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.

When nailing shingles proper penetration into the roof deck is essential to ensure the nail and shingle remain secure. Roofing nails are made of galvanized steel to protect them from the elements. 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. 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.

However leave one edge of the roofing unnailed. If you need bigger nails including pikes you may need to place a special order at the hardware store. The one to two inch roofing nails are suitable for most types of roof shingles. A large nail head and heavier shank gauge provide greater holding power.

Nails of the proper length should penetrate three fourths of an inch into the roof deck. More than 1 layer of roofing not recommended over 3 8 sheathing. 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.

Nails that are longer than six inches are called pikes and they are seldom used on roofs. A countersunk nail will rip the shingle and a nail that is not completely nailed down will eventually work its way out. The most commonly used roofing nails range from one to two inches in length. Roofing nail should have a barbed shank until the head which eliminates nail pops blow offs and roof leaks.

The nails should begin 3 4 of an inch from the roofing s edges. Nails should have a minimum nominal shank diameter of 11 or 12 gauge and a minimum head diameter of three eighths of an inch.