How much do roofing nails cost, and which ones does a roof need?
Short answer. Roofing nails are one of the cheapest parts of a roof: a box of galvanized roofing nails costs little next to a single bundle of shingles, and coil nails for nail guns come in boxes of several thousand. What matters far more than the price is using the right nail and placing it correctly, because nails driven in the wrong spot are a common reason shingles blow off.
What the code requires
The International Residential Code, which Georgia uses with state amendments, calls for asphalt shingles to be fastened with roofing nails, not staples, made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper. Nails need at least a 12-gauge shank and a 3/8-inch head, and must be long enough to penetrate at least 3/4 inch into the sheathing, or all the way through thinner sheathing.
Choosing nails
- Length. Shorter nails work for a single layer of shingles on standard decking. Ridge caps and other spots with stacked layers need longer nails.
- Hand-drive or coil. Small repairs use loose nails by the box or pound. Crews use collated coil nails in pneumatic nailers.
- Corrosion resistance. Use galvanized or better. Bright, uncoated nails rust.
How many a roof uses
Most shingles get at least four nails, and six in high-wind installations or where the manufacturer requires it. That works out to a few hundred nails per square, so even a large roof uses an inexpensive quantity.
Why placement matters more than price
- Nails must go in the manufacturer's nailing zone. Nails placed too high miss the shingle below and cut wind resistance.
- Overdriven nails cut through the mat; underdriven or crooked nails hold the shingle up and tear through it.
- Exposed nail heads leak unless sealed.
See wind damage to roofs in Georgia and roof anatomy explained.