In this post, I’ll be walking you through various aspects of plastic and paper strips to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Moreover, I’ll also be responding to the queries related to Plastic Strip Vs. Paper Strip Nails so that most of your doubts are cleared before you make a buying decision.

However, in case of any doubts or queries, feel free to contact us via the contact form, and our team would be more than happy to assist you in the best possible way they could.

So, without any further ado, let’s begin…

What Is The Difference Between Paper Collated Nails And Plastic Collated Nails?

Plastic-coated nails have multiple names such as plastic strip nails or plastic collated framing nails and fall in the economical category.

If you’re on a shoestring budget, plastic-coated nails could be a viable option.

In order to deal effectively with the problems that are caused by weather conditions such as high humidity, these nails are held together with plastic strips or bands.

Moreover, the collation is angled to accommodate the overlapping heads, and the angles are available in 0°, 15°, 20°, 21°, 22° and so on. 

Meanwhile, you should be aware of the fact that when compared to concrete nails on the hardness and strength parameters these nails take a backseat as many steps are omitted in the production process.

Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that the material used for the row nails is mainly carbon steel.

Let’s have a quick look at the steps involved in the general production process.

By doing so, you’ll have clarity on the various aspects of these types of nails.

Correct me, if I’m wrong.

• The round wire is straightened and flattened by a flattening machine
• In the next step, these wires are collected on a certain number of spools
• Moving further, you need to make a wire tape by gluing and drying them in a gluing machine
• Lastly, the wire tapes are sent to the forming machine for cutting, shaping, head, and most importantly, completing the entire production process

On the other hand, paper-coated nails are designed to fit all 28° to 34° pneumatic nailer tools.

In order to ensure that a paper-coated nail doesn’t fall in hot, cold, or even wet weather, you must use high-performance and rigid paper tape as collation material.

Of course, paper-coated nails are expensive and may not be the best choice for someone who is on a shoestring budget.

Compared to plastic-coated nails, these paper-coated nails are safer and cleaner during the driving operation.

The production of paper-coated nails as well as plastic-coated nails are automated and efficiency is also relatively high.

To be precise, over the years it seems as though plastic-collated nails have dominated the marketplace with relatively less number of manufacturers offering the paper counterpart.

Nonetheless, in recent times, some manufacturers have brought some changes in the paper version which has resulted in a surge in its demand.

Needless to say, plastic strips top the list when it comes to tracking their capability on parameters such as durability.

It goes without saying that these strips are not only easy to feed into the gun but also hold up well when traveling to job sites.

On the downside, these nails may fly up and hit your face so we recommend wearing proper safety eyewear while using your nail gun.

From time to time, you’ll have to clean your job site’s floor using a broom because the plastic may get all over the floor.

On the other hand, paper-coated nails are relatively flimsier and as a result, harder to feed into the gun.

Many contractors find that their guns jam less often and the nails fly straighter with paper.

Few jams result in more productivity and thus, will help your team to do more work on a day-to-day basis.

As mentioned earlier also, these little beasts are easier and quicker to clean, interesting, isn’t it?

Plastic Strip Vs. Paper Strip Nails: Which One Should I Buy?

To be honest, we at izzysmarthomeguide.com recommends using paper-coated nails, and trust me, there are numerous reasons for it which we would be highlighting in a while in order to help you make an informed purchase decision.

To begin with, things have changed a last in the last couple of years.

Today, reputed nail manufacturers make paper tape-coated nails that are resistant to the weather and wet conditions.

In fact, brands such as Paslode have perfected manufacturing paper-tape collated nails for 30-degree framing nailers.

The thing that I really adore about these nails is their high-performance tape adhesion which prevents them from falling apart in any type of climatic conditions.

On top of it, they shear consistently when fired creating fewer jams and wear on your pneumatic nailer.

Most importantly, even if you’ll drop them into the water they will not fall apart.

What more do you expect from them?

However, if you’ll keep these paper strips submerged in water for a longer duration they might eventually have issues.

Do I still need to convince you for paper-coated nails?

[Related] How to remove plastic strips from the bottom of a glass shower door? | 21 Vs. 30-Degree Framing Nailer

FAQs

Please allow me to respond to the queries related to nail strips so that most of your doubts get cleared before you make a buying decision.

In case, I’ve not taken your question, feel free to contact us and our core team will be more than happy to assist you.

Are plastic and paper collated nails interchangeable?

Definitely not.

Plastic-coated nails have distinctive features when compared to their paper counterparts.

However, almost all the paper-coated as well as plastic-coated nails will fit the same tools.

What are plastic-collated nails?

The full-rounded head nails that are angled at 21 degrees are popularly known as plastic collated nails.

These nails are weather resistant and durable.

However, plastic fragments from each shot will leave a mess behind for you to clean up.

What are paper strip nails?

Plastic strip nails are easy and quick to clean.

Though they are expensive but worth considering because of the idiosyncratic superlative features.

Paper-coated nails are the ones that are designed to fit all 28° to 34° pneumatic nailer tools.

What are strip nails used for?

The strip nails are used in places where strong holding power is needed such as framing, sheathing, carpentry, and in other wood applications.

Why are nails made out of plastic?

In order to make nails durable, robust, long-lasting, and affordable, they are made up of plastic.

It’s A Wrap

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.

Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads of effort into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information on the topic of Plastic Strip Vs. Paper Strip Nails.

And, in case, you liked our effort and want to appreciate us then please do share this post with like-minded people and the ones who are in search of similar information.

After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?

Long story short, every contractor has a preference for one way or another, and trust me, the best way to find out which one of the two is best for you is by going both a try.

Nevertheless, we at izzysmarthomeguide.com recommends our client paper-coated nails as they are easy to clean and come with reduced jamming issues.

That’s all, as of now:):)

Do let us know your view on this post in the comment section as it may help us in improving our post for the benefit of our readers.