Different roof slopes require different protection for asphalt shingles. Remember to follow appropriate safety practices when working from ladders or on roofs. This provides short-term protection and serves as a waterproof so that water or moisture does not move below the tiles or shingles. Repeat until the roof is covered. You cannot use screws for roofing shingles, only roofing nails are approved fasteners. The lower edge will need to be trimmed to the drip edge. If youre unsure how to install roofing felt or are just looking for some pointers, this guide is all you need. Roof felt is available in weights of 15 or 30-pounds per 100sqft. Aluminum nails are more prone to corrosion, as well as chemical and salt damage, than steel nails. Add 10% to the shingle estimate to account for waste. The most common shingle roofing nail size is 3/8 inch diameter with a 1-1/2 or 2-inch length. 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. Staple guns are much easier to handle or work with; this is an added advantage of staples. Whats The Difference Between Staple And Nails? Start at the lower edge of the roof, nailing the batten into place at the centre of the rafter. They install it by tacking one end, rolling it out, and centering it on the ridge. 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. The average 3-tab shingle needs four nails per shingle. Roll out the rest of the course, tacking along the center as you go. For roofs with slopes greater than 4/12, a minimum overlap of 2-inches between courses is required. Felt nails have a more secure grip on the paper backing of the roll. A 36x72 roll covers 216sqft, weighs about 32-pounds, and has printed lines at 2, 4 and 17 for easier placement of upper courses and shingles. These factors above determine if your nail or staple underlayment is good enough to hold your roof. The added depth that roofing nails provide makes them less likely to come loose over time. While it is common to find nails with a shank diameter of 13 inches, they cannot be smaller than 12 gauge (2.67mm) and still comply with the IBC. If you are not sure what size of nails to use for your project, you can always consult the building department in . And it has to be through and through, and the diamond tip will go past the wood. Since retiring he has written freelance stories and a weekly computer security column. In addition, the chances are that You can install staples incorrectly or inaccurately. The quality of the material used is also an important consideration. If you need to install new roof decking or OSB, youll need to nail it to the roof truss. So in terms of quantity, a roofing roll is about the size of one composite . Fortunately, galvanized roofing nails and steel nails pass the building code test. Estimating your roofing materials is key to your success, so youll want to know how many nails youll use in a square. In most jurisdictions, building codes require using nails for roof shingles. 2 1 Overlap the corner by enough to trim the edge of the end shingle properly. With 1000 per box, the 1/4 length is ideal for tacking roof underlayment. Roofing staples are a fastener to secure roofing felt or tar paper to the roof deck. On the other hand, Roof nails have a more substantial and extended holding strength. However, a roofing air nailer or air plasti-cap nailer are almost as quick. This is a fabric impregnated with asphalt to form a moisture barrier. The sun makes the felt brittle and more susceptible to tearing, and rain causes it to ripple. Even if it is imperceptible to you, water will find it. [4] 4. Typically 2 to 3 days will be required for this. This way, you can avoid making multiple trips to the store for more supplies. Nails can pop above the roof surface for a number of reasons. 1. An 8d nail, for example, cost 8 pennies for 100. Chalk lines should be snapped 33 5/8 above the eave line. 1 Use a sharp knife to trim that shingle to within about 18 in. A larger-size head might increase the risk of exposing part of the nail head in standard nailing locations on the shingle. Roofing felt is commonly used between roof deck sheathing and roof shingles. F1667 RSRS-03 (2 " 0.131") nails or ASTM F1667 RSRS-04 (3" 0.120") nails. No matter what fastening system you choose, follow the manufacturers instructions carefully to ensure a successful installation. ONLY USE 1 diameter plastic cap roofing nails. Most building codes regulate that at least a 12 gauge shank with a diameter of 3/8 head be used. Stainless steel nails are best used for slate and ceramic roofs or asphalt shingle roofs in coastal climates. 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 . Multiplied by 1.10 is 2112sqft. 45.25-in x 53.4-ft 200-sq ft Felt Roof Underlayment Model # XHWTP3224N-015 Find My Store for pricing and availability Installation & Services for You Look to Lowe's for a free consultation and professional installation. However, as roofing nails will usually be hidden by the shingles above them, steel nails dont detract from the look of the roof. While nails are mostly used with asphalt shingles, staples can be used with various roofing materials such as fiberglass mat, roll roofing, and thatch. Choosing the right roofing nails and driving them properly is essential for getting the best performance out of your roof. Ideally, the roof should be done when there is a forecast for several days without a lot of rain. The felt should be secured every six inches with nails or staples. The drip edge protects the edges of the roof deck and is often installed after the underlay is attached. The heavy-duty felt or paper is saturated or coated with bitumen. Head diameter: 0.55" - 0.79". Measure up the roof and snap chalk lines where the upper edge of each course will go. Roofing Felt that exceeds the scuffed area by 6" (152 mm) Installing roofing felt is the first step to shingling the roof deck and is an additional layer of protection for the roof. Not only is this roll affordable, it's also slip-resistant. The most common include galvanized roofing nails and aluminum roofing nails, but you can also find copper and stainless steel roofing nails. 3. It is available in rolls of 15 and 30-pounds per hundred square feet. The number of nails youll need for your roofing felt will depend on a few factors. Note the differences in the specification and length of the fasteners as well as the nail/staple patterns. This means they will last longer and not rust as easily as staples. On the flipside, if you rush through the initial steps, the felt installation can be compromised by sloppy oversights such as stray nails. Highly visible alignment lines. Synthetic underlayment comes in 10 square rolls, while regular #15 felt comes in 4 square rolls. All rights reserved. Lay it over metal flashing edges around vents and pipes. Felt nails have a higher holding power compared to staples. Using roofing nails and roofing staples are common methods. Call the team on 01752 692760 or use the . well overall size is 15x8 and from ground to pitch of the roof it should not be more than 10 feet.I am thinking front 15 feet wide wall will have a higher side of roof and back 15 feet wall . So if youre on a budget, staples may be the way to go. Thicker and stronger than other organic underlayments, #30 Asphalt Saturated Underlayment paper offers superior tear strength and more secure footing for roofers, especially in steep-roof applications. The reason they want you to use felt nails is to prevent blow offs if left exposed or high wind areas. Ideally, your roof will not have any exposed nails, with the exception of the last cap shingle (and those nails should be covered in roofing cement.) In normal wind zones the nails should be driven at 6.0 O.C. For low slope roofs mark every 17 and snap a chalk line from gable to gable. Prevent Ice Dams It is quicker to install and can withstand winds and extended exposure better than felt. Read More What Does A Roof Certification Cover? In terms of durability, felt nails are more durable than staples. The nails should provide a minimum of 40mm penetration into the rafter, so a nail length of 65mm is generally recommended. The size and complexity of the roof decking affect how long the task will take, but regardless of size, most felt installs are similar. 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. Though they vary greatly in material, size and type, all roofing nails share one helpful characteristic: a diamondshaped point. Use four roofing nails per shingle, as indicated on package instructions (six nails in high-wind areas). They are also less likely to leave behind unsightly marks on your top. So, choose these nails where performance, especially wind resistance, is a priority. Tack it in place at the corner, with the end flush with the end of the roof and the bottom edge of the roll right along the bottom of the roof deck, over the drip edge. Nail down squarely (90 degrees) into the deck to secure caps flush to the underlayment. For example, if you remove the nail and drive it back into the same spot, your aim wont be perfectly accurate. If you take off a shingle for repairs or take off the whole roof in preparation for a reroofing job, youll have a ton of roofing nails on hand. Tack the next course or layer into place. The best roofing nails for 7/16 sheathing are 3/8-inch to 7/16-inch diameter. Thus, you have to carefully plan the shingle and sheathing thickness and also the length of the nail. Use the nails with or without plastic caps. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the nail. (A Beginners Guide) DoneContinue, Roofing Felt Nails Or Staples? 4.6 out of 5 stars 94. Well explain how to install the roof felt and drip edge, and make some tool and material recommendations. Once you understand what it does, and you know which one you need, you are ready to lay the underlayment for your roof. Local codes may have different requirements, and shingle manufacturer warranties often specify underlayment requirements, so check them out too. There are three basic types of roofing nails: The shank of the nail is the part of the nail that punctures through the material you are nailing. Tack about every 4 on gable edges and 8 or so everywhere else. It is important to note that the nail and staple roofing felt have these outstanding qualities. The roof leg goes under the underlayment and should be nailed every 8 to 12 along the deck with 1 aluminum or galvanized roofing nails. While all tar paper comes in rolls, you do have some control of what size roll you will purchase. I will also need to overlap the felt, how much overlap should I use? Design depends on type of metal roof: exposed or hidden fasteners; board and batten (pan and ridge) panels; shake and shingle panels; panel or tile system; standing seam; etc. The layers of felt should be overlapped by 1 inch as you work toward the roof ridge. However, in recent years, like in the last two decades, staples have been banned as an option for roofing and shingles because of fear of an incorrect installation. This means that using a staple to nails is four staples to 1 nail. Roofing felt is made of natural or synthetic materials such as wood cellulose, recycled cloth, fiberglass, or polyester. Rolls of felt are typically 36 wide, and low slopes require 19 overlaps. Successive courses repeat the 19-inch overlap. Fasteners should be long enough to penetrate at least 3/4" (19 mm) into wood decks or just . Point: diamond or blunt. Rolled Roofing Basics. For the lower . Staples are faster and easier to use as an underlayment. To calculate the appropriate roofing nail length, add the thickness of the shingles and underlayment to the thickness of the sheathing. Roof slopes from two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (17-percent slope) and . Well walk you through the types, sizes and materials you may choose from when picking a roofing nail. In addition, roof staples are affordable, easy to work with, and can be used for diverse building projects. The roofing felt should be applied in layers that overlap. Measure the length from edge to edge and the eave to ridge, and multiply the values for the area of half the roof. Clout nails should be 15mm large head clout nails. First, its available capacity load, adjustable drive depth, and universal design make compatibility easy: the nails and the shingle. If you were considering using screws for their extra security, consider ring shank nails instead. Use a construction stapler or a hammer. This is because each nail needs to be driven individually into the roof. This is because a roofing nail has high holding power, unlike its counterpart. There are various roofing nails available in different materials. By the end of your read, you should know how to install felt underlayment for asphalt shingles. Tar paper is infused with tar, and roofing felt with a bituminous substance granted, a semantic difference as both are petroleum-based products. Nail metal drip-edge flashing, which bends over the roof and down the edge of the facing board, on all roof edges. This is because the nails are made of a stronger material that can withstand more wear and tear. Staples are also not as durable as nails and are more likely to come loose in high winds. The differences between the stable and nails are visible. This will help keep any moisture from getting under the felt. Roofing nails are the most common type of fastener used to attach asphalt shingles to the roof deck. Both felt nails and staples are great fastening systems for roofing projects. Roll out the first course, tacking it down as you go. And while they may seem pretty straightforward, there are various factors to consider when choosing the suitable roofing materials and methods for your project. However, felt nails edge out staples in terms of cost, hold, durability, and quality. The penny system is an old way of classifying nails. Make sure the nails are embedded securely into the felt and wood sheathing. Copper is strong and naturally resists rust and corrosion. (Must Read This). Most of the time, staples do not hold down the roofing felt paper or materials well enough in such areas. 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) 1. This goes a long way to bring to light how durable nail roofs are. Roofing nails should be 1-1/4 to 2 inches long to ensure that it sufficiently penetrates and embeds in the roof sheathing. For irregularly shaped roofs, break it down into smaller rectangles or triangles to calculate the areas. For steel, this means stainless steel or galvanized steel. Some suggest you fill this hole with roofing cement, but this repair option must be done carefully to maintain the roofs water-shedding performance. Dont tack the upper edge as it will be tacked down with the overlapping next course. This point is expertly designed to keep the decking intact when it punctures through. Back in the day all I used was staples and /or roofing nails now plastic tops . They are also available in both hand-drive and pneumatic versions. Metal Mesh in Drywall: All You Need To Know, Does Drywall Tape Need To Be Completely Covered? Place your nails in a plastic cap or one with nails. What size nails for OSB sheathing? However, this doesnt rule out staples entirely. Perhaps they were underdriven in the first place. Ultimately, it is best to refer to your building codes and roofing manufacturer for more specific guidance. They require high skills and concentration when used, and any mistake or inaccurate placement can cause severe damage to the entire roof. Fit felt around vent pipes or other protrusions by cutting it with a utility knife and fastening around the bottom of the vent. Staples are faster but lack the holding power of nails. What Type of Nails for Felt/Underlayment? Overlaps will typically be minimum 50mm and will depend upon the slope of the roof. You dont need to use cap nails or another special type of nail for this purpose. (A Beginners Guide) Done. Drip edges on the eaves, any valley liners and all flashing should be installed before the tar paper is laid. Rolls of felt are 36 wide x 144 long for 15# and 72 long for 30#. This is helpful when you have a large roofing project. Its working rate is prolonged but heavyweight, making work tiring. 5 Energy Efficient Roofing Materials To Use. It starts with installing solid decking, usually plywood or oriented strand board, but that is not waterproof. Many manufacturers offer 10-year guarantees for felt. Consult your local building department for specific nailing applications. Dont confuse these cap nails with gasket roofing nails. Staples are used with a variety of roofing materials. That depends on the exposure and coverage of your shingles. As a result, most local building authorities have banned staples for roofing. Finished Product We'd love to see how your project to replace roofing felt turned out! The variation in the lengths of the T50 staples entirely depends on the thickness of the felt and the density of the wood beneath it. The paper should then be nailed in or stapled every three to four inches across. The answer depends on the thickness of the plywood and the building code. Roofing felt products should not be glued to the decking in lieu of using nails or screws. Overlap the end of a roll about 4 inches with the start of a new roll and fasten both pieces to the decking. 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. A greater overlap provides more protection but may cause problems with spacing and fastening upper courses relative to sheathing seams. Rolled roofing is easy to obtain and can be found at all home improvement stores. Nail the felt in using 0.59 inch (15 mm) galvanized clout nails. Sometimes homeowners put in new nails when trying to attach something on the roof. The synthetic underlay has greater water-resistance and the no-slip coating offers better traction for installation safety. Also, you can use an aluminum or copper nail, depending on your location. Once the course of felt is tacked in place aligned to the chalk line, trimmed, and cut to length, go back and add more staples or nails to secure it in place approximately every 4 on gable edges and 8 apart elsewhere. NOTE: Not all products featured will be available in your area. The next step is to cap the ridge. Add more felt if required They are waterproof or water-resistant and provide additional protection and a barrier against moisture penetration. By Maria Goudiss. Nail shank diameter should be at least 11-12 gauge for roofs. Factors such as type of fastener, accurate installation, placement, holding strength, and local building authority codes all influence why people choose nail or staple fastener for their roofing felt underlayment. I hope you found the guide informative and have a better understanding of how to install roofing underlayment. Do not simply hammer the nail down, renail it in the same spot, or use the same shingle. One IKO test found that ring shank nails have 300% more strength than smooth shank nails. Lets pretend the roof design details are conventional and so the roof deck sheathing will be 5/8" to 3/4". A nail gun is the best way to install roofing felt nails. Roofing staples have a broad, flat head that helps to keep them in place and prevent them from pulling through the roofing material. Follow manufacturers instructions when choosing nails. Mold and mildew will result and you could wind up having to rip off the roof and install a new one. Taking the time to properly prepare the sheathing will make all the difference in how quickly and easily the felt paper is installed. If you are on a budget or are looking for a fastening system that is easier to install, staples may be the right choice. Surface treatment: polish, electro galvanized, hot dipped galvanized or vinyl coated. This makes them more likely to rust and break over time. The paper should then be nailed in or stapled every three to four inches across. If your building codes require thicker sheathing, youll need 1 -inch nails. However, aluminum nails are still used on asphalt shingle roofing by some roofers. They are called 8d common nails or 8-penny nails and can be round-headed, sharp-pointed 11-gauge galvanized steel or the equivalent corrosion-resistant roofing nails. You may prefer to use copper roofing nails on a roof with other copper accents. The M12 also has a functional belt clip which makes it easy to stow and free up your hands. Multiply the width by the height for the square footage of each section, then add the . Installing roof felt is a two-person job. This 400g pack of joist hanger nails from Wickes are designed to secure joist hangers in roofing, ceiling, flooring and decking work. Galvanization adds a layer of zinc onto the steel that significantly inhibits rust and corrosion. They are made from galvanized or stainless steel for durability and rust resistance. Other Materials The standard size for roofing felt paper is categorized into four. Screws leave small gaps in the material they are driven into, and this may be enough to allow for a leak. Like roofing nails, roofing staples are available in various sizes to accommodate different thicknesses of roofing felt. If there are hips, valleys, or dormers, increase the total by 10 to 25%. So for the 24 square roof example, you would need 2.4 rolls of synthetic underlayment, or 6 rolls of regular #15 felt. However, the process can be tedious, as you must constantly stop and reload the nail gun, adding more time to your roofing project. The International Building Code requires that roofing nails have a minimum 12-gauge shank and a 3/8-inch diameter head. Can Roofing Felt be Glued? When preparing to shingle or reshingle a roof, laying roofing felt offers an extra barrier against moisture. This step is vital to the success of your new roof and must not be shortchanged in any way.