Masonry nails can be used to add wood trim to the stucco walls.

It can be difficult to hang an ornamental object or picture in stucco because it is so hard.Many people wonder if it is possible to nail through stucco, but there are a few things you should know before diving into it.

The answer is that you can use a hardened nail to nail through stucco.Pre-drilling a hole, using a masonry/concrete bit, will make the nail a lot easier, reduce possible cracking, and you can use just about any nail at that point too.

It is possible to grab a hammer and a nail and drive it through the stucco.

If you have a 1 coat (2 coat) stucco system that has 1 inch thick foam and a base and finish coat of stucco, you can use any nail without pre-drilling.

Driving a nail is much more difficult if you have a 3 coat stucco system.You will need special nails that are designed for concrete and masonry applications, as they are much harder and will not bend when driving them into harder surfaces.

The picture shows what a typical masonry nail looks like, the shape and appearance is a thicker, stronger looking nail, compared to other nails.

The dark gray nail can be bright and shiny as well.The same purpose can be served by all of them.

If you don't pre-drill, you may cause cracking in the stucco if you nail directly into the wall.

The best way to nail into stucco is by pre-drilling into it and using any type of nail, not just a hardened masonry nail.

To drill through the stucco, you will need a masonry/concrete bit which is sold at many different places like Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes and other smaller hardware stores.

The stucco will have minimal holding power, so you have to remember that you are just drilling through the stucco to get to the wood behind it.

You want a drill bit that is the same size as the nail's shaft, not the head.You only need to drill through the stucco, not the wood.

If you have a drill bit that is the same size as the nail's shaft, you will get the added benefit of having the stucco hold it in place more snug, as opposed to having too large of a hole.

The length of a nail.Depending on what you are hanging, will play a role in the process.The length of the nail is related to the type of nail you are using, but some nails have different lengths to choose from.

Most items will work if you hang them with an 8d, 10d or 16d nail.It's a good idea to use roofing nails that are at least 2 years old.

It is always better to use a galvanized nail on exterior stucco to prevent the nail from rusting and staining the wall.

It is important to note that a 1 coat/2 coat stucco system will be close to 1 1/2 inches thick.A 2 1/2 inch nail is enough for most cases.

Some people might encounter an empty space after they drill through the stucco and this will usually be due to an "open stud" type of stucco application, where the use of plywood or OSB was not used.

If this is the case, you will have to find a stud to nail into or use a concrete anchor and screw.To prevent future issues, be sure to fill any unused holes you make with caulking.

I wanted to point out that a 3 coat stucco system uses less cement than a 1 coat/2 coat system.If your building has a 1/2 coat stucco system installed, you can nail through it much easier than if you have a 3 coat system.

You can check to see which stucco system is on your house by doing a few things.

Ryan has been in the construction trades for many years and he feels that there is a huge knowledge gap when it comes to certain trades.I hope the information here is useful.Thank you for stopping by!

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