What are roofing nails?
Roofing nails are wide-head fasteners designed to secure shingles, felt/underlayment, roof tiles, flashings, and trims to wood sheathing or decking. Their large heads provide holding power and help resist tear-through in wind and weather. Roofing nails are available as loose nails or collated in coils for pneumatic tools.
Types of roofing nails
- Ring-shank roofing nails — annular ribs on the shank increase withdrawal resistance in wood.
- Smooth-shank roofing nails — drive easily for high-speed installation with nailers or hammers.
- Screw-shank roofing nails — twisted profile designed to enhance bite in dense sheathing.
- Coil roofing nails — collated, typically 15° wire-coil, for pneumatic roofing nailers and rapid production work.
- Loose roofing nails — bulk nails for manual installation or specialty details.
Materials & finishes for roofing nails
- Electro-galvanized or hot-dip galvanized steel — corrosion-resistant coatings for general roofing use.
- Stainless steel (304 / 18-8) — reliable corrosion resistance for most environments and long-life roofs.
- Stainless steel (316) — added resistance for coastal or chloride-rich locations.
- Copper roofing nails — decorative and corrosion-resistant for copper flashings, slate, and specialty roofs.
What size roofing nails do I need?
Select a length that penetrates the wood deck according to the shingle or underlayment manufacturer’s instructions (commonly past the deck by a modest amount). Match shank type to the substrate (ring-shank for higher pull-out resistance) and confirm the head diameter required by your roofing product. For coil nails, verify wire-collation angle and nailer compatibility.
Common applications for roofing nails
- Asphalt shingles, wood shakes/shingles, and synthetic shingles
- Roof felts, synthetic underlayments, and ice-barrier membranes (where nailing is permitted)
- Copper and stainless flashings, drip edge, and trim
- Slate and tile (with product-specific nails such as copper or stainless)
Why choose roofing nails from us
- Correct pairings — stainless and copper options for dissimilar-metal compatibility with premium flashings.
- Production ready — collated coil roofing nails for high-speed pneumatic tools.
- Durable finishes — galvanized and stainless selections for long service life.
- Style variety — ring-shank, smooth-shank, and specialty shanks for different holding needs.
Installation tips for roofing nails
- Follow the roofing manufacturer’s nailing pattern, spacing, and placement (e.g., above the shingle’s seal line where specified).
- Set nails flush with the surface — not under-driven (proud) and not over-driven (cutting the mat or flashing).
- Use ring-shank or stainless/copper where higher retention or corrosion resistance is required.
- For collated nails, match coil angle, head size, and length to your nailer and the roof system requirements.