Shank diameter also relates to the nail s ability to withstand lateral stresses. The size of the nail head has less to do with holding power and more to do with the ability to withstand pull-through. When nailing items such as paper, vapor barrier or shingles to a wood substrate, a larger nail head greatly enhances the resistance to pull-through. Head size also is of greater importance when attaching sheet goods such as sheathing, decking, and drywall. There are various treatments that can be used on nails to make them better suited for a particular use.
Coatings also play a major role in modern nails.
Galvanized nails resist corrosion when exposed to weather, and cement-coated nails have adhesive applied to the nail, which is activated by the heat generated while driving the nail. Alternative metals are used in making nails for special uses, such as stainless steel for corrosion-resistant siding nails. Although screws and modern adhesives are replacing nails in many uses, nails still hold much of the world together. One of the most important advances in recent years has been the introduction of nail guns. Nails were easily adapted for use in air-powered nail guns.