Understanding Nail Length for Shingle Roofing

When it comes time to replace the roof on your home, there are many choices to make. While there are certainly aesthetic and cost factors involved in your selection of roofing materials in Marietta, the primary reason you have a roof is to put a protective shell over your property that can withstand the torture that nature will hurl at it.

Therefore, while it’s important that your roofing material choices fall within your budget and have an appearance that adds to the beauty of your residence, the most important consideration is durability and roof strength. The primary method of controlling your roof strength regardless of roofing material type is proper roofing nail selection. That doesn’t just include the style of nail, but also the length. You must select the proper length of nails for roofing in Marietta if you’re going to have a roof that can withstand the elements and provide years of dependable service. The length of nail necessary to properly construct your roof depends on the type of shingle used and what’s underneath it. Read on for some points you should understand when selecting proper roofing nail length.

Many Choices

Roofing nails come in a variety of lengths to meet a variety of needs in the roofing industry. About 70% of roofs in the United States are made from asphalt shingles, and most roofing nail guidelines use the asphalt shingle as the standard. For attaching asphalt shingles to standard decking, nails can range in length from 1 inch to 2 inches. But some applications may require longer nails up to 6 inches long. Those longer nails aren’t likely to be needed for residential roofing, and, as a result, are difficult to find in local roofing supply stores. Bear in mind that, as the length of the roofing nail increases, so does its gauge.

Type of Shingle Matters

One of the first factors to consider is the type of shingle you will be using. The two primary types of shingles in use today are the 3-tab asphalt shingle and the dimensional shingle. You’ll usually need to use a longer nail when using dimensional shingles since they consist of two layers of shingle material bonded together. In other words, a dimensional shingle is double the thickness of a regular shingle, and you must choose your nail length accordingly.

Decking Thickness

While asphalt shingles from various manufacturers are of similar thickness, the decking or sheathing below the asphalt shingles can vary by builder or homeowner preference. Therefore, two homes may have the same shingles but require a different length of nails because of what is beneath them. The thickest decking typically used in modern roofing is just under an inch in thickness, though most decking is 3/4-inch thick. Your nails must penetrate the decking, so if your decking is thicker, you’ll need longer nails.

Other Layers Add Thickness

In between the decking and the shingles is another roofing layer that must be factored into your nail length selection. If your roof has been stripped of old shingles and the new shingles will be applied over a single layer of felt paper over inch-thick decking, then you’ll need to use nails that are 1 ½ inches in length. If your decking is ¾-inch or less, you can use 1 ¼-inch nails. If, however, you plan to install your new shingles over a layer of old shingles, your nail length must increase accordingly.

If you’re planning your next roofing project, make sure that you include proper nail length as a key consideration when selecting your roofing products in Marietta. By selecting the right nails, you can get a roof that will stand the test of time and protect your most valuable possession. To learn more about choosing the proper nail for your roofing job, visit Preferred Roofing.