Click here to view my recommended gear page to see which roofing hammer and tools i believe are the best.
New roofing hand nailing vs nail gun.
These nail guns are powered by compressed air and give roofers a clean precise and predictable way to install shingles.
Nails not places correctly will cause roof failures and this is very common with nail guns.
Pneumatic nail guns vs.
Since hand nailing takes a bit more time they have the chance to correct any mistakes on the spot.
Using a fast nail gun can be dangerous and does not insure a good roof installation.
Hand driving nails into shingles allows for the roofer to place the nail on the proper nail line and then drive the nail in.
Pros and cons of hand nailing and nail gun roofing.
However most manufactures claim that either method is a viable option.
I see it all the time.
As far as it taking longer.
When you use a gun usually a third or under driven a third or over driven and a third or correct.
The condition of nails can be damaged by gun nailing.
A hand nailed roof is hands down a better roof than using a nail gun.
While air gun nailing might seem faster a well trained hand nailer can do it almost as fast.
Gun nailing has the potential to be less accurate.
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.
The key difference between the two is accuracy.
If the nail is driven outside that area it could impair the roof and void the manufacturer s warranty.
Speed without experience is not good thing.
The depth of the nails may not be flush when a nail gun is used.
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.
Hand nailing also ensures accurate placement of nail on designated nail line.
A hand nailed roof trump s a gun nailed roof any day.
On the other hand labor costs will be higher.
Some roofers think that using a nail gun delivers the same level of precision as hand nailing.
In roofing projects pneumatic nail guns are the most commonly used tool to drive nails into the shingles.