When it comes to roofing for your property, there are many factors to consider and choices to make. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to have your roofing hand-nailed or gun-nailed.
Technically, neither option is correct or incorrect. Both hand-nailing and gun-nailing are approved by roofing manufacturers. However, each roofer is usually particular about which method they employ to get the job done.
It may seem like a tiny detail, but the quality with which nails are placed and driven can have huge consequences not only for your roof but for your property as a whole. So, it’s a crucial consideration that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
The nail line on roofing shingles is small. So, there is little room for error. Nails not accurately driven in the proper area can diminish the quality of the roof and cause the manufacturer’s warranty to be void. In addition, nails that have been improperly driven create weaknesses in the integrity of the roof. This can make the roof more vulnerable to leaks and storm damage. Improperly placed nails can cause the shingles to be compromised in high wind conditions.
Driving nails with a nail gun can prove to be less than ideal. Gun-nailing has the potential to be less accurate. The condition of nails can be damaged by gun-nailing. The depth of the nails may not be flush when a nail gun is used. Gun-nailing can result in nails being over-driven (too deep into the roof) or under-driven (not flush with the shingle).
Inexperienced roofers and/or nail guns that are not kept up to proper specifications can produce poor roofing results. These factors can affect the accuracy, straightness and depth of nails.
A highly skilled roofer using a hammer can achieve consistency and quality. Unlike gun-nailing, hammering can avoid the inconsistencies from inexperienced roofers with shoddy nail guns. Using a hammer, contractors have the ability to actually feel if the nails they’re driving are catching the wood. This ensures the nails are properly placed and secured. The likelihood of crooked, damaged, over-driven and under-driven nails are diminished with hand-nailing.
Finally, since errors are less likely, the amount of time it takes to complete a roofing project can be cut considerably with hand-nailing. Fewer mistakes mean the faster your project is completed. That leaves more time for you to enjoy the comfort and protection of your new or repaired roof. It also means you won’t break the bank with unnecessary costs to fix things that should’ve been done right the first time.
Elliott Roofing is committed to delivering you a great roof by providing quality workmanship. We take pride in the craftsmanship of every roofing project. That is why we exclusively utilize hand-nailing for our roofing projects. We stand by this choice with our exclusive warranties, ensuring the conditions of our roofs are next to none.
If you have any questions about hand-nailing versus gun-nailing, other roofing methods or roofing options, give us a call today – we would love to answer any and all of your roofing questions.
