New Roofing Hand Nailing Vs Nail Gun

Using a fast nail gun can be dangerous and does not insure a good roof installation.

New roofing hand nailing vs nail gun.

If the nail is driven outside that area it could impair the roof and void the manufacturer s warranty. The condition of nails can be damaged by gun nailing. Nails not places correctly will cause roof failures and this is very common with nail guns. I see it all the time.

Pneumatic nail guns vs. Driving nails with a nail gun can prove to be less than ideal. Pros and cons of hand nailing and nail gun roofing. Hand nailing also ensures accurate placement of nail on designated nail line.

The key difference between the two is accuracy. When you use a gun usually a third or under driven a third or over driven and a third or correct. Contractors who hand nail can feel whether or not the nail catches the wood but don t get that same feeling with a nail gun. I have roofing crews that can hand nail just as fast as a gun.

A hand nailed roof is hands down a better roof than using a nail gun. On the other hand labor costs will be higher. Hand nailing shingles is better than using a nail gun or a pneumatic nailer because it allows the roofers to feel the nail placement and ensure optimal installation. Ensuring that the nails are properly placed each and every time because the head of the hammer stops flush on top of the shingles.

However most manufactures claim that either method is a viable option. Since hand nailing takes a bit more time they have the chance to correct any mistakes on the spot. Click here to view my recommended gear page to see which roofing hammer and tools i believe are the best. The depth of the nails may not be flush when a nail gun is used.

These nail guns are powered by compressed air and give roofers a clean precise and predictable way to install shingles. Speed without experience is not good thing. In roofing projects pneumatic nail guns are the most commonly used tool to drive nails into the shingles. Gun nailing has the potential to be less accurate.

While air gun nailing might seem faster a well trained hand nailer can do it almost as fast. Some roofers think that using a nail gun delivers the same level of precision as hand nailing. Gun nailing can result in nails being over driven too deep into the roof or under driven not flush with the shingle.