The Big Debate: Hand Nail or Nail Gun – Which is Best for Roofing?

The manufacturers of roofing materials claim that either way is good when installing a new roof. They have performed thorough testing which validated that either method works with their roofing materials. Where the debate comes into play, is when you ask roofing contractors. You will get different opinions because some are pro hand gun and others are pro nail gun.

For hundreds of years, when shake roofs were first produced, hand nailing was the primary method. Then in the 1950s, nail guns came on to the scene, and for the next few decades, roofing contractors around the country adopted the tool. Now, more than 60 years later, many roofing contractors have gone back to hand nailing.

So Why the Debate?

For an asphalt shingle to be installed properly, the roofer needs to drive the nails into the shingle that is perpendicular to the roof pitch, making sure the nail head is flush to the roof decking. For proper installation, the nail should be down a certain depth but not break through the shingle’s top layers and yet, set solidly into the wood decking.

Hand Nailing

The experienced roofing contractor can set the nails with hand nailing the right angle, in the right spots, to the right depth. They will know if the nail hit the wood decking. The more skilled a roofer is, the quicker they get at this process. However, it is more labor intensive and takes longer.

Nail Gun

The problems of using a nail gun installation are higher, starting with the fact that the roofer isn’t able to feel the nail hitting the wood decking. If the nail gun is held at the wrong angle, the nails are driven in at odd angles and may break the shingle’s top layers. The nail gun compressor has to be set at careful adjustments to ensure the nail is inserted completely and flush to the surface.

Depending on the type of wood, roofing material, and the weather, roofers often have to change those adjustments. When an inexperienced roofer is using a nail gun, or an experienced roofer is hurried, the shingles may be installed incorrectly. Using a nail gun does make the job quicker, which reduces labor costs.