The ridges on the ring shank nails act as little barbs or wedges that lock the nails firmly into the wood once it's driven.