Proper Roofing Nails

The most commonly used roofing nails range from one to two inches in length.

Proper roofing nails.

More than 1 layer of roofing not recommended over 3 8 sheathing. Nails should have a minimum nominal shank diameter of 11 or 12 gauge and a minimum head diameter of three eighths of an inch. 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 length of each nail must be a minimum of 1 inches long and for roof overs atlas recommends a nail length of at least 2 inches.

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. 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. Nails of the proper length should penetrate three fourths of an inch into the roof deck.

The international building code requires that roofing nails have a minimum 12 gauge shank and a 3 8 inch diameter head. The nails should begin 3 4 of an inch from the roofing s edges. When nailing shingles proper penetration into the roof deck is essential to ensure the nail and shingle remain secure. 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 roofing nail should have a minimum nominal shank diameter of 12 gauge 2 67 mm and a minimum head diameter of 9 5 mm. A large nail head and heavier shank gauge provide greater holding power. Roofing nails are made of galvanized steel to protect them from the elements. Nails that are longer than six inches are called pikes and they are seldom used on roofs.

However leave one edge of the roofing unnailed. A countersunk nail will rip the shingle and a nail that is not completely nailed down will eventually work its way out.