What does a roofing nail size chart show for common jobs?
Short answer. Common roofing nails run from 3/4 inch to 2 1/2 inches long, with heads at least 3/8 inch wide and shanks of 10 to 12 gauge. The everyday sizes are 1 1/4 inch for shingles, 1 1/2 inch for thicker shingles, 1 3/4 to 2 inches for ridge caps and roof-overs, and 1 inch cap nails for underlayment.
Length by job
- 3/4 to 7/8 inch: thin materials and accessories. Too short for shingles on standard decks, because they cannot meet the penetration rule.
- 1 inch: underlayment with plastic caps, and some small accessory work.
- 1 1/4 inch: the standard for field shingles, starter strip and drip edge on 7/16 to 5/8 inch decking.
- 1 1/2 inch: thick designer or impact rated shingles, and repairs where extra layers stack up.
- 1 3/4 inch: hip and ridge caps, and roofing over one existing layer where allowed.
- 2 inch: thick caps, caps over ridge vents, and heavier accessory work.
- 2 1/2 inch: thick high-profile caps over vents and special flashing details.
Gauge and head
- Gauge: a smaller number means a thicker shank. 12 gauge, about 0.105 inch, is the IRC minimum for shingles; 11 gauge, about 0.120 inch, is common; 10 gauge is heavier still.
- Head: 3/8 inch minimum; many nails have 7/16 inch heads for extra hold.
Coatings
- Electro-galvanized: standard for most shingle work inland.
- Hot dipped galvanized: thicker zinc, better near salt air or treated wood.
- Stainless, copper and aluminum: for long-life roofing, copper flashing and coastal homes.
Format
Coil nails, collated with wire for pneumatic roofing guns, are what crews use. Hand-drive nails are sold loose by the pound for repairs.
Always check the shingle wrapper and your deck thickness, since those override any chart. See roof anatomy explained and roofing over existing shingles.