Felt nails are usually made from galvanized steel, which is corrosion-resistant. It sheds precipitation while awaiting shingles, protects the shingles from resins and glues leaching from the decking, and acts as a second line of defense against moisture. Nails should have a minimum, nominal shank diameter of 11- or 12-gauge, and a minimum head diameter of three-eighths of an inch. Its not wise to attempt to reuse them, as they may cause problems on the new roof. The head diameter is typically a standard 3/8-inch for all roofing nails. Leave the top portion of the paper loose. Exposed nails are those with visible nail heads. In normal wind zones the nails should be driven at 6.0 O.C. Unroll the start of the first course, align with the edges and chalk line, and tack down the gable edge. Arrow 1/4-Inch T50 Monel Rust Proof Staples, Building Code [IRC2018 Table R905.1.1(2)] requires two layers of underlayment for low-slope roof decks between 2/12 and 4/12, Local Codes may require it for slopes greater than 4/12, Many home and roof warranties require felt paper, NRCA (National Roofing Contractor Association) recommends bitumen, asphalt, tar, or synthetic felt for asphalt shingles, The NRCA recommends water-resistant underlayment for roof slopes greater than 3/12, Roofing felt helps to prevent pitch, uneven or sharp edges, and nails from damaging shingles, Some shingle warranties are void if felt isnt used, Necessary to meet Class A fire rating with some shingles, Provides additional protection to the roof decking against moisture penetration, When removing old shingles, fully remove and replace the old felt with new felt, Made of tar, asphalt, or bitumen-saturated organic or fiberglass substrate felt paper, Commonly used for slopes greater than 3/12, Water-resistant and breathable, not waterproof sheds moisture, doesnt trap it, 15-pound is lighter and thinner, and easier to damage; it has a permeability rating of 5, 30-pound is thicker and stiffer, and more resistant to damage; provides greater protection, Must overlap 19-inches or more on a low slope, 2/12 to 4/12, to form a double layer on the whole roof deck, On slopes greater than 4/12 the courses of felt should overlap at least 2-inches, Commonly fastens with staples or in high wind areas with plastic capped nails or plastic wind-strips, Compounds leach out over time and with sustained exposure to heat it becomes more absorbent, Manufactured from polyethylene or polypropylene, plus fiberglass in an asphalt-saturated base layer, Equivalent to felt but withstands higher temperatures, Lighter and stronger than felt, wrinkle-free, and may have a non-skid coating that is slip-resistant even when wet, Resistant to moisture, mildew and fungal growth, and UV damage, Can be left weather-exposed for 6-months or more, Overlap depends on the slope and manufacturers instructions, Fastens to deck with roofing nails or plastic cap nails staples arent recommended, May void warranties for some asphalt shingles, Polyester or polyethylene layer bonded to a weather-resistant non-skid upper layer, May have a moisture-resistant polymer film and/or a mineral coating melded to the upper layer, Typically self-adhering with a peel-off membrane protecting the adhesive side, Rubber-like material will self-seal around nails and staples, making it waterproof, Very flexible for irregular surfaces and different temperature extremes, May be designed to resist high-temperatures up to 250F, May be fiberglass-reinforced or polymer-modified for strength and elasticity, May have a selvedge edge or sticky strip along the upper edge to form a stronger watertight seal with the overlapping upper course, Typically more expensive than other underlay treatments. The answer depends on the thickness of the plywood and the building code. Account for waste. Starting at the eave, a 19-inch (483 mm) strip of underlayment shall be applied parallel with the eave and fastened sufficiently in place. It is important to note that the nail and staple roofing felt have these outstanding qualities. There should be no wrinkles or other spots that could catch moisture and cause problems. NOTE: Not all products featured will be available in your area. Proper roofing practices call for a plywood roof deck at least one inch thick, 3/4-inch galvanized nails, and 3/8-inch head nails. However, on low-slope roof applications from 2:12 to 4:12, roofers may use . In this case, youll want to use roofing nails made of robust materials such as steel or aluminum. Place your nails in a plastic cap or one with nails. Since retiring he has written freelance stories and a weekly computer security column. The downside of roof nails is that they are bulkier and prone to multiple jams while working with them. However, due to manufacturing variances, the limitations of your monitor resolution and the variation in natural exterior lighting, actual colors may vary from the images you see. That is why they are used for additional water tightness in extensive wind areas to reduce the chances of wearing and tearing. The penny system is an old way of classifying nails. Installing roof felt is a two-person job. The length of each nail must be a minimum of 1 inches long, and for roof-overs, Atlas recommends a nail length of at least 2 inches. What Type of Nails Should be Used with Shingles? A range of roofing nails to cater for all of your applications, we have shed felt nails, cut clasps, clouts and annular ring nails. This will help keep any moisture from getting under the felt. Copper nails are most often used on roofs with copper flashing and accessories. The International Building Code requires that roofing nails have a minimum 12-gauge shank and a 3/8-inch diameter head. The differences between the stable and nails are visible. Roofing felt nails like cap nails are generally more expensive than staples. Be sure you to use the correct nail length and place it properly. The rise is the height from the edge of your roof to the peak, while the run is the distance from the eaves to the peak. It has a heavy-duty, anti-jam stapling mechanism and magazine that loads from the bottom of the handle. Repeat as necessary. Here is what a roof certification letter encompasses. You may find roofing nails identified by their penny length. If you need to install new roof decking or OSB, youll need to nail it to the roof truss. Staples can be used for tacking it down, but not recommended to hold. It helps protect the sheathing and the shingles and commonly has parallel lines printed on it that make shingle placement easier. It is versatile, strong, and affordable. Both felt nails and staples require minimal maintenance. The most common include galvanized roofing nails and aluminum roofing nails, but you can also find copper and stainless steel roofing nails. Paper can be fitted around vent pipes by cutting a slit and then putting it over the pipe. Fixing the nails is simply a matter of removing them, removing the shingle and installing a new shingle. Holding power is essential, especially if you live in areas with high winds. High wind areas and other types of shingles may need more. On the rakes or gable ends, the drip edge goes on top of the felt, helping to seal the end and prevent moisture penetration under the shingles. You may be tempted to reuse these to save on costs. Roofing felt nails or staples in time past was quite challenging to distinguish which of the two roofing options is better clearly. Chalk lines should be snapped 33 5/8 above the eave line. 3. Roof Felt Underlayment to Protect Your Home From the Elements Smooth application of the roofing paper will help you achieve a smooth installation of the shingles. While nails are mostly used with asphalt shingles, staples can be used with various roofing materials such as fiberglass mat, roll roofing, and thatch. When preparing to shingle or reshingle a roof, laying roofing felt offers an extra barrier against moisture. Ask your dealer for the correct amount of nails for your size roof, in the length you specify. If youre installing by the High Wind Application, youll use two more nails a shingle, so 360 nails per square. This step is vital to the success of your new roof and must not be shortchanged in any way. However, this is a detriment to the roofs performance. Staples also provide great finishing outlooks on your roofing or other building projects. Roof nails go deep into the roofing shingles and the roof decking, providing a firmer grip and preventing the asphalt from sliding around. Nail every 8 to 12 and approximately 1-1/2 in from the outer edge. HousingHow Roofing Roofing Felt Nails Or Staples? 2. A 2d nail is 1 inch long, for example, while a 16d nail is 3 1/2 inches long. Divide by 432 or 216 depending on the weight of felt for 4.89 rolls of #15 or 9.78 rolls of #30 felt. Fasten drip edge on eaves with galvanized nails and a hammer, about 12 inches apart, before laying roof felt. However, aluminum nails are still used on asphalt shingle roofing by some roofers. The sun makes the felt brittle and more susceptible to tearing, and rain causes it to ripple. Roof nails are available in 12-, 11- and 10-gauge. Once this course is laid, you can begin snapping horizontal chalk lines up the roof to ensure straight rows. After unrolling the first 5 to 10 or so, tack the gable edge and centerline of the paper once its aligned with the chalk line. In addition, the chances are that You can install staples incorrectly or inaccurately. ONLY USE 1 diameter plastic cap roofing nails. Whatever the cause, its important to fix any nail pops in a roof to prevent damage. Roof slopes from two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (17-percent slope) and . So, choose these nails where performance, especially wind resistance, is a priority. Some roofers recommend laying a strip of adhesive rubberized membrane over the drip edge at the eave as an added protection. In fact, in some coast regions, the building codes require the entire nail to be corrosion-resistant, not just the outer surface. Staples are typically made from aluminum or other metals that are not as durable. They can also be overdriven or even underdriven. As a result, most local building authorities have banned staples for roofing. -A 3/12 roof measuring 20x48 per half is 960 for a total area of 1920sqft. Many factors have influenced the shift from using felt nails in modern times. 320 nails will be needed to install a square of standard 3-tab shingles, assuming four nails per shingle and 80 shingles per square. Whats The Difference Between Staple And Nails? They have a square-shaped head, instead of the more typical circular head you see on other nails. If you were considering using screws for their extra security, consider ring shank nails instead. 1. Roofing nail lengths are available in one to two inches. Roofing nails are a type of nail that is made specifically for use in the installation of the different parts of the roof, like the roofing felt, the shingles, sheet metal, flashing, or roof tiles. The Hillman Group 42041 Galvanized Roofing Nails, 1-Inch, 100-Pack. Roofing nails that are 11- or 10-gauge are also allowed by most building codes as they are thicker and sturdier. I will also need to overlap the felt, how much overlap should I use? The numbers refer to the actual weight of the felt. Cap Nails Popular Filters Length Measurement: 1-in Length Measurement: 1-3/4-in Length Measurement: 1-1/2-in Length Measurement: 7/8-in Grip-Rite Length Measurement: 3/4-in Sort & Filter Sort & Filter Sort By Featured Best Sellers Highest Rated New Arrivals Special Offers Bulk Savings (4) Length Measurement 3/8-in (2) 3/4-in (1) 7/8-in (1) 1-in (5) However, felt nails edge out staples in terms of cost, hold, durability, and quality. In terms of durability, felt nails are more durable than staples. Before securing the end of a row, take time to walk the row, smoothing out any rough spots and matching up the snapped chalk lines. On the flipside, if you rush through the initial steps, the felt installation can be compromised by sloppy oversights such as stray nails. However, the size differs depending on the application and the local building codes. $3.19 $ 3. Some materials require heavier felt paper. Type 304 Stainless Steel Nails - These are the middle of the road and also only recommended for indoor use, as they are rust-resistant but not rust-proof. The paper should then be nailed in or stapled every three to four inches across. As a result, they are less susceptible to jamming and easily reload. The cost of your roofing nails will depend on a few factors, including material, type and length. As a result, roof nails can last for over 50 years, and most last for more extended periods provided the building is still standing. Do the other side of the roof the same way, also with an overlap at the peak. This is How Far Apart Should Newel Posts Be! In addition, the manufacturer's instructions should indicate which side of the roofing felt goes down if that matters for the specific product. In high-wind areas, more fasteners may be required. For more tips on roof installation and tools, read our article about choosing between a nail gun and a roofing hammer. The first course commonly extends past the lower edge of the sheathing by 1/2 or to cover the drip edge. Many metal roofing dealers specify minimum of 7/16" sheathing. They are easy to install and are unique in their work and functions. For larger projects, youll need to use bigger nails so that they can better support the weight of the roofing felt. A larger-size head might increase the risk of exposing part of the nail head in standard nailing locations on the shingle. After this, lines should be snapped every 34 as you move up the roof. Even though nails also hold roofing materials in place, staples are often preferred because they have a solid visible grip. So, with rounding, youll need 10 rolls of 15 pound felt or 20 rolls of 30-pound felt. The paper should then be nailed in or stapled every three to four inches across. Any stray roof tacks, pieces of old felt, or general debris should be cleared off. The next step is to cap the ridge. Installing roofing felt is easy to install and is the first step to protecting your roof decking and home. Be sure the tar paper lies in flat strips that are absolutely smooth. This should be laid before the first felt is applied. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may need to replace your staples more often. Penetration. This is essential in windy conditions or in areas that experience severe weather conditions. Nail shank diameter should be at least 11-12 gauge for roofs. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the nail. Starting at the eave, 36-inch-wide (914 mm) strips of underlayment felt shall be applied overlapping successive sheets 19 inches (483 mm) and fastened sufficiently in place. The roof decking should be completely clean and dry. Typically 2 to 3 days will be required for this. The roofing nails outweigh the roofing staples durability, holding power, installation, extended use, and compliance with local building authority codes. Roofing felt is a type of underlayment that professionals install beneath a roofs shingles. Measure the width and height of each section separately. A nail gun can be used to quickly install some nails to the roofing paper wont slide around. This is because staples are more likely to rust and break over time. Similarly, 19/32 OSB roof sheathing would be 8d common, box or casing nails at 6 on center at the panel edges and 12 on center in the field OR 2 16 gage staples at 4 on center at the panel edges and 8 on center in the field. The last part of the extended eaves edge flashing is folded back over the rake edge and nailed into place, thus sealing the exposed corner of the drip edge. To calculate the appropriate roofing nail length, add the thickness of the shingles and underlayment to the thickness of the sheathing. Roofing felt is commonly used between roof deck sheathing and roof shingles. FREE delivery Tue, Feb 21 on $25 of items . Thus, you have to carefully plan the shingle and sheathing thickness and also the length of the nail. Sheradised Square Twist Nails are invalueable when working with timber construction. Most of the time, staples do not hold down the roofing felt paper or materials well enough in such areas. Start at one of the upper corners of the felt and continue along the perimeter. Overlaps will typically be minimum 50mm and will depend upon the slope of the roof. An 8d nail, for example, cost 8 pennies for 100. For example, you will need a roofing air nailer for felt nails and a roofing staple gun for staples. If there are hips, valleys, or dormers, increase the total by 10 to 25%. Drip edge flashing has three distinct parts and typically comes in 10 lengths. Roof felt is often called tar paper and is commonly used in similar ways, however, they are different. A ring shank nail is also called an annular roofing nail or corrugated roofing nail. Is it necessary to use adhesive? The most common size is 3/8 inch diameter with a 1-1/2 or 2-inch length. Jewelry Box Felt Liner, A4 Size (8.3" x 11.8", Black) 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,348. Read More What Does A Roof Certification Cover? Aside from the lightweight of the roof staples, it is highly inexpensive and cost-effective, which is one of the reasons why most individuals or companies prefer to use them. Thats a bad idea. The use of nails for roofing in an area may differ from another, but they are primarily similar; therefore, it is difficult to go against building codes when using roofing nails. Although roofing staples are designed to be strong, they are not as strong as nails. They cost less per square foot to install than nails, making them a good choice for those working with limited funds. Can Roofing Felt be Glued? Lay it over metal flashing edges around vents and pipes. It effortlessly discharges up to 1500 staples per single 1.5Ah battery charge and has a power adjustment for different materials. Unroll the first course beginning at one gable edge and rolling to the opposite edge. Bitumen is a waterproof mixture of coal-tar pitch or asphalt and other viscous and sticky organic liquids. A greater overlap provides more protection but may cause problems with spacing and fastening upper courses relative to sheathing seams. The longer it is left uncovered, the more it will weather and fade. of the face of the lower-course shingle on the other side of the corner. Different roof slopes require different protection for asphalt shingles. Install the drip edge to the eaves (the lower edge of the roof) prior to rolling out the felt, or slide it under the felt underlay and over the fascia. Today, the penny system refers specifically to nail length. These have large plastic caps for heads, which help prevent water intrusion. Its general knowledge that nail roofing felt, and staples are almost the same and give desired results: securing or holding the roofing felt. Felt is typically 3 feet wide, so that means a roll is approximately 144 feet long. Please refer to our Legal Notices for U.S.A. or our Legal Notices for Canada. Nail shank diameter should be at least 11-12 gauge for roofs. They arent connected, as they are with screws. . 316 nails have elements of nickel, polymer and chromium . They also go against most building code error codes and local building authority standards. Well explain how to install the roof felt and drip edge, and make some tool and material recommendations. Construction stapler or plastic washer nails. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. Tack the gable edge and tack the bottom edge and mid-line as you unroll. Square cap nails may have a smooth or coiled shank. . Align this layer with the bottom of the roof; snap a chalk line the length of the roof, spaced to the width of the felt roll, to aid in keeping layers straight. Staples are faster but lack the holding power of nails. Overlap the end of a roll about 4 inches with the start of a new roll and fasten both pieces to the decking. FREE delivery Tue, Feb 21 on $25 of items shipped by . Head: flat round. A staple gun is convenient because it is less bulky and can shoot a lot of staples in a short period. It must be covered with waterproofing membrane, usually "roof felt," also called tar paper. Synthetic or non-bitumen underlay has become a popular choice with roofers over the past decade. Materials used to make the natural and synthetic underlayment include; wood cellulose, polyester, and fiberglass. Check the requirements for the roofing material that will go over the felt. Divide the total footage by 100 to determine the number of "squares" in the roof. The nails should provide a minimum of 40mm penetration into the rafter, so a nail length of 65mm is generally recommended. Installing roofing felt is the first step to shingling the roof deck and is an additional layer of protection for the roof. The felt should be trimmed flush with the edge or 1/2 past to wrap the edge when the drip edge is placed. You can adjust the firing depth of nails with an easy depth-setting wheel on the head of the tool, and clear jammed nails with the quick-release compartment aside the . To calculate the appropriate roofing nail length, add the thickness of the shingles and underlayment to the thickness of the sheathing. What Size Staples Required for 30lb Felt? What size nails for OSB sheathing? You may want to wear work gloves to avoid injuring your hand or developing blisters. In most jurisdictions, building codes require using nails for roof shingles. (on center) on both head and end laps. The manufacturing process of felt nails is more complex than staples. They are waterproof or water-resistant and provide additional protection and a barrier against moisture penetration. Directly answering if you can use staples for roofing felt depends on your local building authority and fire codes.