How do you nail tongue and groove vertical siding?

[trojlee]

How/where should I place the nails when attaching a tongue and groove exterior panel? (vertical)

 

[Finndjävel]

The outer panel is usually not nailed into the tongue but attached directly through the board with two nails at each attachment point.

 

[trojlee]

Exterior paneling is usually not nailed into the tongue but fastened directly through the board with two nails at each fastening point.

So like this? The Wood Guide didn't recommend a nail gun but I was thinking of using one, any handling tips would be gladly received😊

 

[Finndjävel]

Exactly. A nail gun with 63mm nails is fine if you don't have extra thick paneling. Press the gun hard enough against the board so it doesn't recoil and the nail doesn't go all the way in. You learn that quickly.

Sometimes, if the tongues stick, it might be worth nailing only the nail on one side before placing the next board.

 

[trojlee]

Thanxx! Wonderful forum this💪

 

[Mats-S]

Träguiden recommended against using a nail gun but I was planning to use one anyway

A nail gun is a curse; it's quick to get the panel up, but when the nails start creeping out after a few years you'll regret it...
Buy a professional hammer for about 800 SEK (e.g., Vaughan) and you'll nail better and faster than today

The nails you use should be as rough galvanized as possible, then they hold strongly unlike the crap used for nail guns. A hand-nailed rough galvanized nail is basically impossible to pull out without breaking the wood, while the nail from the nail gun can be easily pulled out.

Note that when you hand-nail galvanized nails, the hammerhead tends to become smooth, so sand the hammerhead with coarse sandpaper at regular intervals to maintain full friction and avoid bending the nails