Any type of roofing project is incredibly important to get right because, well- your roof is really important! If you have the tools, knowledge, and know-how to do a roofing project on your own, you're going to save money. That being said, if you do it wrong and it needs to be repaired and redone by professionals later on down the line, you may end up spending more than what you would have had to pay originally. This doesn't even take into account the potential safety hazards of you and your family living in a home with a faulty roof. Clearly, this task is one you must get one hundred percent correct.

One of the most basic aspects of any roofing job is in regards to the roofing nails you will be using. This is not just what type of nails are best for roofing projects, but also how many you will need. Can you calculate ahead of time how many roofing nails this task will require?

Generally, you should use four nails per shingle. For regular three-tab shingles, this would require 320 nails per square. This is just a baseline, though. If you live in a place known for high winds, like South Florida or the coast of Texas, or when shingles are being applied to a mansard, six nails per shingle are required (480 nails per square).

When using a 1.5-inch roofing nail, they usually have a large 11-gauge shank and an oversize, 3/8-inch flathead. These nails are available in hot dipped galvanized, which helps them withstand sun and rain on your roof. About 185 of these nails weigh one pound. You will need approximately 1.7 pounds of nails to install a square of shingles in regular conditions, and about 2.5 pounds if you are dealing with windy conditions. Longer nails are heavier, which means sense. 

We want you to know anything and everything you need in order to do your job right. If you have more questions, we have more answers! You can contact us toll free at 1 (877) 593-2723. We'll help you find the perfect solution to your roofing job ahead.