What nails do you use for roof tiles?
Why the nail material matters
Tile can last 50 years or more, so the fasteners have to last as long. Plain or electro-galvanized nails can rust out decades before the tile wears, leaving tiles to slip. Copper and stainless are the long-life choices, with hot dipped galvanized common on concrete tile.
How tiles are attached
- Nailed through pre-formed holes into the deck or into wood battens, depending on the system.
- Not driven tight: tile is brittle. Nails are set so the tile is held but not clamped, since overdriving cracks tiles or locks them so they cannot move.
- Clips: wind or storm clips hook the nose of the tile at eaves, rakes and in higher wind areas to stop uplift.
- Foam adhesive: some systems use approved roof tile adhesive instead of or alongside nails.
- Ridge and hip tiles: set on ridge boards with nails, screws or adhesive, sometimes with mortar in traditional work.
Slate is different
Natural slate is hung with copper or stainless slating nails, usually two per slate, set so the slate hangs on the nails rather than being pinned tight.
Repairs on tile roofs
Replacing a broken tile often means sliding a new tile in and securing it with a clip, a copper strap or adhesive, since the nails of the tiles above block direct nailing. Matching tiles can be difficult in Georgia, where tile roofs are less common, so keep a few spare tiles on hand.
See roof anatomy explained and how long a roof lasts in Georgia.