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Doing a roofing job isn’t easy, even if you’re experienced. Though you need to know what roofing material you’re dealing with, choose the most appropriate roofing nails, and have the right safety gear, the tools you use for the roofing project are just as important.
The best roofing nailers are different for everyone, and these machines come in all sizes and shapes. Even a small change to the design or the nail gun components may alter how they can be used.
It can seem hard to pick the best roofing nailer for your job, but you can easily narrow your search down if you know what to look for. Let’s get started:
Bostitch RN46 Coil Roofing Nailer
Max USA Coil Roofing NailerPost name
HBT HBCN45P Coil Roofing Nailer7
Metabo NV45AB2 HPT Roofing Nailer
AeroPro CN45N Professional Roofing Nailer
Porter-Cable RN175C Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
Makita AN454 1 3/4-inch Coil Roofing Nailer
Dewalt DW45RN Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
WEN 61783 Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
Bostitch BRN175A 15-degree Coil Roofing Nailer
10 Best Roofing Nailers
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND DURABLE – The sliding nail gun has lightweight aluminum housing for job site durability.
- ZERO NAIL LOCKOUT FEATURE – Zero nail lockout feature of the siding nailer eliminates dry firing and indicates when to reload the magazine.
- AGGRESSIVE WEAR GUARDS AND SKID PADS – Aggressive wear guards and skid pads protect the tool from damage on abrasive surfaces.
- QUICK-SET ADJUSTABLE DEPTH GUIDE – Quick-set adjustable depth guide sets nails to desired depths quickly and conveniently.
- Sometimes it’s Double fires nails
Bostitch is a top brand name, and its roofing nailer features a lockout system. That way, you can’t fire it if it’s empty. This is a key safety feature that you need to prevent serious accidents.
You’re sure to appreciate the depth control adjustment feature on the Bostitch roofing nailer. That way, you have more versatility in the long run. If that weren’t enough, the side-load canister is reloaded in just one step.
While many roofing nailers use the coil setup, this nail gun can handle 3/4-inch or 1 3/4-inch coils to handle different roof types.
It also comes with a lightweight magnesium body, so you know it’s durable and strong. The carbide tips also ensure that it’s long-lasting and ideal for small and large jobs.
Plus, it handles air pressure of 70 to 120 PSI, allowing you more control over the power.
This nailer is straightforward and features an adjustable shingle guide to help you get the proper nail line. With that, it’s not complicated to use, so it’s a great roofing nailer for all types of roofing tasks.
The Max USA brand could have the perfect roofing nailer. Its swivel-fitting system is unique and keeps the air hose out of your way while you’re tackling the roofing job. You also get a trigger lock that prevents you from dry-firing. This is convenient, safer, and makes quick work of what you’re doing.
There’s a rapid-fire valve in the trigger system, so it handles the roofing materials with ease. Whether you’re putting in insulation boards or cedar shingles, it can fire nails effortlessly.
You’re sure to appreciate the round head driver blade to provide more power when you need it most. You also get an adjustable depth control feature, so you can use your nail gun in various situations without having to swap it for a different tool.
Because there’s a tar-resistant nose design and a special contact foot, this nailer is better at preventing roof scratches and rarely gets dirty components.
Overall, this could be one of the best roofing nailers to handle awkward angles and materials. Plus, it works on sticky tar and lets you be on the slope without damaging the roof.
If you want a good roofing nailer, you may want to consider the roofing nail gun from HBT. It can drive 11-gauge nails at nail sizes of 7/8 to 1 3/4-inches. That means you get versatility. There’s also a built-in actuation feature to help you switch between contact and sequential modes whenever the need arises.
You’re sure to like the dial adjustable depth control, which is altered without any other tools. The adjustable shingle guide ensures that you can nail your insulation board with ease.
Plus, the roofing nail gun front has a skid-resistant material on it and the wear guard. That offers more protection!
The lightweight housing is made using magnesium, which improves maneuverability and reduces weight. Since it’s a durable construction, shingle placement is much easier to handle than with other power tools.
The roof nail gun from Metabo features an adjustment system that requires no extra tools. You also get a carbide-tipped level to offer more durability during extended use. If that weren’t enough, the rubber grip pads ensure that you’re accurate when handing various roofing jobs.
This nail gun offers a side-loading system, so it’s easier to load when the need arises. Plus, the design of the pneumatic roofing nailer ensures that you can use it in many conditions that occur in the roofing industry.
Since it’s easy to use, you can replace or repair your own roof with no problems.
Most roofing nailers are heavy, but this one is just 5.5 pounds. While that’s heavier than a brad nailer, it also does a lot more. You can’t nail asphalt shingles without it!
Overall, it’s an efficient and simple design, which gives you great results and faster reloads.
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The AeroPro CN45N roofing nailer is a professional and high-quality machine. It uses a unique cylinder to reduce the recoil. That way, you can use sequential or bump firing. Because of the single-action magazine, you may rapidly lay nails when you need to.
Plus, this power tool uses a 120-nail magazine, so you’re not likely to run out too soon. You may even adjust the depth without using other tools like a wrench.
Even though it has a heavy-duty body, it weighs just over 6 pounds. Therefore, it’s surprisingly lightweight. On top of it all, these roofing nail guns accept 12-inchx1 3/4-inch nails and smaller sizes, too.
This professional nailer might be the best for versatility and durability. Consider this roofing nailer if you want multiple firing options and have different nail size requirements.
The Porter-Cable brand features a pneumatic roofing nailer with a compact design. That means you get much more control when dealing with your roofing tasks. Plus, the adjustable shingle guide and depth settings of this roofing nailer make it easier to match your needs for the job.
There is a special over-molded rubber grip, too. That way, you can line up the nails perfectly. You may even change the exhaust’s direction without tools, making it more comfortable to shoot roofing nails with ease.
Just be aware that you require an air compressor with adequate air pressure because this is a pneumatic tool. You can also find a cordless roofing nailer with the same name/branding. That roofing nail gun style might be best if you don’t have a compressor.
Overall, the design of this nail gun is similar to other nail guns, so it’s easy to use, even if you don’t have a lot of experience. This tool is ideal for many projects where you don’t want heavy equipment that’s hard to hold for long periods.
Those who want the best roofing nailer might wish to consider the Makita brand. It is a reliable and fast roofing nailer and is designed for efficiency and performance in all situations. Therefore, you get something with a light body that lasts a long time. Plus, it’s not hard to use or weak.
This roofing nailer weighs just 5.2 pounds and features a one-step adjusting process. Therefore, you can reload it more easily than with other nail guns. There’s also a tool-free adjustment system so that you can control where the nails are placed and the nail depth.
There are also large steel plates at the front to reduce damage to the roof and tool. Overall, this is a high-quality nailer that comes with various features and is easy to use for long periods.
When you need a high-speed roofing nailer, the Dewalt brand has you covered. It can drive 10 nails a second and at 120 PSI. While that means you need an air compressor, these types of nail guns are often the best choice.
With that, the Dewalt features an excellent body construction, which means it has a long lifespan. Overall, this pneumatic nailer is easy to use and can even be a multi-purpose machine. You’re sure to appreciate the rubber grip on the handle, making it ergonomic and easy to use for long periods.
Because these nail guns weigh just 4.5 pounds, you get more accuracy and can use them without arm/hand fatigue for longer periods.
On top of it all, the rubber and steel skid plates of this roofing nailer make it harder for the gun to slip and damage the work surface or the tool.
Overall, this coil nailer features a higher speed than others, making it great for fast projects. Plus, it’s strong enough to handle individual nails and double nailing, too.
The Wen pneumatic nailer reaches up to 120 PSI of pressure for the most power possible. With that, it fires 11-gauge nails effectively. Still, you must remember that a tool like this requires an air compressor. If you don’t have one, you must incur that added expense. Those who do have a compressor should check to see what PSI levels it runs on to ensure that it works with the machine.
You also get a depth of drive and an adjustable shingle system to space each nail effortlessly. There is also a large magazine on this roofing nailer, which means you don’t run out and can continue to drive nails with ease.
This could be the best roofing nail gun because of the adjustable exhaust system. Ensure that the air output is away from your face and work surface easily.
Plus, you get a carrying case that holds the tool and everything else. That offers more protection and makes it easy to transport.
Unlike other nailers, this one has a design that offers the best results without being too fancy to use easily.
Whether tackling DIY projects or owning your own roofing company, you want roofing nailers that get the job done right. The BRN175A is an upgraded version of the brand’s older roofing nailer, so it has better nailing qualities and improved performance. You always get the results you need when you choose this product.
You’re sure to appreciate its dual-door magazine, which means you can open/close it in different ways, depending on your situation. Plus, the shingle guide and depth adjustment options make it easy to use. With that, this tool has a grip design to provide more comfort and control without interfering with its accuracy.
Overall, this nailer has improved features, which sets it apart from other products on the market.
Buyer’s Guide
With so many roofing nailers available, it’s hard to pick the best one. Countless brands compete for your attention and business. Though it seems impossible to sort them all out, it can be done with some careful thinking. Each person has their own preferences and requirements when it comes to nail guns to buy. Roofing is a niche job that requires different materials and specialty tools.
While you learned about the top 10 options, it’s a good idea to determine what to watch for when buying a nail gun.
Nail Capacity
All roofing nailers have a specific type of magazine they can use, and certain ones hold more nails than others, even at the basic level. While you might not think it’s important to have a big magazine, it could be a useful feature to have in certain situations.
Remember, a roofing nail gun comes in many forms, and it can be deadly and powerful. The more “shots” you can take before reloading, the easier it is to use.
For example, if you have a 60-nail capacity, then you must refill it more often than if you had a 120-nail capacity. Everything else about the tool could be the same, but you’re working harder.
However, you must also think about the weight of the tool. A full magazine weighs more, so it might be uncomfortable to hold for long durations. Plus, you can still burn through 120 nails fast because the reloads are spaced out so much.
Overall, some people just like to use smaller magazines because they are lightweight. You also learn to reload them quickly because you’re doing it more often and gain a better understanding of how long a full load lasts. Most magazines angle away from the front so that it’s easier to tackle awkward angles.
Other times, similar nail capacities don’t mean that the machines are the same. For example, think about Hitachi power tools. They tend to have a 3/8-inch inlet, while others use a 1/4-inch air inlet. Though it’s a small difference, this changes what air compressors they are compatible with and may even change efficiency because they have to suck the same amount of air into a smaller or larger hole.
Weight
The weight of the roofing nailer can also alter the way people use the tool. Some people prefer to use lighter models because they can do various movements throughout the day without holding all that weight. Others like the extra weight so that they’re balanced and stable while using the roofing nail gun for precision tasks.
Some designs use specific materials to reduce the weight. For example, aluminum housing often weighs less than magnesium. Aluminum housing is lightweight and strong, so it’s used by many brands and in various applications.
Still, the material used to create the tool might not lower the weight significantly. All the nailers talked about today have similar weights.
Pressure
Pressure plays a crucial role in any air-based power tool. However, a roof nailer requires more pressure to be effective. You’re driving nails into roof materials, but it can’t be overly strong, or it damages the material you’re working with or the nails themselves.
Most roofing nailers have a PSI of 70 to 120, and you can adjust that range as needed. Still, that’s not always true. A framing nailer might have different ranges compared to roofing nailers, and often, those used for roofing require a higher PSI.
Even if you have two products with identical PSI ranges, it doesn’t mean one is exactly the same as other roofing nailers that have those same limits. You must also think about wearing guards, design, nose pieces, and everything else.
Branding
Branding plays a huge part in the power tools market, and that’s not always a bad thing. As with other products, roofing nailers can come from various brands and manufacturers. You may not be able to tell one from another just by looking at the unit.
Most people like the idea of brand competition for roofing nailers because it gives them many options. However, it’s also harder to determine which is the best tool for you.
FAQs
What Are the Differences between a Siding and Roofing Nailer?
A siding nailer is similar to roofing nailers, but they tend to use smaller nails. With that, a siding nailer doesn’t have to penetrate as far into the surface and doesn’t have to be very durable or supportive.
Alternatively, roofing nails must be strong to handle the elements and stress put on them. There could be other differences between them, but they are often subtle.
A good way to tell the difference is from the shingle system and exhaust ports. Roofing nailers have larger heads and smooth shanks. You may also see multi-directional ports. In contrast, siding nail guns aren’t as sturdy because siding is an easier job. Plus, they’re often cheaper and lighter.
Can You Use Brad Nailers for Roofing?
Brad nailers shoot out brad nails, which is like a finishing nail. They’re very small and aren’t as powerful as roofing nail guns. With that, you must hammer the nail in when the nail gun puts it into the material.
Generally, brad nail guns are headless, thin, and not as strong, so they aren’t suitable for roofing. Still, you may use them to put on the finishing touches if you want. Most people choose a finishing nailer, though.
What Type of Nail Gun Do do You Need for Roofing?
Finishing and framing are different activities that cover many individual jobs. However, the distinction here is obvious: finishing focuses more on ensuring that the small parts of the project look aesthetically pleasing and correct, while framing involves setting up the materials and angling correctly to nail fiberglass shingles into place.
Both are useful, and you are sure to need them all for jobs in the future. However, roofing nail guns are the most important in the long run.
Technically, you can use a roofing nailer for finishing, but you must be careful because they have a high PSI. This makes it easy to overshoot the surface you’re trying to finish, making it look bad or harming the materials you’re working with. If you’ve got no other options, then you may use a roofing nail gun for finishing tasks.
Expert Tips
Sequential triggers are often the safest option for many situations. Bump and contact triggers are more specialized. If the roofing nailer lets you swap between the triggers, you must ensure that you pick the right one for the job, or you might hurt yourself.
You should also be aware that some nailers use regular flue, batteries, or are pneumatic. Ensure that you read the specifications to know what you’re getting.
Conclusion
Right now, you should have a good idea of what you require in a roofing nailer and the features you think you might need for the roofing job at hand. Just take your time to figure out which roofing nailer you need most so that you have everything you want when the time comes to use it.
Overall, any of the products listed earlier are a great choice and give you a good start on your search. Most of them are specifically focused on roofing, but some offer a mixture of framing activities you can do with them.
The Bostitch RN46 is the best roofing nailer overall because the depth adjustment is easy to use, it’s lightweight, and it offers a shingle guide. You also get a lockout mechanism to protect it from firing when no nails are inside. If that weren’t enough, it features an operating pressure of 120 PSI and has a durable design. You’re sure to be happy when you add it to your tool collection.
