Introduction
Roof decking nails hold roofing materials firmly to the roof deck. Proper nail selection, installation, and care are key to roof decking stability.
This guide reveals tips for choosing the best nails. It shares best practices for hammering in nails correctly. It advises on maintenance to prevent loosening or corrosion.
Following these nail use and care principles prevents roof leaks and roof damage.
Key Takeaways
What Are Roof Decking Nails?
Roof decking made of plywood, OSB, or panels gets mounted on top of roof trusses or rafters to create a base layer.
Special roof decking nails then get hammered through the decking to securely fasten the panels. This serves several vital structural purposes:
- Resists wind uplift forces during storms
- Provides correct roof connection to meet building codes
- Reinforces overall roof strength and integrity
In short, proper decking nail selection and installation is extremely important. But not all nails are made equal, so let’s delve deeper into specifics.
Types of Roof decking Nails
Here is a detailed overview of the different types of roof decking nails:
Smooth Shank Nails
Smooth shank nails are the most common and widely used type of roofing nail. They have a smooth shank without any threads or deformations along the length of the nail.
Smooth shank nails work well for attaching single layers of thin roof decking materials like plywood and OSB. They can be used in most general purpose roof decking applications.
They are available in a range of common nails sizes like 5d, 6d, 8d, 10d, 12d, 16d. Choose length based on deck thickness.
Ring Shank Nails
Ring shank decking nails incorporate specialty jagged “teeth” circling the nail shank below heads. The angular undercut design bites into wood framing for tremendously enhanced holding strength once fully driven home.
The teeth grip wooden roof sheathing tighter, with rear angle slopes dynamically obstructing nail extraction forces in action.
This makes ring shanks the optimal selection for roof assemblies needing reinforcement against dangerous windstorm loads.
Ridge lines, edges, openings and peaks call for fortified fastening integrity. The nails are code approved for the most extreme climate resiliency building standards.
Screw Shank Nails
Screw shank nails integrate the holding power and threading of a screw with the durability of a nail. This gives them unmatched grip.
For the most heavy duty roof decking applications over solid lumber framing. Ideal for the highest wind zones. Typically available in longer lengths like 1 inch, 1.25 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches.
Price and Nails Per Inch
When it comes to selecting nails for your project, understanding the cost and the quantity of nails per inch is crucial.
Here’s a breakdown of the price and nails per inch range for different types of nails.
| Nail Type | Cost per Pound | Nails per Inch Range |
|---|---|---|
| Smooth Shank Nails | $10-15 | 50-100 |
| Ring Shank Nails | $12-16 | 35-75 |
| Screw Shank Nails | $14-22 | 25-60 |
Key Characteristics of Roof Decking Nail Materials
Here is a detailed overview of key roof decking nail materials. Make wise choices when selecting the material for the nails.
Steel Nails
Steel is the most widely used material in roofing nail manufacturing. It offers an affordable option for budget-conscious residential and commercial roofing projects.
Steel roofing nails are available in the all range to satisfy all types of decking installations. However, their lifespan based on the gauge rating.
The thicker 11 to 12 gauge nails proving optimal performance for 15 -20 years with proper maintenance. Pay special attention to the corrosion treatment. options like galvanization or stainless steel alloys increase lifespan in humid coastal climates.
Stainless Steel Nails
Stainless steel nails have unmatched abilities to resist rust, stains, and other corrosion. To achieve such protective properties, chromium and nickel alloys comprising 10 to 30% of the steel are common.
Stainless steel nails offer superior value in the long run. This is due to lifespans beyond 20 years even in the most punishing environments. These environments include salt air, severe storms, and humidity extremes.
This material longevity combines with unparalleled structural integrity. The rigidity provides for nails that simply will not loosen or fail prematurely.
Galvanized Steel Nails
galvanized steel nails present an appealing choice. Galvanization refers to a zinc coating bonded to the steel. The zinc layer suppresses corrosion through a protective barrier.
In dryer climates, galvanized roofing nails can endure 8 to 15 years before replacement. Go for G90 grade nails boasting a minimum of 10% zinc content for optimal corrosion defense.
The galvanized zinc coat can be applied either by hot-dipping or electro-galvanization methods.
Copper Nails
Copper nails flaunt complete natural corrosion resistance without any special coatings required. Copper models to thrive anywhere from 15 to 30+ years.
Copper nails demand the highest initial cost, but also deliver lifetime value for permanent roof systems. Instead of pennyweight sizing, copper nails are sold by weight measurements. One tradeoff – the soft and pliable properties enable easy driving.
Copper is more prone to bending, so take care to avoid overdriving during installation for best results.
Installation of Roof Decking Nail
Beware common pitfalls of incorrectly installing decking nails, jeopardizing the roof:
| Issue | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Overdriving | Excessive depth causes dents/dimpling, weakening holding strength. |
| Underdriving | Insufficient depth risks uplift failure and weak structural connections. |
Best Practices
- Respect nail spacing standards per building codes (minimum 6 inches along panel edges, 12 inches in field areas).
- Use a pneumatic nail gun for large decks, ensuring the correct nail length for deck thickness. Exercise caution.
- New nails are always recommended. Avoid attempting to straighten and reuse old decking nails.
Maintinance of Roof Decking Nails
Your work is not done after installation! Adhere to maintenance instructions can save your roof in long run.
Do annual inspections for signs of corrosion, back-out, raised drip edges indicating loose nails. Apply protective nail coatings on vulnerable roofs. A simple can of clear enamel spray paint, for example, adds an extra moisture barrier.
Also do seasonal maintenance like clearing debris before winter and clearing heavy debris after storms. This preserves integrity of your roof. Proper installation of nails can provide decades of reliable structural roof reinforcement.
Appropriate Nail Length
| Factors | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Thickness of roof deck | 1.5x sheathing depth as minimum |
| Clearance gap | Consider for ventilation and expansion |
| Building code | Follow local codes for specific requirements |
| Sheathing Depths | Use 1-2 inch nails for 0.5-0.75” thickness, 2-3 inch nails for 0.75-1.25” thickness |
Appropriate Nail Diameter
Roofing nail diameter gets indicated in gauge scale. The higher numbers represent thinner nails while lower numbers equal thicker nails.
The gauge scale inverse seems counterintuitive, but provides legacy metalworking consistency. Roofing nails vary in thickness, specified by gauge numbers 12, 11 and 10.
The lower gauges shows the thicker nails. Most North American building codes require at least 12-gauge nails for roofing. While thicker 11- and 10- gauge nails also meet codes and provide added strength, they tend to cost more.
| Gauge | Description |
|---|---|
| 12 | Minimum building code thickness |
| 11 | Moderate thickness, suitable for nail guns |
| 10 | Heavy thickness, high strength |
Fix Nail Pops in a Roof
Nail pops happen when nails in the roof decking or shingles push up and break through. This occurs from natural expansion and contraction.
To fix, reset the nails and fill holes with sealant. For many pops, areas may need new decking or shingles.
Seal Exposed Nails
Over time, nail heads sticking through shingles can rust and back out. This exposes the nail shaft to leaks. Seal these using plastic cement like Henry Wet Patch.
Work it under loose shingles and over nails. Then firmly press shingles back down.
Can You Reuse Roofing Nails?
In most cases, don’t reuse old roofing nails. Weathering rusts and weakens the nails over years outdoors. Reusing them risks popping up or not properly securing shingles.
For overlay projects, you can reuse old nails by put them deeper into existing decking. But with tear-off jobs, always use new nails for best results.
Conclusions
Roofing nails are vital to secure decking and shingles. Steel nails balance strength, rust protection, and cost for most needs.
Copper nails stop all rust but are weaker and expensive. Aluminum nails overlay old shingles well but lag in weather resistance.
Climate, budget and use determine best nails. With the right nails properly installed, roofs stay protected from elements.
FAQ’s
What is the best nail for roof decking?
Galvanized steel ring-shank nails are the best for securing decking. They resist backing out and provide good holding power.
What size nails should I use for roof decking?
For most decking, use 8d galvanized nails (2-3/8″ long) which will fully penetrate the boards without poking through to the roof interior.
Should roof decking be nailed or screwed?
Decking should be nailed becasue screws have little holding power against vertical loads. The screw can more easily back out, causing roof leaks.
What nails to use for 7/16 OSB roof sheathing?
Use 6d to 8d galvanized box or sinker nails for 7/16” OSB sheathing, ensuring full penetration into roof rafters or trusses.
Should roofing nails go through the decking?
Roofing nails should pierce the decking surface but not fully penetrate, as longer nails can penetrate the roof interior and lead to roof leaking.