Hand Nailing Vs Nail Gun Roofing

Some roofers think that using a nail gun delivers the same level of precision as hand nailing.

Hand nailing vs nail gun roofing. Hand nail installers are quick to feel a nail miss the wood sheathing while nail gun operators have to rely on sounds and intuition. Taking into consideration the same size nail is used. Hand nailing can be fast but the same man at the same skill level doing the same job will perform faster using a gun and compressor. I have also torn off both hand nailed roofs and gun nailed roofs.

If this is the case hand nailing should be preferred over the use of a nail gun. We hand hammer every nail that goes into your roof. Assuming it is nailed properly by the code then it should last the same time as being hand nailed. Hand nailed roofs most nails come out during tear off.

As shingles come with code specifying that how many nails per shingle should be used. There just are not many shinglers that have the skill level to keep up with a man with a gun. I don t believe that hand nailing vs. When you use a gun usually a third or under driven a third or over driven and a third or correct.

As far as it taking longer. The key difference between the two is accuracy. Nails not places correctly will cause roof failures and this is very common with nail guns. However most manufactures claim that either method is a viable option.

Most times the roofs that have been put on with a nailer all nails stay in the wood when tearing off. Since hand nailing takes a bit more time they have the chance to correct any mistakes on the spot. On the other hand labor costs will be higher. A hand nailed roof is hands down a better roof than using a nail gun.

While air gun nailing might seem faster a well trained hand nailer can do it almost as fast. Conversely the head of the nail for a nail gun is smaller in order to fit more nails into the coil that is reloaded repeatedly into the nail guns. A hand nailed roof trump s a gun nailed roof any day. Click here to view my recommended gear page to see which roofing hammer and tools i believe are the best.

A good contractor will inspect the roof sheathing after it is removed to determine if nail misses are likely to occur. I have roofing crews that can hand nail just as fast as a gun. Ensuring that the nails are properly placed each and every time because the head of the hammer stops flush on top of the shingles. The head of the hand nail is bigger thus you get a stronger roof against wind force.