Your roof is probably one of the most important aspects of your home being safe and functional for your family. Even having running water or a working HVAC unit doesn't matter if your roof has a big hole in it! This is why a roofing project is so important to get right. You need to get the entire process perfectly correct, right down to buying the right type of roofing nails.

Roofing endeavors, such as fastening shingles, require the use of roofing nails. Not all roofing nails are the same though! There are roofing nails available in a variety of materials and sizes that make them more durable than standard or traditional nails. So, which nails will work best for your roofing system?

The first thing to do is to find the right materials, usually either copper roofing nails or stainless steel nails. The last thing you want is all of your hard work ruined when that ugly red stain begins to creep across your roof. Regular steel consists of iron and carbon, along with a few other elements added to achieve desired characteristics. Steel is an incredibly strong material, but it’s also prone to rust. Stainless steel is your best bet for avoiding rust, but the truth is that this statement really depends on the quality. Nails made out of type 304 stainless steel are made with chromium and nickel and are rust-resistant. If you absolutely do not want rust on your outdoor project, nails are made from type 316 stainless steel with the polymer molybdenum is the nail type of purchase and use. Copper is also naturally rust resistant and a great choice for roofing projects when specified by the manufacturer.

They should have a nominal shank diameter of 10 or 11 gauge and a minimum head diameter of 3/8 of an inch. A roofing nail has a diamond-shaped sharp point to help it nail through decking without splitting it. That is why it is important to use only roofing nails when doing a roofing job. Nails are available in smooth shanks and ring shanks.

If you don't start out with the right type of nail for a roofing job, it won't matter what length they are. Once you've gotten the right type of nail, though, you can move on to the specifics. Nails should be long enough to penetrate 3/4 of an inch into a roof deck. If your roof is less than 3/4 of an inch, your chosen nails should be long enough to penetrate and extend at least 1/8 of an inch through the roof deck.

Using the correct type of nail will ensure that your roof stays intact for many years to come. We hope this information answered any and all questions you had about finding the correct type, material, and length of roofing nail. If it didn't, simply reach out and ask! You can give us a call at 1-877-593-2723 or email sales@fastenerusa.com with any additional inquiries.