Upholstery Nails Key Terms

Learn the key terms associated with upholstery nails

By Shannon Tani

If you're interested in furniture repair and refinishing, you already know that upholstery nails lend a lot of appeal to the design. However, those new to the industry should learn the terminology associated with upholstery nails in order to make the most of their business. For example, nail strips offer an easy way to use upholstery nails without having to worry about spacing. A nail spacer may be able to give the same effect. When purchasing upholstery nails, you need to know what the shank and finishes are to make a wise decision. Learn these terms to get started.

Nail strips

A nail strip, or nail chain, is a string of upholstery nails that are connected to each other. This makes it easy to get the finished look that you desire because you don't need to worry about spacing or making sure the nails are all on the same line.
Try: See some examples of nail strips at Furniture Restoration Tools and Supplies.

Shank

The shank of an upholstery nail is the shaft, which goes into the wood. It's important to know the shank size when choosing upholstery nails for a project because some may be too long and go through the length of wood, while others may be too short and not be able to hold the fabric to the wood.
Try: Learn more about shanks and the different types from Halex Corporation.

Finishes

Most upholstery nails are metal and they come with a variety of finishes, which is the final layer or polish that's put on the nail during production. This affects whether they are shiny or dull and the color.
Try: The upholstery tacks at Heico can be sorted according to finish, allowing you to see the many different styles of finish.

Upholstery tacks

Upholstery tacks, rather than nails, are not meant to be seen. Because of this, they are much more plain than decorative upholstery nails.
Try: Perfectfit shows upholstery tacks.

Decorative upholstery nails

Decorative upholstery nails are meant to be seen and are an artistic point of the piece of furniture. They come in many different shapes and styles to suit any type of design.
Try: See some examples of decorative upholstery nails at Chervan.

Nail spacer

A nail spacer is essential for those that are working with decorative nails instead of nail strips. This ensures that all nails are evenly spaced.
Try: View and purchase a nail spacer at Rochford Supply.