Galvanised Clout Nails

Galvanised clout nails have a hot-dip zinc coating that protects against rust and corrosion, making them suitable for outdoor use and damp conditions. Bright (ungalvanised) clout nails have no protective coating and are intended for interior use only where they won't be exposed to moisture. For roofing felt, fencing, external joinery, and any application exposed to British weather — always choose galvanised.

For standard roofing felt on sheds and outbuildings, 20mm or 25mm clout nails with a 2.65mm shank are typically sufficient. For heavier-duty roofing felt on larger structures, we recommend 30mm or 40mm lengths. The key is that the nail must fully penetrate the batten beneath the felt — a good rule of thumb is the nail should be at least twice the thickness of the material being fixed.

Yes, absolutely. The hot-dip galvanised zinc coating provides excellent corrosion resistance, making these nails suitable for prolonged outdoor exposure. They are the standard choice for external roofing, fencing, and joinery applications across the UK. The galvanised coating prevents unsightly rust stains that would otherwise appear with ungalvanised nails.

The term "clout" is an old English word meaning a patch or a piece of cloth. Historically, clout nails were used to fasten patches of material — much like how they're used today to secure roofing felt and membranes. The defining characteristic is the disproportionately large flat head, which "clouts" or patches the material firmly against the surface beneath. It's the same nail type sometimes referred to as a "felt nail" in the trade.

Yes, we offer competitive trade and wholesale pricing on all our products. Our 25kg boxes already represent excellent value, and we can offer additional discounts for regular trade customers, builders merchants, and large project orders. Contact our sales team to discuss your requirements and set up a trade account.

Yes, galvanised clout nails can be used for fixing plasterboard to timber studs. The large head provides good grip and prevents the nail from pulling through the plasterboard. However, for interior plasterboard work where moisture isn't a concern, some builders prefer bright clout nails or dedicated plasterboard nails. If there's any risk of damp (bathrooms, kitchens, garages), use galvanised.