One of the most significant advantages of using a roofing nail is that it creates a stronger bond than a roofing staple on the roof decking. NOTE: Not all products featured will be available in your area. Pull the felt tight so that it lies flat and straight. The average roll of 15-pound roofing felt covers about 400 ft2, or 4 squares, while the average roll of 30-pound roofing felt covers about 200 ft2, or 2 squares. Specification Material: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper. When the shingles are installed the felt is not going anywhere. Lay it over metal flashing edges around vents and pipes. It is important to note that the nail and staple roofing felt have these outstanding qualities. 18 ($1.06/Sq Ft) $11.99 $11.99. Unroll the start of the first course, align with the edges and chalk line, and tack down the gable edge. Today, the penny system refers specifically to nail length. Roofing felt nails like cap nails are generally more expensive than staples. Roofing felt underlayment before installation often corresponds with the local building codes and makes it easier to keep insects, vectors, and even dust particles away from the building. They are the most basic type of roofing nail and cheaper than the other two options. Roofing felt nails are less visible than staples, which give your roof a neater appearance. . Though they vary greatly in material, size and type, all roofing nails share one helpful characteristic: a diamondshaped point. Shed Roof vs. Gable Roof Comparison Guide. Well walk you through the types, sizes and materials you may choose from when picking a roofing nail. Roofing nails are the most common type of fastener used to attach asphalt shingles to the roof deck. Roofing staples have a broad, flat head that helps to keep them in place and prevent them from pulling through the roofing material. (Follow Correct Way), What Does A Roof Certification Cover? In addition to these, nail felts are made from steel and used only to secure the roofing felt underlayment. The Best Roof Underlayments of 2023 - Picks from Bob Vila How to install roofing battens - 4 simple steps | Marley Proper roofing practices call for a plywood roof deck at least one inch thick, 3/4-inch galvanized nails, and 3/8-inch head nails. Nevertheless, the proper thing to do is always to check the requirements of your local building authority before starting or embarking on a building project. Fortunately, galvanized roofing nails and steel nails pass the building code test. Roofing nails should be 1-1/4 to 2 inches long to ensure that it sufficiently penetrates and embeds in the roof sheathing. Sheathing that gets wet before the roofing material can go on should be allowed to dry thoroughly before continuing. 1. in normal wind zones. The main drawbacks are cost and the need to use capped fasteners. The number of nails youll need for your roofing felt will depend on a few factors. You can also install asphalt shingle roofs using either a staple or nailer. Aside from the lightweight of the roof staples, it is highly inexpensive and cost-effective, which is one of the reasons why most individuals or companies prefer to use them. Roofers tend to use the roofing nails they already have on hand to install flashing. In terms of durability, felt nails are more durable than staples. Trim the felt, so it is flush with the face of the drip edge. Cap nails or nails with a 3/8-inch head are also a good choice for roofing felt, as theyre less likely to come loose over time. Nail down squarely (90 degrees) into the deck to secure caps flush to the underlayment. As a result, they are less susceptible to jamming and easily reload. The steps are pretty much the same whether its a big roof or a small one. Aug 15, 2010. The standard size for roofing felt paper is categorized into four. Choosing longer rolls will allow you to cover more roof surface with fewer seams. However, the process can be tedious, as you must constantly stop and reload the nail gun, adding more time to your roofing project. This means that using a staple to nails is four staples to 1 nail. First, its available capacity load, adjustable drive depth, and universal design make compatibility easy: the nails and the shingle. Prevent Ice Dams If youre unsure how to install roofing felt or are just looking for some pointers, this guide is all you need. The head diameter is typically a standard 3/8-inch for all roofing nails. After unrolling the first 5 to 10 or so, tack the gable edge and centerline of the paper once its aligned with the chalk line. Roofing nails that are 11- or 10-gauge are also allowed by most building codes as they are thicker and sturdier. $3.19 $ 3. The rise is the height from the edge of your roof to the peak, while the run is the distance from the eaves to the peak. Roofing nails are a type of nail that is made specifically for use in the installation of the different parts of the roof, like the roofing felt, the shingles, sheet metal, flashing, or roof tiles. Felt nails are less visible than staples. What Type of Nails Should be Used with Shingles? As you work, the paper can be tacked down in the center so it wont blow away. Unfortunately, when it comes to asphalt shingle roofs, they fall short in having enough holding strength. Amazon.com: Roofing Felt For more tips on roof installation and tools, read our article about choosing between a nail gun and a roofing hammer. Each higher number in the penny system represents a 1/4-inch length increase, up to a 12d nail (3 1/4 inches long). Use four roofing nails per shingle, as indicated on package instructions (six nails in high-wind areas). When protected by well-maintained shingles, the underlay will last between 20 and 30-years, or as long as the asphalt shingles. Roofing nails are available in lengths ranging from one to two inches. Overlaps will typically be minimum 50mm and will depend upon the slope of the roof. When ridge vent installation is performed correctly, the vent increases the home's energy efficiency and extends the life of the roof. Use only plastic cap, corrosion-resistant nails or staples with plastic caps. Also note that nails are sold by the pound, and if youre a professional roofer, it may benefit you to buy in bulk in order to reduce costs. 1. Unfortunately, it's not rated for fire resistance. It is required to block any rain that gets under or between shingles from penetrating into the wood decking. Roll out about 10 feet of felt and fasten with staples or roofing nails with plastic washer heads. Paper can be fitted around vent pipes by cutting a slit and then putting it over the pipe. For roofs with slopes greater than 4/12, a minimum overlap of 2-inches between courses is required. It is available in rolls of 15 and 30-pounds per hundred square feet. 2 1 Overlap the corner by enough to trim the edge of the end shingle properly. Surface treatment: polish, electro galvanized, hot dipped galvanized or vinyl coated. Overlap the end of a roll about 4 inches with the start of a new roll and fasten both pieces to the decking. Also, you can use an aluminum or copper nail, depending on your location. It will protect the roof for about a month without shingles, provided it is fastened properly and it isnt too windy. At intermediate supports, fasten panels 12 inches on center. Of course, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the planning, preparation, or execution, you can reach out to professionals in your area. The drip edge is nailed every 8 to 12 with 1 roofing nails, and the ends project 3/4 past the rake or gable end. of the shingle tabs where the bottom edge of the tab meets the top of the cutout. How to Replace Roofing Felt on Your Home - Arrow Fastener In this case, youll want to use roofing nails made of robust materials such as steel or aluminum. Multiply the width by the height for the square footage of each section, then add the . Avoid using cement on the roofing felt, especially if you plan to re-shingle the roof that day. The actual process of putting down the underlayment will be one of the fastest parts of the entire roofing process. The roofing nailers are designed for driving 12-gauge nails up to a depth of 1 inch whereas the framing nailer shoots large 16d nails to a depth of 3 inches. Square cap nails may have a smooth or coiled shank. Leave about 5cm between each nail, and ensure the sheet is pulled tight and sitting in line with the roof. Many factors have influenced the shift from using felt nails in modern times. Some roofing felts are actually glued down. When preparing to shingle or reshingle a roof, laying roofing felt offers an extra barrier against moisture. Attach or tack roofing felt to galvanized or aluminum 12-gauge roofing nails with a 3/8" head diameter with stainless steel staples 1*4" to 12" T50 staples or 7/8" staples to 1/2-inch hot dipped galvanized or aluminum nails. There are two ways to measure the size of a roofing nail diameter and length. Roofing nails are cleverly designed to help you do a better job. When nailing shingles, proper penetration into the roof deck is essential to ensure the nail and shingle remain secure. Make sure to expose 5 in. You may find roofing nails identified by their penny length. (A Beginners Guide) Done. So, choose these nails where performance, especially wind resistance, is a priority. Galvanized nails are also available in a variety of lengths and sizes. The downside of roof nails is that they are bulkier and prone to multiple jams while working with them. Tack about every 4 on gable edges and 8 or so everywhere else. This means they may lose over time, especially in high winds or severe weather conditions. Fasten drip edge on eaves with galvanized nails and a hammer, about 12 inches apart, before laying roof felt. Table R803.2.3.1 specifies the maximum fastener spacing based on framing specific gravity, exposure category, and wind speed. By the end of your read, you should know how to install felt underlayment for asphalt shingles. Add 10% to the shingle estimate to account for waste. The most common width is 36", although they are sometimes available in other sizes. Felt nails are more expensive than staples. So for the 24 square roof example, you would need 2.4 rolls of synthetic underlayment, or 6 rolls of regular #15 felt. Recently, things have changed as staples are no longer fancied or used as roofing felt underlayment. Nail shank diameter should be at least 11-12 gauge for roofs. One IKO test found that ring shank nails have 300% more strength than smooth shank nails. Staples are used with a variety of roofing materials. Its general knowledge that nail roofing felt, and staples are almost the same and give desired results: securing or holding the roofing felt. Ideally, the roof should be done when there is a forecast for several days without a lot of rain. Where a roll ends and a new one is begun, the two rolls should be overlapped by four inches. It effortlessly discharges up to 1500 staples per single 1.5Ah battery charge and has a power adjustment for different materials. Whichever material you choose for your nails, remember that roofing nails are on the exterior of homes and therefore the outer surface needs to be corrosion-resistant. 30-pound roofing felt costs more, but also offers more protection. (Must Read This). The roof leg has one to three ridges to slow moisture movement, the smooth vertical leg sheds water, and the kick-out pushes it away from the facia. There will be a tiny gap on one side of the nail or the other. The best roofing nails for 7/16 sheathing are 3/8-inch to 7/16-inch diameter. If your building codes require thicker sheathing, youll need 1 -inch nails. Roof nails are available in 12-, 11- and 10-gauge. This makes them the better option for most people. Roll out the first course, align it, tack it down with galvanized nails or staples, and cut it to size. Finished Product We'd love to see how your project to replace roofing felt turned out! In terms of the installation, there is not much difference between the two fastening systems. Staples are also not as durable as nails and are more likely to come loose in high winds. You should use 12-gauge or thicker. Roll out the first course, tacking it down as you go. roofing company near me. #12 x 1 in. Plastic Round Cap Roofing Nail (3,000-Pack) Some suggest you fill this hole with roofing cement, but this repair option must be done carefully to maintain the roofs water-shedding performance. Synthetic underlayment comes in 10 square rolls, while regular #15 felt comes in 4 square rolls. Roofing felt on high-traffic roofs, for example, must be able to stand up to a lot of wear and tear. Leave the top portion of the paper loose. If the guide was helpful, please share it with others. Starting at the eave, 36-inch-wide (914 mm) strips of underlayment felt shall be applied overlapping successive sheets 19 inches (483 mm) and fastened sufficiently in place. The most common shingle roofing nail size is 3/8 inch diameter with a 1-1/2 or 2-inch length. Bob Haring has been a news writer and editor for more than 50 years, mostly with the Associated Press and then as executive editor of the Tulsa, Okla. The layers of felt should be overlapped by 1 inch as you work toward the roof ridge. Installing roof felt is a two-person job. Staples are faster and easier to use as an underlayment. So, with rounding, youll need 10 rolls of 15 pound felt or 20 rolls of 30-pound felt. If youre installing by the High Wind Application, youll use two more nails a shingle, so 360 nails per square. They are also available in both hand-drive and pneumatic versions. However, as roofing nails will usually be hidden by the shingles above them, steel nails dont detract from the look of the roof. Staples or Nails? Choosing the Right Fastener for Wall and Roof 1. Rolls of felt are 36 wide x 144 long for 15# and 72 long for 30#. This is because staples are more likely to rust and break over time. Various nail shank types for different requirements. To calculate the appropriate roofing nail length, add the thickness of the shingles and underlayment to the thickness of the sheathing. Installing the roofing felt does take care, but can go very quickly. Fasten drip edge on eaves. Below we will explore an in-depth analysis of the two fastening systems to help you select the right one for your needs. Can Roofing Felt be Glued? Nevertheless, it is essential always to consult the products to see if the producers have a laid-down procedure of which of the two roofing options are best for their products and how you should use them. Felt nails have a higher holding power compared to staples. (Explained), Uneven Transition Between Cement Board And Drywall, Drywall Anchor Keeps Breaking (Causes & Fixes). Metal Mesh in Drywall: All You Need To Know, Does Drywall Tape Need To Be Completely Covered? You dont need to use cap nails or another special type of nail for this purpose. Place your nails in a plastic cap or one with nails. Determine the bundles of shingles needed to cover the roof. All nails and staples should be placed on the lower half of the paper. Is Roofing Felt Necessary on a Shed? - Plasticine House How to Estimate Roofing Materials: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow They can also be unsightly if they rust or break over time. The Best Roofing Nails For Shingles; Ultimate Project Guide Step-by-Step Ridge Vent Installation Instructions - Fine Homebuilding Taking the time to properly prepare the sheathing will make all the difference in how quickly and easily the felt paper is installed. Head diameter According to the IBC, the minimum head diameter for a roofing nail that's in compliance with IBC guidelines is 9.5mm. For slopes greater than 4/12 a single layer of felt is acceptable. This is because the nails are small and blend in with the paper backing of the roll. Still, these rings give the nail extra staying power, or grip, in the shingles and sheathing. That depends on the exposure and coverage of your shingles.