Should You Use Roofing Staples or Nails for Roofing Projects?
For securing roof shingles, you’ll “nail it” if you choose roofing nails over staples
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Highlights
Roofing staples are useful for securing the felt paper underlayment of your roofing.
Staple guns are less bulky and easier to control than most nail guns.
When it comes to securing shingles, roofing nails offer more holding power and meet building codes.
While pricing between the two is comparable, roofing nails offer more durability, longer length of life, and less maintenance needs.
If a few of your shingles blew off in a storm or it’s time to replace your roof, it’s critical that you choose the right fasteners for the job. Roofing nails are highly preferred to staples for asphalt and other types of roofs because they offer more holding power, meet building codes, and are easier to install correctly.
Before you jump into your next roofing project, learn about the local building codes in your area to ensure that you’ll meet code requirements. Talk with your local roofing contractor about what they use to ensure your investment will pay off. Now, let’s look at the pros and cons of roofing staples and nails to determine what’s right for your roof.
What’s the Difference Between Roofing Staples and Nails?
The main difference between roofing staples and nails is that you typically use staples for felt underlayment, while you use nails for shingles. Staples are lighter and easier to maneuver with on roofs, while nail guns are heavier. However, different roofing nails last decades and can withstand severe wind, while staples may not hold in severe weather.
Roofing Staples
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Staple guns are lighter than nail guns | Rarely meet building codes |
| Staples are light and small | Requires more skill to properly install |
| Works well for felt paper underlayment | More likely to rip off during storms |
Roofing Nails
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Meets building codes | Nail guns are heavier |
| Easier to install | Nail guns jam more often |
| Lasts for decades | Improper installation can lead to water leaks |
Pros & Cons of Roofing Staples
You should use roofing staples to secure the felt paper underlayment of your roofing. But they don’t provide enough holding power for asphalt shingles. In fact, roof shingles secured by staples rarely meet building codes. Here are the pluses and minuses of roof staples.
Pros
Easy to maneuver a roofing staple gun: Staple guns tend to be less bulky and easier to control than most roofing nail guns.
Works well for underlayments: When it comes to securing roof underlayments, such as roofing tar paper, staples get the job done with precision and durability.
Less prone to jamming: Staple guns often jam up less than nail guns, which means you can complete the project quickly.
Effortless to carry lots of staples: A roofer can have several sticks of staples in their pocket to easily reload their gun.
Affordable: Roofing staples are inexpensive, costing anywhere from $0.01 to $0.03 per staple.
Cons
Requires more skill and attention: Poor staple placement on a shingle compromises the roof’s integrity. Staples need more detail and skill to place upright into a shingle.
Doesn’t give shingles holding power: Staples don’t maintain strength and durability when securing shingles, especially in areas with high winds. Staples are more likely to blow off or become loose.
Usually doesn’t meet building codes: Your local building authority has codes related to roofing. In many areas, stapling roof shingles does not meet code regulations, meaning your roof repair or replacement would not pass inspection.
Often improperly installed: It’s hard to hold a roofing staple gun perpendicular to the shingle. That kind of inaccuracy can lead to the staple going in at an odd angle that does not secure the shingle well.
Easy to over-drive and underdrive: An over-driven staple can dig into the shingle or crack it in cold weather. An under-driven staple won’t offer holding power.
Pros & Cons of Roofing Nails
Roofing nails are durable and hold shingles in place for decades, even in inclement weather and high winds. Nails are the standard for securing roofing shingles and meet nearly all building codes. Here’s what to know about the advantages and disadvantages of roofing nails for asphalt shingles.
Pros
Strong holding power: Using roof nails for shingles is the industry gold standard for roofing. Nails often hold up well for decades.
Easier to install correctly: Thanks to the round head of the nail, it’s easier to ensure the right depth. Even if the nail gun isn't perfectly perpendicular, the nail will offer great stability to the shingle.
Meets building codes: Galvanized, coated, or stainless steel nails meet building codes in almost all areas. Experts recommend a minimum 12-gauge shank, along with a head diameter of at least 3/8 of an inch. Depending on your home’s location, copper or aluminum roofing nails might also meet code and pass inspections.
Cons
Nail guns can be tiresome to hold and reload: A nail gun is bulkier than a staple gun. Plus, reloading the gun takes time, and it can be difficult for a roofer to carry extra nail coils with them.
Nail guns can jam: If someone drops a coil of nails, the coil might deform and lead to jamming.
Roofing Staples vs. Roofing Nails
Here are the differences between roofing staples and nails. While roofing staples are best for securing felt paper underlayment, nails are much better for shingles. Here are a few reasons why nails are the preferred option for securing shingles.
Durability
Because nails are easier to install correctly, they offer more durability and holding power than staples. Galvanized nails should last for decades.
Most durable: Nails
Price
Roofing staples cost anywhere from $0.01 to $0.03 per staple. The price of roofing nails falls into the same cost range, depending on the type and size. Staples might be slightly less expensive, but the cost difference is negligible.
Least expensive: Tie
Ease of Installation
Staples are more likely to be placed at an improper angle or too deep or shallow in the shingle. On the other hand, roofing nails have holding power even if they aren't put through at a perpendicular angle. Nails are also less likely to be over-driven or under-driven. While holding and using a nail gun for hours is more tiring than a staple gun, it demonstrates the value of a skilled roofer.
Easier to install properly: Nails
Maintenance
Using nails on your roof requires less maintenance than if you use staples. Staples are more likely to become loose or rip off during high winds. You’ll need to repair your roof or replace it more often if you use staples for your shingles.
Lower maintenance: Nails
Length of Life
Nails are more sturdy for asphalt shingles because they have more holding power, allowing the roof to last longer.
Longer life: Nails
Building Code Compliance
Roofing staples rarely meet building codes, which presents a problem if you need to pass a roof inspection or want your roof to hold up well. Most galvanized roofing nails meet local building code ordinances. Check with your local building authority to be sure you’re using the proper type of nails.
More likely to meet building codes: Nails
How Does Hand Nailing a Roof Compare to Using a Nail Gun?
Hand nailing a roof isn’t better than using a nail gun and takes much longer for the roofer to do. That’s why most roofers use nail guns to achieve quality, long-lasting results.
Talk with a local roof repair contractor about essential roofing materials and what process they use for a repair project or new roof. They can help you evaluate the services you need and give you an estimate for the roof repair costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roofers use nails to fasten roofing shingles. Like staples, pros can use screws to fasten sheathing, but they’re ineffective for roofing shingles. Screws tend to leave small gaps in the shingle material that can lead to leaks. Roofers sometimes use ring-shank nails with screw-like ridges or spirals to create an extra secure hold.
16-gauge galvanized steel staples with a minimum crown of 15/16 inches or 24 millimeters are occasionally used to install shingles. However, most shingle manufacturers or residential building codes don’t recommend staples as a roofing fastener. Roofing nails are preferred in most cases, especially in areas that get a lot of heavy wind.
Staples are better than brads when it comes to roofing applications. Pros use wide-crown staples for heavy-duty construction projects. Brad nails are ideal for finishing work and do minimal damage to the face of a material, but they’re not suited to heavy-duty applications.