Hand Nailing Roof Shingles Vs Nail Gun

Older roofers know hand nailing is slower but better.

Hand nailing roof shingles vs nail gun.

Could hand nail about three squares per hour if someone laid them out for me. If this is the case hand nailing should be preferred over the use of a nail gun. On the other hand labor costs will be higher. However most manufactures claim that either method is a viable option.

Under pressured tools leave the nails high causing the shingle above to be lifted and suspect to wind blow offs. Contractors who hand nail can feel whether or not the nail catches the wood but don t get that same feeling with a nail gun. They can use feel to determine if the nail is deep enough and in the right location. A good contractor will inspect the roof sheathing after it is removed to determine if nail misses are likely to occur.

The strike pin of a power nailer is about the size of the nail head. Some roofers believe hand nailing shingles gives them more control over the process. Gun nailing has any significant difference on the durability of the shingles. Though the heads of hand nails power nails are similar the surface that strikes them is different.

If you don t have enough pressure with the first hit you hit it again. Of course back in the day i wasn t much slower than a nail gun by hand. Hand nailing also ensures accurate placement of nail on designated nail line. As shingles come with code specifying that how many nails per shingle should be used.

Some shingles after roof traffic will cut through the upper shingle leaving an exposed nail head. A hand nailer can tell better if a nail is high and will give it another hit. Which is better for installing shingles on my roof hand nailing vs nail gun. Here at louisville roofing contractors we choose to hand nail shingles we have found that using pneumatic nailers can present a number of problems.

Hand nailing shingles is better than using a nail gun or a pneumatic nailer because it allows the roofers to feel the nail placement and ensure optimal installation. Hand nail installers are quick to feel a nail miss the wood sheathing while nail gun operators have to rely on sounds and intuition. Below is an excellent article to help you form your own opinion. If the nail is driven outside that area it could impair the roof and void the manufacturer s warranty.

New younger roofers use nail guns. The face of a roofing hammer is 3 4 times the size of the nail head which distributes the force of the blow over a much larger surface area. Assuming it is nailed properly by the code then it should last the same time as being hand nailed.