Which type of nail has a small head and is countersunk into the material and then filled?

• A. common
• B. finishing
• C. penny
• D. box

Answer: (B)

Finishing nails are used when a fastener should disappear into the surface for a clean, professional look. Their small heads are designed to be driven flush or slightly below the surface, so you can then fill the tiny hole with wood putty or filler. This combination—tiny head, countersink capability, and finishable surface—makes them the go-to choice for trim and cabinet work where you don’t want visible nail heads.

Common nails have much larger heads that stay visible and aren’t intended to be filled for a seamless finish. Penny is a sizing term, not a nail type, so it doesn’t describe the feature of a nail designed for countersinking and filling. Box nails do have smaller heads than common nails, but they’re not specifically chosen for the purpose of a finished, filled look in cabinetry.