Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes furniture tacks different from regular nails?
A: Furniture tacks are made just for upholstery work. They have shorter shanks and heads that are bigger in relation to the shank than regular nails. Regular nails are mostly used to hold things together, but furniture tacks are designed to look good as well as work well. Many of them are meant to be seen as decorative elements.
Q: What are the main kinds of tacks that can be used for different jobs?
A: The world of tacks is surprisingly varied, and each kind has its own use. Common types are upholstery tacks, which hold fabric to furniture frames; thumb tacks, which have wide, flat heads for bulletin boards; carpet tacks, which hold down floor coverings; and cut tacks, which have square shanks and hold wood better. In upholstery, for example, you can find decorative nailheads, blind tacks that hold things together without showing, and gimp pins that hold trim in place.
Q: How can I install decorative upholstery tacks without hurting them?
A: To put in decorative upholstery tacks, you need the right tools and know-how. Use a pencil to lightly mark your pattern on the surface of the furniture. Use pliers or a special quick nailer to hold the tack, then gently tap it with a tack hammer with a nylon tip. The nylon tip is very important because metal hammers will bend or scratch the decorative head.
Q: Where did decorative tacks on furniture come from?
A: Decorative tacks have been used in upholstery for about 600 years. Leather upholstery is where they came from, since sewing leather directly onto furniture frames is very hard. Early upholsterers used techniques from saddlery and cordwainery (working with leather) to hold leather covers in place with domed-headed tacks.
Q: Why choose copper tacks over standard steel tacks for certain projects?
A: Copper tacks offer two distinct advantages: natural corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal. Unlike steel, copper develops a protective patina over time rather than rusting, making these tacks invaluable for marine environments, boat building, and outdoor applications where moisture is constant. The slightly flattened shank design of quality copper tacks also prevents wood splitting along the grain—a crucial feature in fine woodworking and instrument making.
Q: Are brass upholstery tacks made of solid brass or just plated?
A: This is completely dependent on where the tacks come from and how good they are. A lot of the brass upholstery tacks you can buy today are really steel tacks with brass plating on them. These are cheaper, but the plating can wear off over time, and the steel core can rust if it gets wet. Specialty stores sell solid brass tacks with built-in brass shanks for real antique restoration and high-end work. These cost more, but they are more accurate to the time period, especially for furniture made before 1870.
Q: What's the difference between upholstery nails and upholstery tacks—or are they the same thing?
A: In modern usage, the terms "upholstery nails" and "upholstery tacks" are often used interchangeably to describe decorative fasteners used in furniture. Both feature decorative heads and are used to secure fabric while adding visual detail.
Q: Are roofing tacks useful for more than just roofs?
A: Yes, of course. Roofing tacks are useful for any outdoor job where weather resistance is crucial. They have large, flat heads and a galvanized coating that protects them from rust. They are great for holding tarps, attaching weatherproof membranes to sheds, fastening insulation boards, and even holding landscape fabric in gardens.
Q: How do I put decorative tacks in wood projects without breaking the wood?
A: To avoid splitting, especially near edges, you need to prepare the wood before you put in decorative tacks. First, choose the right size tack. Thicker shanks require more care. When working with dense hardwoods, it's a good idea to pre-drill pilot holes that are a little smaller than the shank diameter, especially within half an inch of the edges.
Q: When should I use large upholstery tacks instead of regular ones?
A: Large upholstery tacks are useful and look stylish at the same time. In practice, they're necessary for heavy fabrics like canvas, leather, or upholstery with multiple layers because regular tacks don't hold them well enough. The big head also spreads the pressure over a larger area, stopping heavy materials from pulling through.
Q: Where else can I put decorative furniture tacks besides the edges?
A: Traditionally, decorative furniture tacks are placed along the edges of arms, backs, and bases. But if you get creative with where you put them, the possibilities are endless. Use them to make geometric designs on chairs or headboards, like diamonds, chevrons, or circles that fit inside each other. You can also draw a line around the curve of an old chair to make its shape stand out.
Q: What finishes can you get for dark upholstery tacks?
A: Black upholstery tacks come in a number of different finishes that go with a variety of design styles. For a clean, modern look, the heads are painted with enamel in glossy or matte black. Oxidized or "antiqued" black finishes give pieces a weathered, worn look that works well with rustic or industrial styles. Some black tacks have a dark oxide coating from heat treatment. These "blue" tacks have a slight blackish color common in leatherwork.
Q: What do U-type tacks do, and how are they different from regular tacks?
A: U-shaped tacks, also known as staples, corrugated fasteners, or "upholstery staples" in the trade, are not the same as regular tacks. Standard tacks have one leg, but U-style fasteners have two legs connected by a crown. "Flexible tack strips" are used in upholstery to hold fabric in place without running through the visible surface. They have U-shaped teeth.
Q: Where can I buy high-quality upholstery trucks offline instead of online?
A: Local upholstery supply stores are still the most convenient place to choose what you want. This is because you can see finishes, compare sizes, and buy exactly what you want without waiting for shipping. Many cities have one upholstery supply store that has many different kinds of tack. In remote areas, fabric stores and craft stores usually have basic upholstery tacks.
Q: What do flat head tacks work best for?
A: Flat head tacks are ideally suited for jobs where the fastener has to be flush with the material surface or not be visible at all. Flat heads are not meant to be seen; they are meant for "blind tacking," which means holding fabric layers in place without being seen. You need them for inside-back panels, on the underside of arms, and anywhere else you need to hold fabric without showing hardware.
Q: What do people usually use small tack nails for when making things or building furniture?
A: Small tack nails, which are usually only 2mm to 6mm long, are used in situations where regular fasteners would be too much for the job. They are very important for building real miniatures and dollhouse furniture. Small tacks hold felt, leather, or fabric parts together without adding weight or changing the sound of the instrument.
Q: How do I pick the best upholstery tacks for fixing up furniture?
A: When choosing upholstery tacks for restoration, you need to make sure that they are historically accurate, meet functional needs, and look good together. If you have an antique piece, look up the time period. For example, furniture made before 1870 usually had solid brass tacks, while furniture made after that used brass-plated steel. Think about the weight of the fabric. Heavy upholstery needs longer shanks and maybe bigger heads to keep the pull-through from happening.
Q: Is it okay to use concrete nails to put down tack strips on concrete floors?
A: If you want to put tack strips on concrete slabs, you should use concrete nails (specifically masonry nails or cut floor nails). These are not the same as upholstery tacks. These hardened steel nails are made to go through concrete without bending. To install the tack strip, you'll need a hammer drill to make holes ahead of time. Then, use concrete nails to go through the tack strip and into the slab.
Q: What kinds of fancy upholstery tacks are there besides the basic domes?
A: Fancy upholstery tacks can be used in a huge number of ways to decorate. In addition to classic brass domes, you can also find faceted crystal-look heads for a touch of glam, enameled heads in every color for color coordination, and embossed metal heads with floral or geometric patterns. Victorian reproduction tacks have detailed scrollwork on them. Art Deco styles are very precise in their shapes. Rustic or lodge-style furniture looks good with leather-look heads that have a textured finish.
Q: When do you need large head upholstery tacks?
A: Large head upholstery tacks do important jobs that regular heads can't do. They're important for fabrics with loose weaves, like burlap or canvas. The wider head spreads the pressure so the fabric doesn't pull through the weave. Larger heads are better at keeping covers from blowing off of outdoor furniture. In marine settings, they keep canvas safe from storm winds. For temporary setups like seating for events, big heads make it easier to take them down.
Q: What sets shed felt tacks apart from regular nails for roofing?
A: Shed felt tacks, also known as clout nails, are made specifically for use with roofing felt. The extra-large, flat head (usually 9mm or more in diameter) is what makes them stand out. It acts like a tiny washer, spreading pressure evenly to keep the felt from tearing around the fastener. The heavy galvanized coating is just as important because it can last for decades in rain and snow without rusting. Standard nails would rust quickly and stain or break.
Q: How many shed roof felt tacks should I use for every square meter of roofing?
A: Depending on how much wind the shed roof gets, you should plan on using about 20 to 30 shed roof felt tacks per square meter of roofing. For a secure hold, space tacks every 75–100 mm (3–4 inches) along the edges and overlaps. There is enough hold on the main field with 150mm (6 inch) spacing in both directions. Important places are along the ridge, at all laps (where felt pieces overlap), and around edges where the wind can get in.
Q: What is the difference between tacks for shoes and regular tacks?
A: Shoe nails tacks, which are also known as shoe tacks or lasting tacks, are made with great care for building and fixing shoes. They have chisel or diamond points that are made to go through thick leather and rubber without splitting, unlike regular tacks. The shanks are often a little tapered for the best clinching. When the tip goes through the sole and the inner sole, it should bend over (clinch) against a metal last, making a permanent mechanical lock.
Q: Are push pins and thumb tacks the same thing?
A: Even though people often use the terms "thumb tacks" and "push pins" to mean the same thing, they are not the same thing. Classic thumb tacks have a flat, wide head (usually made of metal or plastic) and a short, sharp point. You press them into cork or soft boards with your thumb, which is where the name comes from. Push pins are easier to take out because they have a longer point (⅜" instead of ¼") and a bigger grip end. Push pins usually have heads made of colored plastic or glass so they are easy to see and hold.
Q: What does a full set of upholstery nails and tacks for a professional shop include?
A: Most professional upholstery shops have a wide range of nails and tacks. Decorative nails come in a variety of finishes, such as brass, nickel, antique, and enamel, and head sizes, from delicate 6mm to large 15mm, for visible detailing. Blind tacks with flat heads that hold fabric to frames without being seen. Gimp pins are small tacks with small heads that are made to hold trim and braid in place. For the best holding power in hard woods, use square-shank tacks.
Q: Do brass upholstery tacks lose their shine over time? Should I care?
A: Yes, real brass upholstery tacks will tarnish and get a patina over time. In fact, for many uses, this aging is a good thing. The warm, mellowed look of old brass gives antique reproduction furniture a real character that shiny new tacks don't have. You might want to keep modern pieces bright by polishing them with brass cleaner every now and then. Brass tacks can be artificially aged with liver of sulfur or other patination solutions if you want to speed up the aging process for a certain look.
Q: What are thumb tacks for upholstery, and how are they different from thumb tacks for the office?
A: Even though they have similar names, office thumb tacks and upholstery thumb tacks are used for very different things. Upholstery thumb tacks, which are also known as "upholstery tacks with thumb grips," are special fasteners with longer, stronger shanks that are made to go through upholstery fabrics and furniture frames. They often have heads that are a little rougher to help you grip them better when you press them by hand before hammering them in.
Q: How do I drive shoe tacks in the right way without bending them?
A: To drive shoe tacks correctly, you need to know how to do it. First, choose the right length. The tack should go through the sole and inner sole and just start to clinch against the metal last. Use lasting pliers (specialized shoe repair pliers) to hold the tack in the exact spot you want it. To set the point, start with a light tap and make sure it's straight up and down. Tacks that are angled almost always bend. Once you start, hit the nail with a shoemaker's hammer hard, letting the hammer's weight do the work instead of your muscles.
Q: Are picture-hanging tacks safe for all kinds of walls?
A: No, you need to use picture-hanging tacks that are right for your wall type. If you hit a stud, small picture tacks or finishing nails will work on drywall. If not, use the right wall anchors. For plaster and lath walls, which are common in older homes, small common nails or specialized plaster tacks work best. Their thicker shanks push the plaster out of the way and hold onto the wooden lath behind them, unlike thin wire nails that break the surface. You need hardened masonry nails or concrete tacks for masonry walls because regular tacks will bend or break.
Q: How do I keep brass furniture tacks on old furniture?
A: How you care for brass furniture tacks depends on how you want them to look and how you want to restore them. Many experts say that the best way to care for real antiques is to only clean them gently. Use a soft brush to get rid of dirt, but leave the natural patina that has built up over the years or centuries as a record of history. When you want a bright finish on reproduction pieces, use brass polish sparingly with a soft cloth. Be careful not to get polish on the wood or fabric around it.
Q: What design statements do large decorative upholstery tacks make?
A: Large decorative upholstery tacks make bold, confident design statements that smaller hardware cannot achieve. They telegraph "craftsmanship" and "substance"—each tack is deliberately visible, announcing that the piece was made with attention to detail. On leather furniture, substantial tacks reinforce the masculine, durable character of the material. On velvet or formal fabrics, overscale tacks create intriguing contrast—delicate texture against substantial metal. Spacing matters: close-set large tacks create a continuous metallic line that defines edges dramatically; widely spaced large tacks become punctuations, drawing the eye to individual gleaming points. Whether used on a grand Chesterfield sofa, a substantial headboard, or imposing armchairs, large decorative tacks declare that this furniture was meant to be noticed and to last.