The Different Types Of Roofing Nails

Jul 28, 2021Blog, Roofing

Your home’s roofing system is made up of many exciting parts. It includes the roofing shingle, a deck complete with gutters that catch all your rain and snow before it wreaks havoc on everything inside, as well as those tiny nails that make sure you don’t have to worry about any leaks thanks to their incredible design.

Roofing nails may appear insignificant, but they are responsible for keeping your roofing shingles, waterproofing layer, and underlayment in place and prevents it from falling or blowing off.

You have many roofing nails to choose from, and each one has a different purpose. We’ll break down the types of roof nail options available, how they’re used in construction projects, and how they benefit your home.

 

There are three main roofing nail types available to you, these are:

 

The Smooth Shank

The smooth shank nail is the cheapest and most basic nail roofing option. It has a smooth tip, which makes puncturing your roofing material that much easier.

 

The Ring Shank

The ring shank rail has individual rings running along the nail’s shank, providing your roofing materials with extra grip to keep them in place.

 

The Square Cap

As the name suggests, the square cap nail has a square cap that helps keep your roof’s underlayment in place. Its smooth shaft provides an effortless incision in the roofing material.

The main types of roofing nails are available in different materials, which offer your roofing system improved performance.

 

Aluminum Nails

Aluminum roofing nails are a classic roof nail option. They help roofers keep lightweight materials such as asphalt shingles and thin metal roofing sheets in place.

However, these roofing nails are considered to be a weaker material compared to steel and copper nails. Aluminum roofing nails are not recommended for coastal homes due to the high salt and moisture content in the air, as this material is prone to corrosion.

 

Steel Nails

Steel nails are one of the most robust nail materials on the market today. They are available in stainless steel and galvanized steel roofing nails.

These steel nails are fantastic for fastening roofing materials like slate and ceramic in place. Their strength means that not even a heavy, solid material can push them out of the way when they’re fastened properly.

Galvanized steel nails are coated with a layer of zinc which helps them fight off any rust and corrosion, thus protecting your roofing system. This makes them great for homes in coastal areas.

Stainless steel nails are the toughest, most durable nail that will stay strong through numerous building projects. They’re used for fastening your fascia and roofing tiles and slate alike.

 

Copper Roofing Nails

Due to their beautiful rich red color, copper roof nails are often used alongside copper flashing and other home accessories. Copper nails are an excellent choice when looking for rust and corrosion-resistant material.

Copper roofing nails are a great investment for both the environment and your wallet. These brilliant little guys outlast aluminum counterparts by over 50%. Plus, they contain a chemical that prevents moss or algae growth, so it won’t end up costing you to replace them every other year, like with some of the cheaper roofing nail options available.

 

For excellent roofing services that you can always rely on, give BulletROOF a call today!