Can you use roofing nails for siding?
Short answer. Sometimes. Galvanized roofing nails are commonly used to hang vinyl siding, and some fiber cement products list a roofing nail in their fastener charts, but wood siding usually calls for siding nails with smaller heads and better corrosion protection. The siding manufacturer's installation guide is the rule that matters, because the wrong fastener can void its warranty.
By siding type
- Vinyl: corrosion-resistant roofing nails fit the usual spec of a large head and sturdy shank, as long as they are driven loose so the panel can move.
- Fiber cement: fastener charts vary by product and by whether the siding is blind nailed or face nailed. Some list roofing nails for certain applications; follow the chart exactly.
- Wood lap siding: use siding nails, preferably stainless or hot-dipped galvanized, with ring or spiral shanks. Roofing nail heads look bulky when face nailed, and cedar can streak black where its natural tannins react with poorly coated steel.
- Engineered wood siding: the maker specifies nail type, head size and spacing.
- Aluminum siding: aluminum nails, so dissimilar metals do not corrode each other.
Why roofing nails sometimes do not fit
Roofing nails are short, usually 1 1/4 to 2 inches, because they only need to get through shingles and a roof deck. Siding often needs longer nails to reach studs or solid sheathing through foam insulation and the siding itself. Electro-galvanized roofing nails also have thinner coatings than many siding applications call for.
Where siding meets the roof
The most leak-prone spot in any siding job is where a wall runs down alongside a roof. Siding should stop above the shingles, with step flashing behind it and a kickout flashing at the bottom to throw water into the gutter. Our guide to roof flashing shows how those pieces work, and common causes of roof leaks explains what happens when they are missing.