Hand Nailing Roof Shingles Vs Nail Gun

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 nailing roof shingles vs nail gun.

Since hand nailing takes a bit more time they have the chance to correct any mistakes on the spot. Here at louisville roofing contractors we choose to hand nail shingles we have found that using pneumatic nailers can present a number of problems. If you don t have enough pressure with the first hit you hit it again. Hand nail installers are quick to feel a nail miss the wood sheathing while nail gun operators have to rely on sounds and intuition.

A hand nailer can tell better if a nail is high and will give it another hit. Older roofers know hand nailing is slower but better. Could hand nail about three squares per hour if someone laid them out for me. If the nail is driven outside that area it could impair the roof and void the manufacturer s warranty.

Though the heads of hand nails power nails are similar the surface that strikes them is different. Assuming it is nailed properly by the code then it should last the same time as being hand nailed. 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. Some roofers believe hand nailing shingles gives them more control over the process.

Below is an excellent article to help you form your own opinion. The strike pin of a power nailer is about the size of the nail head. Which is better for installing shingles on my roof hand nailing vs nail gun. However most manufactures claim that either method is a viable option.

As shingles come with code specifying that how many nails per shingle should be used. 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. They can use feel to determine if the nail is deep enough and in the right location.

Some shingles after roof traffic will cut through the upper shingle leaving an exposed nail head. Gun nailing has any significant difference on the durability of the shingles. Of course back in the day i wasn t much slower than a nail gun by hand. A good contractor will inspect the roof sheathing after it is removed to determine if nail misses are likely to occur.

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. I don t believe that hand nailing vs. Hand nail vs gun nail if the air pressure is set to low on the compressor or the guns are dirty the roofing nails will not be fastened flush to the deck and will eventually pop through the roofing shingles when self sealed or stepped upon.