When it comes to repairing a roof, you want to make sure that you have the right tools for the job. If you’re repairing your own roof then hopefully this is a job you won’t be doing regularly, however, it can make the job a lot easier if you have a roofing nail gun. When a storm comes and you have some tiles to replace you will certainly be glad of having this powerful tool in your toolkit.
If you’re interested in purchasing a roofing nailer but don’t know where to start then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we will take you through everything you need to know about a roofing nail gun before you buy and take a look at some of the best roofing nail guns currently on the market.
What does a roofing nail gun do?
With so many different types of nail guns out there you might be wondering what makes a roofing nailer so different from other nail guns? Well, it is designed specifically to be able to drive nails through the materials which are frequently found on a roof. Roofing nailers can frequently drive nails through insulation board, different types of asphalt, and fiberglass so that they can help to either build or repair a broken roof. Using a hammer and nails can be both slow, unsafe and lack precision when repairing a roof which is why a roofing nail gun can really come in handy.
How does a roofing nailer work?
When you’re working on a roof the last thing you want is to have to come back down every 10 minutes so that you can refill your nailer with nails. This is why roofing nailers are usually fitted with a coil magazine. A roofing coil nail gun has a magazine that can hold a greater quantity of nails than usual meaning that it can last longer between refills than other nail guns. Plus, a coil roofing nailer is also easier to handle and move around the roof than the majority of nail guns as the coil magazine is not too bulky.
Roofing Nailer Buying Guide 2023
There are a lot of different roofing nailers available so knowing what the different features of a roofing nail gun are before you think about purchasing one is a good idea. In this buying guide, we will run through some of the variances in roofing nailers so that you can decide which type is best for you.
#1 Power Supply: Pneumatic or Cordless?
The first decision to make is whether you want a pneumatic roofing nailer or a cordless roofing nailer. A cordless roofing nail gun is powered by a rechargeable battery and a butane gas canister installed inside. With an electric roofing nailer, you have the benefit of flexibility as all you need to do is ensure the battery is charged beforehand and you can be free to work on your roof without the need for lots of cords in the way which can restrict movement. You can also purchase additional back up batteries to keep on the roof with you should your battery run out.
The downside of a cordless roofing nailer is that, while it can certainly drive in the nails, it is not as powerful as a pneumatic nailer. A pneumatic roofing nailer is powered by an external air compressor that can deliver consistent pressure over long periods so are a good choice if you’re going to be up on that roof all day. They also can deliver some serious power so they can drive nails through even tough roof materials. The downside of a pneumatic roofing nailer is that an air compressor can be a little cumbersome to carry around plus you will have a cord to maneuver also. This can make a pneumatic nail gun a little dangerous to use on a roof if not used carefully.
#2 Nail Type: Can Roofing Nail Guns accommodate all nail sizes?
When thinking about roofing nails for nail gun make sure you check what size nails the roofing nailer can accommodate. If you’re a professional, it is a good idea to go for a roofing nailer that can accommodate a large range of roofing nails so that you can use it whatever the job. A good nailer should be able to handle a range from 7/8” to 1.75”. It might be that a roofing nailer is not the right tool for the job and that you need to consider a roofing staple gun.
#3 Depth of Drive: How easy is it to adjust?
As roofs are made out of a variety of materials the roofing nail gun will need to be able to adjust the depth of drive with which the nail is inserted. To make repair work smooth and efficient it is helpful if your roofing nailer has an easy way to adjust this. Some tools will have a scrolling wheel with which you can adjust the depth of drive or offer a trigger mechanism for this purpose. It is best to go for a nail gun that has a tool-less adjustment function otherwise it can get a little time-consuming and fiddly.
What are some reputable brands of roofing nailers?
There are a range of great roofing nail guns out there such as home depot roofing nailer (why not purchase your roofing nail gun from home depot?), duo fast cordless roofing nailer, central pneumatic roofing nailer, paslode roofing nailer, max roofing nailer, senco roofing nailer, ridgid roofing nailer, banks roofing nailer, makita roofing nailer and pierce roofing nailer to name some of our favorites! There are also more well-known brands such as Hitachi, Bostitch, Dewalt that you can purchase online as well as Harbor Freight roofing nailers which can be purchased in store. Another great online store to purchase your roofing nail gun from is lowes, you can find lowes roofing nailer online plus a host of other great power tools on there.
Best Roofing Nail Gun: Reviews for 2023 [Updated]
Whether you’re interested in a roofing nail gun to fix your own roof or you need a new tool to use professionally check out some of the best roofing nail guns of 2020 in our reviews below.
#1 Best Coil Roofing Nailer: Porter-Cable Roofing Nailer RN175B
Porter-Cable roofing nailers are well-loved in the industry and this upgraded model is now 5% lighter than previous ones making it a welcome nailer to have when fixing a roof. With a cool magazine fitted this roofing nailer can hold 120 nails at a time and with two doors on the magazine, it is also easy to load. It is also possible to adjust the depth of drive easily on this nailer without the need for any additional tools to do so.
To ensure accuracy and consistency on your roof the Porter-Cable RN175B comes with a shingle guide that locks into place. You can also choose from two firing modes either single sequential or contact for whatever suits the job. Made out of steel and carbide you can also be confident that this hardy roofing nail gun is built to last.
2 Best Value Coil Roofing Nailer: The RN46 Bostitch Roofing
If you don’t have a huge budget but need to make some serious roofing repairs, then you’ll love this Bostitch roofing nailer. With a more than decent depth-adjustment range of 70-120 psi, this is also a versatile nail gun capable of dealing with a range of roofing materials. You don’t have to worry about tools to adjust this either making it easier to switch between settings whilst you are perched up on the roof.
Other pros of this roofing nailer are that: the magazine is side-loading making it easier to re-fill; it is lightweight making it easier to work with on longer jobs and reach into nooks and crannies more easily; it is fast as well as powerful and can fire up to 100 nails per minute if needed; its aluminum casing keeps weight down whilst offering durability, and; it comes with an incredible 7-year limited warranty. The downside of this nail gun is the limited magazine of just 120 nails.
#3 Best Pneumatic Roofing Nailer for Speed: The DW45RN Dewalt Roofing
If you are looking for a roofing nail gun that offers both exceptional power and incredible speed, then you should look no further than this excellent Dewalt roofing nailer. Designed to pump out at least 10 nails a second when needed, this nail gun is a superb choice for industrial-scale jobs. With in-built depth adjustment also offering a dynamic depth range of 70-120 psi you’ll be able to deal with any material a roofing job throws at you.
Other pluses about this roofing nail gun are that; it is built to last; it comes with a handy depth adjustment wheel making it easier to precisely drive nails into place; it has an ergonomic design and weighs just 4.5 pounds making it a good choice for long jobs or when working at challenging angles, and; it is easy to use. The downside of this unit is it can double fire nails easily, and it is electric-powered so has a cord you will need to avoid, although you won’t find a Dewalt cordless roofing nailer on the market.
#4 Best Pneumatic Roofing Nailer: Metabo Hitachi NV45AB2
While Metabo might not sound like a well-known brand you will think again when you hear that it is the new name for Hitachi Power Tools. This roofing nailer can handle 7/8 inch up to 1-3/4 inch coil nails meaning it is a great all-rounder if you’re looking for a roof nail gun to use professionally. It is powered pneumatically so can really deliver in terms of power, and with a tool-less depth of drive adjustment, nothing is stopping you getting the job done.
The side-loading coil magazine is both easy to load and, with a capacity of 120 nails, you won’t be needing to reload it too frequently. There are also some great design features on this nail gun which make it a pleasure to use including the long-lasting rubber grip and the fact that it is extremely lightweight (weighing just 5.5 pounds). Metabo also offers a 5 year warranty so that you can purchase this roofing nailer with confidence.
#5 Best Roofing Nailer: WEN Roofing Nailer 61783
An upgrade from the well-loved WEN 61782 coil roofing nailer, the WEN 61783 is an excellent roofing nailer whether you’re fixing your own roof or working professionally. Powered pneumatically this powerful roofing nail gun can provide 430-inch-pounds of force at around 100 PSI pressure so it is a great choice if you have some thick roofing material you need to drive your nails through. Plus, thanks to the depth-setting wheel you can easily adjust the depth of drive as you work with different materials.
Your comfort has also been considered with the WEN 61783, fitted with a rubber grip handle it is easy to hold and helps to reduce fatigue if you’re going to be using the nail gun for extended periods. What’s more, included with the nail gun you will also receive three hex wrenches, a carry case and a bottle of oil. With a one year warranty included this is a great roofing nailer to add to your tool collection.
Conclusion
Fixing a roof is not an easy job but a good quality roofing nailer can make it that much easier. Prioritizing quality will go a long way when selecting the right roofing nail gun as it will be required to drive nails through some pretty tough materials.
Think about whether you want a pneumatic or cordless nail gun before purchasing and also check out what sized nails the nailer can handle and whether or not it has an easily adjustable depth of drive. It is also important that the nail gun is comfortable to hold as it is likely that you will be holding it for long periods. Finally, make sure the roofing nailer comes with a warranty to give you some security as these tools don’t come cheap!