Mention the word clavos to many people, and all you'll get is a blank stare. Even though most people have seen clavos used in some capacity, they won't be immediately familiar with the term. But clavos is just a Spanish word that means "nail," and in English it is used in much the same way -- to describe a purposely decorative (but still very sturdy) nail or set of nails. If you thinking of incorporating clavos into your own project but aren't sure where to begin, take a look below at some tips for choosing the best.

Material

The first thing you will want to consider when you start looking at clavos is the material from which they are made. While almost all clavos are sturdy -- certainly much sturdier than the average furniture tack -- the type of material that you get may decide the longevity of the nail. For example, a copper clavos indoors will most likely be impervious to rust, so you're free to place it virtually anywhere in your house that is protected from the elements. Getting a copper clavos for your outdoor gate, on the other hand, is a bad idea. Zinc alloy is the material you'll want to go with if you're looking for clavos to be used outdoors.

Shape

Another important thing you will want to consider is the shape of the nail. Because clavos are both functional and decorative, they come in a wide variety of shapes that suit a multitude of different architectural styles. For example, if you're going for a clean, minimalist look, then you'll probably want to opt for small, round clavos that don't stand out too much in whatever space you decide to incorporate them. But if you're searching for clavos to complement a large wooden front door in a Spanish Revival home, then the situation definitely calls for larger, more angular clavos to be used.

Size

The last thing you'll want to think about is the size of the clavos. If the ones your purchase are too small, then they won't be functional; too large, and they'll dominate the visual space of a room so much as to be a distraction. You'll want to do some measurements first and carefully select the size of the clavos you plan on using so that you don't end up with awkwardly sized nails instead of ones that are a perfect compromise.

Contact a company like The Rustic Express to learn more.