It helps for quick and effective installation of shingles, ridge and hip replacement, and vent and skylight installation. This nail gun can hold up to 120 nails and is pneumatic-powered, so it can easily shoot nails through the roofing material. It shortens your time and effort to complete the roofing project. Here is a quick outlook of the key factors to consider beforehand while investing in a roofing nailer.
Nail Length –
Always choose the right sized nails, yet not too long or too short nails. Nails that are too long will stick into the attic and thereby causes a hazard to people moving around in the attic space. While too short nails don’t hold the house roofing properly. The range of roofing nailers to handle nail length will be 3/4-inches to 1 ¾-inches nail.
Nail Capacity –
A magazine in the roofing nailer can easily hold a lot of nails, ranging from 60 – 120. Choosing a larger capacity will let you work conveniently without reloading the nails again and again but add some weight to the tool.
Weight –
The ease of using a roofing nailer is determined by its weight, which in turn impacts safety, accuracy, and user endurance. Since these nailers are made of metal, they weigh from 4 ½ – 5 ½ pounds. Choose a manageable nail gun for precise nail placement without much arm strain. We are here with some Best Roofing Nailers enlisted after doing thorough research on several products. Also, to help you in deciding the right option, we came up with a detailed “Buying Guide”. Read on to ease your selection process and to pick your best option.
Top Roofing Nailers 2023 List
Best Roofing Nailers Reviews
1. Metabo HPT Roofing Nailer
Metabo HPT or Metabo Hitachi Power Tools is one of the oldest and a highly popular brand of power tools out there. It offers all kinds of industrial as well as consumer-grade models, including multiple roofing nailers. The Metabo HPT NV45AB2 roofing nailer is present in the 1st position in this article as it is a highly powerful, yet a highly reliable option out there. Just per its name, it is a pneumatic roofing nailer that uses an air compressor for functioning. You need to use an air compressor set to 70 PSI to 120 PSI to use it without any performance issues. It comes with a 16 degree angled nail magazine that offers a very decent capacity of 120 nails. A great thing about this Metabo roofing nailer is that it offers a great build quality to the user. Even then, it weighs just 5.5 pounds that is easily manageable by most users out there. It is also highly reliable since it offers a 5-year long warranty that is much better than other options out there that come with a 1-year long warranty. As a result, you can keep using this nailer to drive ⅞ inch to 1 ¾ inch nails for a long time without running into any issues. Best Features:
⅞ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure 5-year long warranty Weighs 5.5 pounds Carbide tipped push lever Rubber grip for extra comfort and ergonomics Sideloading magazine for ease of use
Pros:
Quite powerful Lightweight Long warranty period
Cons:
Slightly expensive A bit large
2. 3PLUS HCN45SP Roofing Nailer
3Plus is a newer brand of power tools when compared with other similar options out there. But even then, its pneumatic roofing nailer has a high user rating because of the value for money it offers to the user. 3Plus’ HCN45SP roofing nailer is present in the 2nd position in this article as it is the cheapest option mentioned here that makes it a great pick for users who are on a budget. Despite its lower price tag, you get great performance from this pneumatic power tool. It allows you to use thick 11 gauge nails at an angle of 15 degrees without any issues. And these nails can be of any length ranging from ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch that is more than enough for most users out there. Not only that, but you can fit a total of 120 of these nails in the nail magazine of this roofing nailer. However, since this is a budget option, it only comes with a 1-year long warranty. That being said, you get a decent build quality for the price. Its integrated side skid pads prevent the tool from sliding. You also get a 360-degree tool-free adjustable exhaust for directing the air in any direction you want. And all of these features and options offered by the 3Plus HCN45SP roofing nailers make it a great value for money option for a lot of users out there. Best Features:
¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 80 PSI to 110 PSI operational air pressure 1-year long warranty Weighs 7.2 pounds 360-degree tool-free adjustable exhaust Side skid pads for longevity of the tool
Pros:
Highly affordable Adjustable exhaust Decent performance
Cons:
Poor build quality High-pressure requirement
3. WEN 61783 Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
You can find a wide range of power tools and equipment offerings from Wen that are made for all kinds of applications. It even makes a roofing nailer that is pneumatic and comes at a very affordable price tag. Wen’s 61783 pneumatic roofing nailer can be a great option if you are on a budget. Even though this is an affordable model, it offers very similar performance to much more expensive options out there. You even get various accessories with it, including a carrying case, safety glasses, wrenches, and much more. All of these things make it a great value for money option. As for the warranty, it offers a 1-year long warranty to the user that is always great to have. Talking about its performance numbers, you can use 11 gauge nails with a diameter of 0.12 inches with this roofing nailer. Since these nails can range from ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch terms of the length, you can use this roofing nailer for almost all kinds of applications without any issues. It can easily drive all of the 120 nails in its magazine in a short period of time due to its 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure. You even get a quick-release mechanism for getting rid of any jams in this nailer that can save the user’s time. Best Features:
¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure 1-year long warranty Value for money due to included accessories Adjustable shingle guide and depth control for high precision Works with 11 gauge nails of 0.12-inch diameter 430-inch-pounds of force at 100 PSI
Pros:
Excellent budget option Various adjustments and controls High force rating
Cons:
Short warranty period Works only with specific nails
4. Hitachi NV45AB2 Coil Roofing Nailer
We already mentioned earlier in this article that Hitachi or Metabo HPT makes a wide range of roofing nailers out there. And we are here with a discontinued model that still makes a great choice for many users out there. This Hitachi NV45AB2 roofing nailer is present in the 3rd position in this article as it can be a great option if you are looking for a power option. Just like the previous Metabo HPT option present in this article, you get a nail length support range of ⅞ inch to 1 ¾ inch while using this roofing nailer. You can easily drive any nail within this length range due to the 70 PSI to 120 PSI operating pressure range of this roofing nailer. A great thing about this roofing nailer is that you can keep using it for a long time due to its 120 nail capacity magazine. And since this is a product from Hitachi, it only comes with a 5-year long warranty that is the same as other power tools offered by Metabo HPT products. This roofing nailer has a very balanced construction that weighs 5.5 pounds for ease of use while roofing. Another great thing about it is that it comes with rubber pads on the side that ensure that it does not slip off your roof even if you put it down on an angled roof tile. Best Features:
⅞ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure 5-year long warranty Weighs 5.5 pounds Rubber pads on the side for preventing slips ⅜ inch air inlet size Includes accessories
Pros:
Quite reliable Lightweight design Decent performance
Cons:
Expensive Discontinued model
5. AeroPro CN45N Professional Roofing Nailer
As per its name, AeroPro is a brand of power tools that mainly deals in pneumatic products and equipment. Due to this, you can even find a decent pneumatic roofing nailer option from AeroPro mentioned here. The AeroPro CN45N roofing nailer is ideal for professional usage just per its name. This is possible due to the high-performance numbers that it offers even at its justified price tag. You can use different nails with this roofing nailer that can range from ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch in terms of the length. It supports a total of 120 of these nails in its magazine that is quite similar when compared with the nail capacity of other roofing nailers out there. Since this is a pneumatic tool, it requires an operational air pressure of 70 PSI to 120 PSI to work properly. You can easily connect any air compressor of your choice with this roofing nailer because of its standard ⅜ inch air inlet port. This can be handy for using wire collated coil nails with a 0.12-inch diameter. As for the warranty, AeroPro offers a 1-year long warranty with it that is on par with other options in its class. However, this roofing nailer is quite sturdy and lightweight at the same time that makes it an excellent option for the on the go usage due to its compact size. Best Features:
¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 70 PSI to 120 PSI operational air pressure 1-year long warranty Lightweight and compact body Uses wire collated coil nails with a 0.12-inch diameter Works with most air compressors with its ⅜ inch air inlet Sideloading magazine Selective actuation switch
Pros:
Great performance Large magazine capacity Lightweight and compact design
Cons:
Slightly large in size Only a 1-year warranty
6. MAX USA CORP Roofing Coil Nailer
If you are looking for the best high-end industrial tools to buy at a reasonable price, then MAX USA CORP should be your go-to brand. The roofing coil nailer from this brand has captivating features, making it an absolute value for money. The nailer can resist tar better than other conventional roofing nailers. You can also remove the contact foot for time-to-time, effortlessly clean even without corrosive cleaning agents and since it is very inexpensive you can easily replace it if necessary. It comes with a self-cleaning end cap filter that protects the tool from foreign objects entering and automatically expels them when you disconnect the air hose. The machine prevents any kind of jamming and it comes with a nose magnet that is designed to hold the last nail in place ensuring every nail inserted into it is used effectively. You can adjust the nail depth with the machine’s sophisticated depth adjustment dial. With this dial, you can drive nails into both hard and soft materials with consistent polished finishing. Best Features:
Better holding power Self-cleaning filter 5.5 pounds weight up to 1-3/4″ nail length support 5 years limited warranty
Pros:
Comfortable to hold Self-cleaning filter Tar resistant No wastage Extremely safe
Cons:
Expensive
7. BOSTITCH BRN175A Coil Roofing Nailer
Finally, coming to the last roofing nailer in this article, we have a great option from Bostitch. Just like various other power tool offerings from Bostitch, this one is also highly reliable and durable. The Bostitch BRN175A roofing nailer is the most durable option in this article, and you can rely on it for a long time. This is possible due to the excellent build quality that it offers to the user. You even get a 7-year long warranty with it that is much higher than most other options out there. To further make this power tool last for a long time, Bostitch has included an upgraded engine and feed system in this roofing nailer that improves drive and durability. You can use various kinds of nails with this roofing nailer that can range anywhere from ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch when it comes to the length of these roofing nailers. It supports a total of 120 such nails in its nail magazine that is quite a decent capacity. Another great thing about this roofing nailer is that it weighs just 4.8 pounds that makes it one of the lightest options out there. When combined with its small and compact form factor, you can keep using it for a long time without any arm strain. It even takes very little space to store inside your toolkit. Best Features:
¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch nail length support 120 nail capacity magazine 7-year long warranty Weighs 4.8 pounds Highly durable and reliable Oversized tool-free depth adjustment Carbide nose inserts for less wear and tear Grip handle for extra comfort Dual door magazine for ease of use
Pros:
Portable and compact Highly reliable Great performance
Cons:
Slightly overpriced A bit large in size
How to Choose the Best Roofing Nailer:
While shopping for a roofing nailer, there are several aspects to consider which we have explained below in detail. We recommend you read our buying guide to make your purchase the perfect option as per your needs. Let’s get into the details of what factors to consider before buying the roofing nailer.
1. Power Supply (Pneumatic Vs. Cordless):
Cordless and pneumatic roofing nailers are two types of power sources available for roofing nailers. Both have their set of pros and cons, and you have to analyze to decide which type suits best for your roofing requirements.
Pneumatic Roofing Nailers –
It is operated by an external air compressor, which provides constant pressure over a long time. This is a perfect choice for those who spend all day on the roof. It is quite powerful and delivers the required force to shoot the nails through tough roof materials. However, a cumbersome air compressor and a cord are its drawbacks, which makes this nail gun a bit hard to maneuver and dangerous to use on the roof (if not used properly). Here you need to purchase an extension cord for effective working.
Cordless Roofing Nailers –
It is an electric nail gun powered by a rechargeable battery and a butane gas canister (fit inside the gun). Ensure to use the nailer with a fully charged battery to enjoy the benefit of flexibility, which lets you work freely on the roof without any worry on cords, restricting your gun movement. However, its drawback is that they are not powerful and can’t drive nails into tough roof material as a pneumatic nail gun. Also, you need to buy an extra backup battery to use when your battery runs out in the middle of your work.
2. Nail Length and Capacity:
The next thing to consider the utmost is nail capacity and length (nail size) before buying this nailer. It is a must to choose the nail size and capacity depending on your roof area. Nail Length – Prefer to choose a perfect-sized nail that suits better for your roof, yet not too long or too short. If you use too short nails, they don’t sufficiently hold the house’s roof. If the nails are too long, then they will stick through into the attic, and thereby creating a hazard to people moving around in the attic space. The roofing nail gun can easily handle nails of 3/4-inch to 1¾ – inch length. Nail Capacity – The nail capacity of the roofing nailers will range from 60 – 120 nails. Though a large capacity nailer is convenient to use and perform work quickly, yet adds extra weight to the gun. Usually, lots of nails are required for the roofing process, which makes most manufacturers design their nailer to reload with magazines easily that slide in and out of compartments on its side. So, use the nailer by loading magazines whenever the nails get empty in it, without adding extra weight.
3. Weight:
The ease of using a hand tool is determined by its weight. So, you have to check the weight of the roofing nailer before buying them. Also, the weight will influence accuracy, user endurance, and safety. Choosing a nailer with a manageable weight will help you easy to carry around and make precise nail placements. Also, it helps to maintain a stable balance on the rooftop, and thereby aid in longer working hours with less arm strain. The weight range of these nail guns will be 4 ½ – 5 ½ pounds. Basically, these tools are made of metal and have a lot of them, which certainly raise the overall weight of the tool.
4. Air Pressure Range:
There should be enough air pressure for the roofing nailer for the complete driving of nails through the roofing material. Also, it won’t damage the nailer, roof, or material. However, an air compressor is required by most nailers to produce 70 – 120 pounds per square inch (PSI). A PSI of the nailer should be set properly, why because too low PSI will make nails stick out of the roofing, while too high PSI will drive the nail too deep into the roof that might damage the shingles or nailer itself (as it causes jams). To get rid of these issues, manufacturers designed a nailer with a convenient dial feature that lets you adjust nail depth without getting down from the ladder to adjust the pressure on the compressor. Usually, a nailer having a wide pressure range is an ideal option that lets you set the air compressor based on the amount of pressure required to operate.
5. Types of Firing Methods:
Since these are specialized tools, their design will be the same without much variation. But the key difference between them is the firing methods, in which you have to choose based on your work type. Some models can swap between firing methods that let you make it use in diverse situations. Contact trigger method and sequential trigger method are two types of firing methods used to shoot nails from roofing nailers. Contact Trigger Method – Contact trigger (or bump firing) will drive the nail whenever you bump the tip of the nailer against your working material. The user needs to keep the trigger engaged, which lets them work quickly while driving large amounts of nails. Sequential Trigger Method – This method is quite useful whenever accurate placement is required. Place the tip against the surface, and then pull the trigger to fire the nail. It is a safer approach than its counterparts.
6. Depth of Drive:
Since roofs are built with a variety of materials, the roofing nailer has to adjust the depth of drive to insert nails accordingly without damaging the roof material/shingles. So, a roofing nail gun with an easy-to-adjust depth of drive will make your repairing work done efficiently and smoothly. Some models come with a scrolling wheel (or) a trigger mechanism to adjust this drive’s depth. It would be better to choose a model with a tool-less adjustment feature, or else it can be a time-taken and fiddly process.
7. Handle:
One has to shoot hundreds or thousands of nails to replace a roof. Since it is a long process, the roofing nailer must be convenient to hold and use for a longer time. So, select a nailer with having ergonomically shaped handle with soft, rubberized grips. This not only minimizes the hand fatigue but also assure that tool won’t slip out of the hand, even if used for a long time.
8. Safety Features:
Alike other types of nailers, this roofing nailer is a bit dangerous power tool, if not used carefully. Most manufacturers designed their nailers with some safety features to minimize the risk of causing accidents. One of those safety features is a tip, in which the user has to press this tip to shoot nails, and thereby averts accidental driving nails into the air. As mentioned above, few nailer models can swap from two firing methods that let you toggle between bump firing (drive a nail by pressing the tip), or safer single-shot firing (pull the trigger to drive each nail). Several models offer lockout switches to deter accidental or unintentional firing of nails. Rubberized sides is another safety function that prevents roofing nail gun from sliding off a roof and causing injury to someone.
9. Extra Features:
Some features don’t affect the performance of the nail gun, yet they make the overall process smooth and easy. Let’s check out what are those features.
Case – A hard plastic storage case is an essential thing to store the gun in a safe place while not using. Also, it helps to keep the tool in a dry place after completing your work or till you come back to work later. Jam Clearing – Though it won’t be a frequent issue in good quality nailers, yet, predictably, you may experience this issue ultimately. All you need is to clear this jam easily to make it quickly get back to normal working. Directional Exhaust – It helps to keep the debris, dust, and air out of the face and thereby lets you enjoy your work.
10. Nail Magazine Type:
Coil-style and stick-style are two main types of nail magazines available for roofing nailers, in which their selection is based on personal preference. Here the coil style magazine can easily hold nails in long, flexible strips. While stick-style magazine can also hold a long strip of nails and comes at an affordable price range. Typically, coil-style nail magazine holds a lot more nails, which makes them a bit expensive than stick-style models.
11. Nose Tip:
The nose tip will touch your working material while nailing down. So, it is essential to consider its quality along with some extra characteristics it should possess before buying roofing nailers. It is a must that the nose tip will touch the surface at a zero-degree angle. However, the shingle loosens up the bound than the rest, if the nails go then this certain angle. With its anti-sticking part on some nailers, it helps to protect the nose tip from damages due to tarmac/asphalt and other chemicals used for shingle’s strength while repairing or replacing the roofing.
12. Accessories:
There are several accessories like the case, safety glasses, oil, and jam-clearing features that are offered by the roofing nailer. You have to choose your required accessories to make it easy to use the nailer, which is especially useful for novice DIYer. Thus, you can buy them at once rather than spending time, money, and effort on their individual purchase.
13. Exhaust Vent:
Usually, highly pressurized air is used by these tools to shoot the nails through the roofing material, yet the air won’t come out with the nail. So, you have to look for the exhaust vent on the roofing nailer. If this air is not regulated properly, then it blows sand or dust to your eyes. Hence, roofing nail guns come with a rotating exhaust on their backside. You have to adapt it and direct the vent away from you. Also, wear protective gloves while operating tools that use pressurized air for safe and effective usage.
14. Material:
Since these tools are meant for outdoor usage, they are designed to withstand certain exposure to the elements/environment. So, they have to be constructed with strong and durable materials like steel and aluminum.
15. Construction:
The built quality and the construction material will let you know how strong and compact a roofing nailer is. Irrespective of its lighter weight, they make the user feel holding a hard tool when lifting it. Few models offer extra features to protect from regular wear, such as wear plates (safeguard from wear and tear) and filters (stop reaching of dust & debris to the motor). So, the roofing nailer that is made much better will last longer.
16. Versatility:
Are you going to use a nailer for doing other tasks more than roofing? What type of materials do you use on your roofing nailer? These two things will determine the versatility of a roofing nailer. If you want to use a nailer for doing other works, then check out some models offering attachments that switch easily and make you use this nailer for doing other outdoor tasks. Coming to the type of material you’re using on the roofing nailer. Some models let you use various types of materials like waterproof tar paper, asphalt, and fiberglass shingles, aluminum, and vinyl siding. Ensure to perform all your roofing works during dry, warm months, yet it won’t always be the case. No one would like to work on a roof when it’s raining, rather it is better to work during colder months. So, make sure that the nailer is waterproof that can easily handle some water and doesn’t freeze up in the cold season. Typically, a roofing nailer that does several things is the most preferred option to purchase. So, keep versatility in your mind while investing in a roofing nailer.
17. Ease of Use/Comfort:
It is not easy to install or repair roofs and involves a lot of work. So, the tool you choose for this roofing purpose should make the overall process easy and comfortable. For this, we suggest you choose lightweight models with several features like soft rubber grips, depth of drive dials, no-skid pads, and adjustable exhausts. All these handy features will avert fatigue, and minimize safety hazards and downtime. Thus, this tool will help you to do your job easily and quickly.
18. High Accuracy:
A highly accurate roofing nail gun will shoot nails perfectly, or else they fire in a crooked fashion. So, it is a must to know its accuracy before making its purchase. Usually, the nail has to go precisely with the nail tip, which will enhance the craftmanship’s quality. Hence most manufacturers highlight this factor on their pack. In case, if you didn’t find it, you can easily ask the customer service team to get clear information and resolve your queries.
19. Price:
With the availability of several roofing nailer options, price is also an essential deciding factor. All you need is to check various models that come within your budget range. Usually, the price of roofing nailers will start from $ 95 and can go up to $500 (or more). We suggest you choose branded products and premium options while frequently working on roofing jobs to grab the great value for money.
20. Durability and Warranty:
Make sure to purchase a durable and reliable roofing nailer, if you want to use them for a long time without any issues. The easiest way to check the durability of a given roofing nailer is by looking at its warranty duration. Some options out there come with a minimum of a 1-year warranty, more reliable options might offer a 5 year long or even a 7-year long warranty. Purchase the models that offer a long time usage with peace of mind.
Tips to Follow While Using Roofing Nailers:
These specialized nail guns are designed to use for tougher materials on the roof such as fiberglass shingles, asphalt, waterproof tar paper, and insulation board. With this roofing nailer, you can securely and quickly replace an old one and install a new one.
To make all this happen, you have to keep all these tips in mind and follow them whenever you use the nailer. Since these are powerful tools, ensure to pick the sufficient air compressor that provides enough power to air-powered roofing nail guns. Do a test shot while adjusting the depth of drive to confirm that you set everything properly. Adjust the exhaust to position them away from the face so that the dirt and debris won’t get into the eyes. Use the handy shingle guide to shoot evenly spaced nails. Make yourself comfortable with the roofing nail gun before you swap to contact/bump mode, why because it is a bit faster than single-action and tricky and dangerous to use.
Conclusion:
A roofing nailer is a very specific type of nailer that is used for roofing purposes. However, there are a lot of things that have to be considered while buying such a power tool. Thus, we have mentioned some of the best roofing nailers along with their important details and factors. And if that’s not enough, you can even find a detailed buying guide related to roofing nailers in this article. It will take you through all of the essential aspects and factors that have to be considered while buying such nailers. But, if you still can’t decide on one, simply pick one from our recommendations:
The Bostitch BRN175A roofing nailer is the most reliable option present in this article. It offers a 7-year long warranty along with great build quality. You also get pretty decent performance as it offers the support for ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch long nails for roofing. You can also consider the 3Plus HCN45SP roofing nailers if you are on a budget. Despite being the cheapest option here, it supports 11 gauge nails that can have a length of ¾ inch to 1 ¾ inch for flexibility during roofing. Metabo HPT’s NV45AB2 roofing nailer offers both reliability as well as great performance to the user. Its 70 PSI to 120 PSI operating pressure range ensures that you can easily drive ⅞ inch to 1 ¾ inch nails. And it comes with a 5-year long warranty that is always great to have.
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