Spikes

Spikes are heavy-duty fasteners designed for maximum holding power in wood, concrete, and soil. Whether you’re building a retaining wall, securing landscape timbers, fastening furring strips to masonry, or driving anchors for fence posts, the right spike delivers strength, speed, and long-term reliability. Their larger diameter and longer lengths create superior shear and withdrawal resistance compared to standard nails, making them a go-to solution for demanding outdoor and structural tasks.

Common types you’ll find:
- Timber and landscape spikes: 8–12 inch, round or square shank, ideal for railroad ties, sleepers, edging, and cribbing.
- Cut/railroad spikes: square profile that bites into rough-sawn lumber and ties.
- Concrete/masonry spikes: hardened steel, often fluted or tapered, for attaching wood or metal to cured concrete, brick, or block.
- Ground/post spikes: drive-in anchors that set posts without digging, popular for fencing, signage, and temporary structures.

Key material and coating options:
- Hot-dip galvanized spikes (ASTM A153) for robust corrosion resistance in exterior use.
- Stainless steel spikes (304/316) for coastal, wet, or chemically aggressive environments.
- Bright or phosphate-coated for interior or temporary applications.

How to choose:
- Match spike type to substrate (wood, masonry, soil).
- Size length at roughly 2.5x the thickness of the thinner member for wood-to-wood connections.
- Use ring or spiral shanks for improved pullout resistance in softer woods.
- Select galvanized or stainless for landscaping spikes, deck framing, and outdoor fixtures.

Installation tips:
- Wear eye and hand protection; use a heavy hammer, sledge, or post driver.
- Pre-drill pilot holes in dense hardwoods (60–75% of shank diameter) to reduce splitting.
- For concrete spikes, pre-drilling a slightly undersized hole in very hard substrates can improve seating and reduce cracking.

From galvanized landscape timber spikes to hardened concrete spikes and drive-in post spikes, explore sizes, coatings, and trusted brands to match your job, budget, and environment.