When you look at a beautiful cedar shingle roof, do you ever wonder what tiny, yet mighty, pieces hold it all together? The nails you choose for your cedar shingles are more important than you might think. A wrong nail can lead to ugly stains, loose shingles, and serious leaks, causing headaches and costly repairs down the road.
Choosing the right fastener seems simple, but there are many confusing terms—like stainless steel versus hot-dipped galvanized—and different nail sizes to consider. Picking the wrong type can cause your shingles to warp or the metal to bleed ugly streaks down your new roof. We know you want your cedar roof to look great and last for decades without trouble.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will clearly explain which nails offer the best performance, resist corrosion, and meet building codes for cedar. By the end of this post, you will know exactly what to ask for at the hardware store to ensure your beautiful cedar roof stays secure and stain-free for years to come. Let’s dive into the details of selecting the perfect nail for your shingles.
Top Nails For Cedar Shingles Recommendations
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Choosing the Right Nails for Your Cedar Shingles: A Buyer’s Guide
Cedar shingles make roofs look beautiful and last a long time. But the wrong nails can cause big problems. You need the right nails to keep your shingles secure through sun, rain, and wind. This guide helps you pick the best fasteners for your cedar roof project.
Key Features to Look For
When buying nails for cedar shingles, focus on these important features:
Corrosion Resistance
- Stainless Steel: This is the best choice. Stainless steel resists rust completely. Rusting nails stain the cedar wood and weaken their grip over time.
- Hot-Dipped Galvanized (HDG): This is a good, cheaper option. The zinc coating protects the steel, but the coating can wear off eventually, especially in harsh weather.
Shank Type
The shank is the body of the nail that goes into the wood.
- Annular Ring Shank: These nails have small rings around the shank. These rings grip the wood fibers tightly. They offer excellent holding power and resist wind uplift better than smooth nails. This is highly recommended for cedar.
- Smooth Shank: These are cheaper but offer less grip. They might pull out more easily over many years.
Head Style
The head sits on top of the shingle.
- Flat Head or Dome Head: These heads must be wide enough to hold the shingle down firmly without cracking the wood when you hammer them in. They should sit just flush with the shingle surface, not buried too deep.
Important Materials Matter
The material of the nail directly affects how long your roof lasts. Cedar wood is naturally acidic. This acid attacks common, cheap metals.
Material Quality
- Stainless Steel (Type 304 or 316): Choose these for maximum longevity. Type 316 is even better for coastal areas with salty air.
- Copper: Copper nails are excellent and naturally resist corrosion. However, they are very expensive and often harder to find.
- Avoid Bright (Plain) Steel: Never use these. They rust quickly, leave ugly black streaks on your nice cedar, and fail fast.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good installation relies on the right nail size and quality.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Proper Length: The nail must be long enough to penetrate the roof sheathing underneath the shingles by at least 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. This deep penetration provides the necessary grip.
- Nail Placement: Nailing should happen just above the butt line (the bottom edge) of the shingle above it. This hides the nail head under the overlapping shingle.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Under-Driving or Over-Driving: If you hammer the nail too shallow (under-driving), it can snag on snow or debris and pull out. If you hammer it too deep (over-driving), you crack the shingle, creating a leak path. Power tools need careful adjustment for this.
- Using the Wrong Metal: Mixing different metals on your roof can cause galvanic corrosion, which rapidly eats away at the weaker metal. Stick to one high-quality metal, usually stainless steel.
User Experience and Use Cases
Most users find that using ring-shank stainless steel nails makes their installation job easier and gives them peace of mind later.
Installation Experience
Roofers generally prefer pneumatic nail guns for speed. However, the gun must be set perfectly to avoid over-driving the nail head into the cedar. Hand-nailing gives better control but takes much longer.
Use Cases
- New Construction: Always use stainless steel or high-grade galvanized nails here. This ensures the roof lasts as long as the cedar itself.
- Repairs: When replacing a few shingles, try to match the existing nail material. If the old nails are rusted, use stainless steel replacements, but check that the new nail doesn’t split the surrounding wood.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cedar Shingle Nails
Q: What is the best material for cedar shingle nails?
A: Stainless steel is considered the best material because it resists rust completely and works well with cedar’s natural acids.
Q: Can I use standard galvanized nails?
A: You can use hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) nails, but they will not last as long as stainless steel. They might stain the wood over time.
Q: How long should the nails be?
A: The nail length depends on the thickness of your shingles and the roof decking. Generally, the nail needs to go 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch past the wood it is holding.
Q: What is an annular ring shank nail?
A: It is a nail with small rings around its body. These rings act like tiny barbs, giving the nail much stronger holding power in the wood.
Q: Where should I place the nails on the shingle?
A: Nails should be placed just above the butt line of the shingle layer directly above the one you are nailing. This keeps the nail head hidden.
Q: What happens if I hammer the nail too deep?
A: If you hammer the nail too deep, you crack the shingle around the head. This creates a direct path for water to leak into your house.
Q: Can I use aluminum nails?
A: Aluminum is generally too soft for the high holding power needed on a roof, especially in high winds. Stainless steel is much stronger.
Q: Do I need special nails for coastal areas?
A: Yes. In salty, coastal environments, use Type 316 stainless steel. It offers superior protection against salt corrosion compared to standard Type 304.
Q: Should I seal the nail heads after installation?
A: If you use the correct type of nail (stainless steel), you do not need to seal the heads. Proper placement means the heads are covered by the shingle above anyway.
Q: Are ring-shank nails more expensive?
A: Yes, ring-shank nails cost more than smooth nails, but the added holding power is worth the extra money for roof security.