Roofing Staples Versus Roofing Nails

by Kevin Smith Author

If you’ve already decided it’s time to put a new roof on your home, you may have also decided which contractor you’d like to hire and what types of shingles you’d like to use. The fasteners you choose to use are also an important consideration, as they’ll be responsible for holding your roof together over the course of its lifetime.

The two primary types of roofing fasteners are staples and nails. Each has its own strengths and its own drawbacks. Before beginning your roofing project, it’s wise to consider the benefits of each to determine which option you’ll prefer in the long run. Whether you choose roofing nails or roofing staples in Lawrenceville, know what each has to offer before making a decision.

Staples

Roofing staples are a popular way of attaching shingles to your sheathing. Though nails seem to dominate the roofing industry these days, there is still a place for stapling, especially if you’re planning on handling your roofing job as a do-it-yourself project. Two of the primary benefits of staples are that they are cheap and extremely easy to use. Generally, they are deployed using an air staple gun, which allows precise placement while allowing you the speed to move quickly. Another positive point about staples is their holding power, as the crown of a staple can hold shingles tightly in place. That said, for maximum holding power to be realized, the crown of the staple must be perpendicular to the shingle itself, otherwise tearing can occur under the force of strong winds. It’s also a good idea to check with local regulations to make sure staples are allowed in your area, as some areas that are susceptible to frequent high winds prohibit them in new constructions.

Nails

Nails are more common now than ever before in roofing applications, and it’s easy to see why. They offer the most holding power and will keep your shingles firmly in place against even strong winds. Nails can be purchased in a variety of materials, but galvanized steel or copper nails resist corrosion and will last the lifetime of your roof. Using a coil nailer can make roofing a simple task, as it allows a high degree of precision, and unlike staples, you won’t have to worry about lining up your fastener with your shingle axis. The primary drawback of using nails is that they are more expensive than staples. Also, a coil nailer is typically heavier and more cumbersome than a staple gun, which matters over the course of a roof restoration project.

If it’s time to put a new roof on your home, consider whether you’ll want to hold that roof together with roofing nails or roofing staples in Lawrenceville. Each has its strengths and limitations, but either will provide you with a long-lasting roof if properly installed.