Upholstery nail are the fasteners that are used to secure upholstery fabric to a frame of a piece of furniture. The wrong type of upholstery nails can lead to the fabric pulling through the frame or the frame splitting. Such upholstery nails should be selected based off their shank length, head diameter, head style, and the finish of the nails.
The shank length of upholstery nails are the portion of the nail that is driven into the furniture frame. Short shank lengths are used for lightweight upholstery fabric and thin foam. Long shank lengths is used for thick upholstery fabrics like canvas and burlap.
How to Choose and Use Upholstery Nails
Using upholstery nails that are too short may cause the upholstery nails to pop out of the frame when weight is place upon the furniture; using upholstery nails that are too long may cause the upholstery nails to go completely through the frame. The head diameter of upholstery nails indicate the size of the head of the nail. Using large head diameters helps to distribute the weight of the furniture more even upon the upholstery fabric.
Such head diameters are helpful for supple leather upholstery. Using small head diameters is used for accentuating fine detail on the furniture, but will not distribute the weight of the furniture as well as larger head diameter. The head style of upholstery nails can create different visual appearance upon the furniture when using different styles of upholstery nails.
Using smooth, dome-shaped heads can create an elegant, classic look for the furniture. Using flat head style will make the head of the upholstery nails flush against the fabric. Textured head styles, such as hammered or pyramid-shaped upholstery nails, can add visual texture to furniture with upholstery fabric.
Finally, upholstery nails that come on strips adhered to tape allow for even spacing between upholstery nail. The finish of upholstery nails should correspond to the other hardware of the furniture pieces. Using finishes like antique brass may be used to accentuate dark wood; silver finishes may be used for matching mid-century moddern furniture; and matte black finish may be used for modern furniture.
Finally, using upholstery nails with the same finish as the legs and pulls of the furniture will ensure that the upholstery nails do not contrast more greatly with the rest of the furnitures design. The type of fabric to be upholstered will dictate the type of upholstery nails to be used. Using staples may be required for delicate fabric like velvet.
Upholstery nails can be used for tough fabrics like canvas. Decorative upholstery nails can be used for leather; however, staples will need to be used underneath the leather to secure it to the frame. Finally, care should be taken to ensure that upholstery nails are not placed too close together on thin synthetic upholstery fabrics, as they may tear.
The type of furniture frame will dictate the type of upholstery nails to be used. Upholstery nails will need to be pre-drilled into hardwood frame to avoid splitting the hardwood. Plywood upholstery frames are softer and will take the upholstery nails without pre-drilling; however, you should take care to not delaminate the plywood with too much force when driving the upholstery nails into the frame.
Lastly, the decision between staples and upholstery nails can be made based upon the need of the project. Staples are faster to utilize than upholstery nails; however, upholstery nails allow for more precision in placing the nails where they are needed. Using a magnetic hammer allows for placing upholstery nails into the frame with more precision; however, a pneumatic tool will be faster for a high volume of upholstery work.
Finally, upholstery nails should be placed closer together in areas of the furniture that will experience more stress than others; however, upholstery nails can be placed further apart on areas of the furniture that will not receive as much stress, such as 1.5 inch or more apart for decorative upholstery fabric. A common mistake in the use of upholstery nails is to use the wrong combination of upholstery nails and fabrics. It is incorrect to use long shank upholstery nails for thin muslin fabric; the thin muslin will tear.
It is incorrect to use upholstery nails with tiny heads for fabrics like burlap; the tiny head will not provide enough grip on the burlap. Finally, it is recommended that any upholstery nails and fabrics be tested on a scrap piece of the fabric prior to beginning the upholstery work. Finally, another suggestion for maximum security for upholstered furniture is to layer staples underneath decorative upholstery nail.
