Roofing With Staples Vs Nails

In the past when it came to the debate of roofing nails versus staples the industry was split down the middle.

Roofing with staples vs nails.

Coil nail guns are literally fed with a coil of nails and the holder for the nails makes the gun much bulkier. 5 8 staples which penetrate only 1 4 can pull out with as little as 1 lb. Staples made of at least 16 gauge galvanized steel with a minimum crown of 15 16 have been and continue to be used by some applicators to install shingles. Staples are far less prone to jamming up in a gun than nails.

3 4 staples pull out with 5 10 lbs. For one staples cost less than nails adding to their profit per roof. It is easier to rotate your wrist using a nail gun vs a staple gun and that is hoe roofer shingle in an arc pattern rainbow effect. Click to enlarge any image.

To be honest staples installed in mild weather like pac nw wesr of the cascades. Staples are much more compact. Biggest problem with staples is that roofer install using the rainbow effect in which staples have gotton a bad rap. Staples cost less than nails offer exceptional holding strength and cover a greater area of space with a more versatile and compact collation.

Staples cost less money. A roofer can hold a bunch of sticks of staples in their pocket and reload their gun very quickly. Similarly 19 32 osb roof sheathing would be 8d common box or casing nails at 6 on center at the panel edges and 12 on center in the field or 2 16 gage staples at 4 on center at the panel edges and 8 on center in the field. Staples are not recommended by hodges roofing and most industry organizations.

From my understanding properly places staples vs properly placed 2 nails have little to no difference in holding power the argument is that staples will break easier. Roofing staple guns were light and easy to use over the newer and heavier roofing nail guns that were coming onto the market. Local codes residential say that either 2 nails or staples can be used and that s for roof and wall sheathing. Staples for shingle applications are staples recommended as fasteners for asphalt shingles.

The preferred fastener is galvanized roofing nails with a minimum 12 gauge shank and head diameter of at least 3 8 inch. Of force per staple. After all it s no surprise roofers loved staples for attaching shingles to roofing. Note the differences in the specification and length of the fasteners as well as the nail staple patterns.