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Roof Installation Methods – Is Hand Or Air Gun Nailing Better?

When having a new shingle roof installation done, one of the details that matter is how the contractor inserts the roofing nails.

Many roofers use air guns to do their nailing, while some still rely on tried and true hammer nailing.

There are pros and cons to both methods and plenty of opinions on which is best, too.

Homeowners hiring contractors to do a new roofing installation should understand the difference between the two to make the best decision.

Pros and Cons of Hand Nailing

Hand nailing is the original method used to affix shingles during a roof installation, using just a hammer and roofing nails.

The advantages of using this method are plenty:

Exact nail placement in the right spot on the shingle is easier when hand nailing.
Roofers can easily sense and control the depth of the nail head when nailing by hand. This is critical, as leaving the nail head too high can cause the overlaying shingle to loosen, while burying the head too deep can cause the shingle to pop over the nail and loosen.
Hand nailing, when done by a skilled roofing installation professional, can provide an accurate, precise job.

Yet hand nailing does bring with it a number of disadvantages, too:

Hand nailing takes longer and therefore costs more than air nailing.
Hand nailing does not promise a precise roof installation, as it is a process that requires skill and experience to learn placement, pressure, and how deep to set the nails.

Pros and Cons of Air Nailing

Air gun nailing is preferred by many roofers for a number of reasons:

Using an air gun speeds up a roofing installation considerably, which in turn costs the homeowner less money on the installation.
Air gun nailing is easier and less labor-intensive for the workers to do.

Conversely, air nailing brings with it a number of disadvantages that homeowners should be aware of beyond the faster and less costly service:

The precision of nail placement can be more challenging, requiring the roofer to be well-trained with the nail gun to ensure proper attachment of shingles.
Nails can easily be embedded too deeply, causing the shingles to pop over the nailhead and loosen over time.
Accuracy in the installation can be compromised when unskilled roofers work too quickly and fail to ensure the correct nailing position.

Which Method Is Better?

While there are pros and cons to each method that balance them out in terms of which one is better, the difference lies in the skill of the roofer in all cases.

Some contractors still prefer to use hand nailing for their roof installations, are expertly skilled at it, and can provide a precision job.

Others prefer air gun nailing and are experienced with that.

Where a homeowner can get into trouble is asking a contractor who is trained in one method to do the other if they are not equally proficient.

Discuss Nailing Methods With An Experienced Roofer

There is no difference between hand nailing and air nailing when skilled roofers correctly use either method, other than the time involved and the cost.

Considering this, homeowners should discuss this topic with their contractors to learn which method they prefer and then research the contractor to ensure they provide excellent workmanship.

A bit of discussion about nailing methods prior to a new roofing installation can ensure a great job and avoid problems later on!