Can screws be used in place of nails for cladding?

Squeaka

According the to standards

Structural plywood wall cladding must—

(i)

comply with AS/NZS 2269; and

(ii)

be fixed in accordance with the following:

(A)

Where structural plywood acts as combined cladding and structural bracing it must comply with Table 3.5.3.4.

(B)

Sheets not more than 9 mm thick must be fixed using 2.8 or 3.5×30 mm long galvanised clouts or flat head nails spaced at—

(aa)

150 mm centres along sheet edges; and

(bb)

300 mm for intermediate fixings.

(C)

Sheets more than 9 mm thick must be fixed with 2.8 or 3.5 mm galvanised clouts or flat head nails with a length calculated using the following formula:

Minimum nail length (L) = plywood thickness + (10 x diameter of nail)

(D)

The fixings must be located not less than 9 mm from the edge of the sheet.

What screws would be recommended to use in places of the 2.8 or 3.5 mm galvanised clouts or flat head nails 

Thanks

EricL

Hello @Squeaka 

For most customers, the simplest and safest advice is to stick with nails, especially when plywood cladding is structural or part of a bracing wall.

The standards are written specifically around nails, and using the correct 2.8 mm or 3.5 mm galvanised clouts or flat head nails at the stated spacings is the easiest way to meet the code. When nails are used exactly as specified, no extra approvals are usually needed, and the work stays fully compliant under the deemed-to-satisfy provisions.

Once screws are introduced, even good quality structural screws, the job becomes more complicated. The change often needs approval from an engineer or certifier because screws behave differently to nails under load. This can slow the build down, add paperwork, and sometimes add cost, which most customers are trying to avoid.

Therefore, for anyone doing structural plywood cladding, the clear recommendation is to use the specified galvanised nails and follow the fixing pattern in the standard. It keeps the build simple, avoids compliance issues, and ensures the wall performs exactly as designed.

If screws are preferred for convenience, that conversation should always include a warning that formal approval may be required from an engineer or certifier. In most cases though, staying with nails is the easiest and best-practice option.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric