Constructing a roof is no easy task and there’s plenty to do and organize before you can get started. An important part of roof building that you cannot overlook is your choice of nails and bolts. Roofing nails come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve different functions for roof construction. These key pieces will hold your future roof together, so it’s important to get it right! To help you out, here’s a guide on everything you need to know about roofing nails and bolts to make sure you do a great job!
Do your research
Whether you’re familiar with roof construction or not, you need to do some research before embarking on your project. Do your research, talk to someone more experienced, and get some pointers. Those at Monster Bolts can help you tell the difference between a metric flathead screw and a Tek screw to know what to use for your roof. Different materials require a different fit and kind of screw, so it’s important to get that sorted before you go to the store.
Think about purpose
Different work tools and materials are designed with a specific purpose in mind. When constructing a roof, you’ll need different nails depending on what you want to put together or hold down. Smooth Shank nails are great for places where grip force is unnecessary and are great for temporary usage. A Ring Shank nail provides more grip because of the rings around the shaft and is great for more permanent or outside fixtures. Finally, Square Cap nails come in both smooth and ring varieties. They are perfect for nailing down felt underlayment because of their large, flat heads.
Think about climate
Depending on your local climate throughout the year, you may need to use nails and bolts that are more durable. If the area you live in has mild temperatures and weather conditions, using stainless steel materials is your best bet. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and is strong and sturdy. If you live in an area prone to rain or dampness, copper would be the better option since it’s more resistant to wet or salty conditions. Aluminum is your third option and is mostly used for wooden roofs that may react badly to the Zinc coating on copper or stainless steel nails.
Think about price
Last but not least, when constructing a roof, you need to think about the price of all of your materials and equipment, including your nails. Constructing a roof is a huge undertaking, and you need to create a fixed budget early on. If you’re looking for more affordable roofing nails, go for the most commonly available and cheap Smooth Shank type. Keep in mind that although this nail is affordable, it doesn’t have the best grip when compared to other nail types.
So there you have it! With this guide in mind, you’re ready to get the exact nails and bolts you need for your roofing job. To figure out what you’ll need, you first need to do your research and learn about the craft. When choosing the right nail and bolt for the job, think about purpose, climate, and price, and you can’t go wrong!