Work out how many nails you need for siding, decking or other building projects, based on area and consumption per square meter.
The calculator multiplies the area by the nail consumption per square meter, and adds waste:
Consumption per square meter varies a lot with the type of project — siding typically needs fewer nails per m² than tight nailing of deck boards. Check the recommendation for your material, or count the number of fixing points per board/plank and multiply by the number of boards.
Screws give better durability and are easier to remove for repairs, but are more expensive and take longer to install. Nails are faster, but can loosen over time with temperature swings.
Always use stainless or hot-dip galvanized nails outdoors, since ordinary nails rust quickly and can leave unsightly rust stains on the wood.