Proper Roofing Nails

A roofing nail should have a minimum nominal shank diameter of 12 gauge 2 67 mm and a minimum head diameter of 9 5 mm.

Proper roofing nails.

Nails that are longer than six inches are called pikes and they are seldom used on roofs. Roofing nails are made of galvanized steel to protect them from the elements. Roofing nail should have a barbed shank until the head which eliminates nail pops blow offs and roof leaks. Nail the roofing down every 3 inches.

The international building code requires that roofing nails have a minimum 12 gauge shank and a 3 8 inch diameter head. Wood shakes minimum 3 4 sheathing wood shakes nail type minimum length 18 straight split 5d box 1 3 4 18 and 24 handsplit and resawn 6d box 2. When nailing shingles proper penetration into the roof deck is essential to ensure the nail and shingle remain secure. When installing roofing nails always make sure the nail is flush to the shingle.

Nails of the proper length should penetrate three fourths of an inch into the roof deck. This is the side that the next sheet will be overlapping and should be nailed down only after this new sheet is on top. A large nail head and heavier shank gauge provide greater holding power. A countersunk nail will rip the shingle and a nail that is not completely nailed down will eventually work its way out.

The nails should begin 3 4 of an inch from the roofing s edges. For all owens corning shingles roofing nails should penetrate into the wood deck by a minimum of inch or completely through the roof deck by a minimum of 1 8 inch. The one to two inch roofing nails are suitable for most types of roof shingles. Nails should have a minimum nominal shank diameter of 11 or 12 gauge and a minimum head diameter of three eighths of an inch.

More than 1 layer of roofing not recommended over 3 8 sheathing. However leave one edge of the roofing unnailed.