There is no exact standard for how long a roofing nail should penetrate, but you should allow a minimum of 19 mm to penetrate the sheathing or roofing material. For example, nails that penetrate one inch into a 3/8″ layer of sheathing may not penetrate the roofing material completely, and those that penetrate two inches into OSB may be too short. Regardless of the situation, nails that penetrate three inches into a shingle will not break the sheathing. metal roofing panels
The proper distance for roofing nails is one-quarter inch through the plywood or OSB roof sheathing. However, nails longer than that will not penetrate into the attic. Roofing nails that protrude more than one-fourth inch through sheathing should be used. You can cover exposed nails by using Shingle Stick. In a situation where you cannot nail the roofing nails through the plywood or OSB roof sheathing, you can use ring-shank nails.
The thickness of the decking also determines the length of the nails. While the thickness of shingles is generally similar, the thickness of the decking can vary. Some decking is just under an inch thick, while others are about a half-inch thick. The recommended length for roofing nails is 19 mm. They should penetrate at least 3/4 of an inch through the decking. If the nails are too short, they may damage the structure of the roof.
If the nail is a half-inch deep, it will likely work its way back out. However, nails drilled one-quarter inch deep will likely miss the sheathing. Furthermore, nails drilled too deep can cause the shingles to shift upwards and make the roof leak. Therefore, if you are nailing a half-inch thick roof, you should use a one-inch-deep nail. A one-inch-deep nail is also too long. A two-inch nail will likely push the shingle tabs up.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the weight of the roof. Roofing nails will weigh a few pounds. If you use a pneumatic gun to nail a roof, use a smaller one. A ten-inch-long nail should not be more than four inches deep. The nail must be placed at least five inches below the shingles’ surface. Using a lighter-weight nail will prevent it from doing this.
Choosing the correct nail length is important in securing a roof and keeping it intact. Generally, roofing nails should penetrate at least one-quarter-inch beneath the roof sheathing, extending one-eighth-inch beyond the lower edge of the roof deck. In addition to nail length, you should also consider the number of layers of shingles, the shingle thickness, underlayment, flashing, and other elements of the roof to determine the proper nail length.
Remember, nail lengths can vary by building code. When estimating the right length, check building codes and manufacturer instructions. If nails are too short, the roofing material may be exposed to moisture and damage. In some cases, nails must penetrate more than the recommended length. If you need to use a pneumatic nailer, it’s important to use the right sizing settings. Improperly adjusted pneumatic nailers can create raised tabs, buckling, and sealing failure.
