I am planning to install a new roof next year. Would someone give me the
formula for selecting the correct length of roofing nail. I noticed while walking
through the local HD and Lowes that they stocked a lot of 1 1/4″ pneumatic
nails and only a few other lengths. What’s the reason? I am going to do a
tear off on a 1990 built house with 5/8″ CDX plywood decking & replace with
dimensional type shingles. Any advice on purchasing the best shingles would
also be appreciated. Let me thank you in advance for replies. …….Kentucky
Replies
if you're tearing off and putting up asphalt, 1 1/4 is sufficient. Longer lengths if you're not tearing off, you have to punch through asphalt to get to the decking. Also look in the "need a roof" thread, running now for more tips. Buying advice? Shingles should last a long time. Saving a buck doesn't seem prudent when the investment protects something as valuable as the house. Get a thick shingle with a good warranty. The Tamko Heritage I referenced in the other thread are very good quality if you're looking for a laminated shingle.
The roofing nail should go through the wood sheathing. The reason for this is that the resistance to tearout (wind uplift) is related to amount of wood that is displaced by the shank of the nail. A roofing nail then, for instance, will hold against the wind better tah a smooth thin sheet rock nail because the roofing nail is thicker. A roofing nail that passes all the way through the sheathing also holds better than one that only penetrates 2/3 of the way. In some palces codes are specific about this.
In Florida, working on 1/2" sheathing with regular 240# comp shingles, 7/8" was adequate. Move north to 5/8" sheathing or roof over the old shingles and you need 1" or 1-1/4". The additional thickness of Architectural shingles calls for 1-1/4" long. In colder weather, if you are hand nailing, 1-1/4" is easier to finger out than a shorter or longer nail. For the ridge, you'll need a couple pounds of 2" nails but if you used them for the field, they would do no extra good for you, but the flies in the attic will have something extra to look at.
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