Roofing Fasteners (Nails and Screws)

Fasteners hold every layer of a roof in place, and in storms they are often the weak link. Roofing uses a range of nails, screws and clips selected for the substrate, the covering, wind exposure and corrosion conditions.

Roofing nails

• Roofing (clout) nails: short nails with broad flat heads that hold asphalt shingles, felt and similar sheet products without tearing through.
• Ring-shank (annular ring) nails: shanks with a series of ridges that grip the wood fibres and resist withdrawal much better than smooth shanks. They are widely specified for sheathing, battens and coverings in high-wind areas.
• Coatings and metals: galvanised steel (hot-dip galvanising gives high corrosion resistance) is common; copper nails are used with slate and copper flashing; stainless steel is used in coastal and long-life roofs.
• Sizing: in the US, nail length is denoted by penny size with a "d" suffix; for example, 6d is about 2 in (51 mm). Sheathing panels are commonly fixed with 8d nails.

Screws and specialty fasteners

• Self-drilling or wood-gripping screws with sealing washers fix exposed-fastener metal roofing panels; the bonded washer, typically EPDM rubber, seals the hole. Over-tightening can crush the washer, while under-tightening leaves gaps.
• Spring-head (umbrella-head) nails with rubber gaskets and ring shanks are a traditional fixing for corrugated metal sheets.
• Clips: concealed clips fix standing-seam metal panels while allowing thermal movement.
• Tile clips, hooks and storm clips: used in tile and slate roofing; UK BS 5534 sets fixing requirements that depend on wind exposure.
• Plates and screws: used to fix insulation and membranes on low-slope roofs.

Good practice

• Follow the roof covering manufacturer's nailing pattern; wind ratings depend on it.
• Drive nails flush, not overdriven or angled.
• Use fasteners compatible with flashing metals and with preservative-treated timber to avoid corrosion.