What nails do I use for cedar shingles
Ava Hall
Published Mar 16, 2026
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau prefers the use of nails, however if you choose to use staples they must be stainless steel Type 316 in locations within fifteen (15) miles of salt water. For locations outside of the salt water zone stainless steel Type 304 or Type 316 must be used.
What nails do you use to install cedar shingles?
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau prefers the use of nails, however if you choose to use staples they must be stainless steel Type 316 in locations within fifteen (15) miles of salt water. For locations outside of the salt water zone stainless steel Type 304 or Type 316 must be used.
How many nails do I need for cedar shingles?
Place two nails 2 cm (3/4 in.) from each edge of the cedar shingle and 4 cm (1 1/2 in.) above the exposure. To avoid buckling, allow 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 in.)
Can you use a roofing nailer for cedar shingles?
“Use either rust-resistant staples or shingle nails (1-1/4” to 1-1/2” long), galvanized, in stainless steel or aluminum”. … It simply means that the best nail gun for cedar shingles will either be a stapler nail gun or any nailer that can shoots the recommended nails or staples!What are the best fasteners for cedar shingles?
The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau prefers the use of nails, however if you choose to use staples they must be stainless steel Type 316 in locations within fifteen (15) miles of salt water. For locations outside of the salt water zone – stainless steel staples Type 304 or Type 316 must be used.
Can you use a nail gun for cedar siding?
With some overlap in nail size, you may wonder whether framing nailers can be used for siding? The answer is, yes. Framing nail guns can be used for siding installation, if the nail being used is long enough to attach the siding firmly to your exterior wood sheathing.
What size nails do you use for cedar siding?
Siding TypeThickness (in.)Nail SizeBevel3/42-1/4 (7d)7/8 & greater3 (10d)Boards, Tongue & Groove, and Channel5/82 (6d)3/42 (6d)
Can I use galvanized nails in cedar?
Hot-Dipped galvanized, aluminum and stainless steel nails are all corrosion-resistant and all can be used to nail Western Red Cedar. Other types of nails are not recommended. They can rust and disintegrate and react adversely with the natural preservative oils present in cedar resulting in stains and streaks.Can you use brad nails for shingles?
Large-body nailers typically include framing nailers and roofing nailers. These nailers are used for more technical projects such as framing out a basement or installing roofing shingles. … For woodworking projects, a brad nailer is a good choice.
Should you seal cedar shingles?No. Never seal your cedar roof. Sealing the roof will lock in moisture that would otherwise naturally evaporate during normal weather conditions. Cedar needs to breathe and thus a water repellant type product, rather than a water proofer is the best route to follow.
Article first time published onDo you nail or staple shingles?
Fasteners for asphalt shingles should be roofing nails or staples. The head of a roofing nail or the crown of a staple is what actually holds a shingle in place. … If staples are properly installed, they offer nearly the same wind resistance as nails.
How many nails should be used per shingle?
General Guidelines for Nailing Shingles Install the recommended number of nails per shingle. For Duration® Series shingles, Owens Corning recommends using either a 4- or 6-nail fastening pattern depending on the roof’s slope and building code requirements. In most cases, 4 nails are adequate.
How do you count nails?
Calculate the entire area to be built and the number of nails required. If there are 320 nails per roofing square and you need four squares, you need 1,280 nails for the entire roof. If there are 10 8-foot planks on your deck, you need 160 nails to attach the planks.
Can you use screws for cedar shingles?
Each Certi-label Western Cedar shingle or shake should be applied with two corrosion-resistant fasteners, such as stainless steel (type 304 or 316), hot-dipped zinc coated, or aluminum nails or other fastener as accepted by your local building official.
Where do you put nails on cedar siding?
Bevel siding should be face nailed to studs with 1-1/4 inch penetration into solid wood using one nail per piece spaced at a maximum of 24 inches on center. Place nail just above the overlap. Take care not to nail through the overlap of two pieces.
What size nails should I use for siding?
Nail Length Ideally, you should space the nails so that each one penetrates a stud; 8d nails, which are 2 1/2-inches long, are suitable for most siding materials. It isn’t always possible to nail into studs, especially when you’re installing shake siding.
What size are 8d nails?
Nail SizeShank Length8d nails102.5″10d nails93″12d nails93.25″16d nails83.5″
Can you use a roofing nail gun for siding?
Just keep in mind the main difference between them; the fasteners they use. If you’re installing siding, you want a siding nailer. For installing roofing, a roofing nailer is the best choice.
Can you use a brad nailer for siding?
A pneumatic nail gun should be used for siding installation, especially for harder fiber cement siding. … You cannot use a brad gun for installing siding because the brads leave two holes for each brad and do not hold up as well as siding nails.
What is a brad nailer?
A brad nailer is a powered nail gun that shoots 18-gauge brads (small nails). Brad nailers are used by woodworkers and especially finish carpenters to install casing and base trim up to 3/8 inches thick. … Most brad guns can shoot brads that range in length from 5/8 inches to 2 inches.
Is a brad nailer the same as a nail gun?
Brad nails are formed from a fine, 18-gauge wire, which means they are smaller in diameter and typically have less holding strength. The benefit to an 18-gauge brad is its size. … Finish nailers will run 15- or 16-gauge finish nails, in both angled and straight varieties depending on the tool.
Do you use tar paper under cedar shingles?
Felt underlayment/tar paper: Felt materials are a traditional underlayment option for cedar shingles made from a base of natural materials like wood cellulose or synthetics like fiberglass and coated with a protective asphalt coating to repel moisture and debris.
How do you install cedar shingles on a shed?
- Cover the roof in felt roofing paper.
- Install a cedar breather if needed.
- Use a chalk line to align the starter course of cedar shingles.
- Install shingles using 2” weather-resistant nails.
- Install the first course directly on top of the starter course.
What fasteners to use with cedar?
Cedar. For cedar fences, use stainless steel, double hot-dipped galvanized or polymer-coated fasteners. Don’t use zinc-plated steel – the zinc in the fasteners may react with the acids in the cedar and create corrosion streaks.
What screws to use in cedar?
Cedar,” of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA). The best option is stainless steel, which is the least likely to react with water and salt. At bare minimum, fasteners should be hot-dipped galvanized, in which the nail or screw is coated with zinc to protect it from corrosion, meeting ASTM A153.
When should you not use galvanized nails?
Also, never use galvanized nails with copper flashing. In the presence of a little moisture, the two metals set up a battery-like galvanic reaction that corrodes the metals quickly.
How do you keep cedar shakes looking new?
If you have weathered and discolored wood siding, you can regain the new look of cedar by cleaning off the dirt and mildew with a solution of one third cup liquid household detergent (be sure it is ammonia-free), one quart liquid household bleach (containing 5% sodium hypochlorite), and three quarts warm water.
Should cedar siding be caulked?
Butt-joints…. NOTE: Generally, we do not recommend caulking butt-joints on cedar siding. Natural siding boards are designed to expand and contract with the elements and we do not want any adhesive to prevent their natural movement.
Can you walk on cedar shingles?
So can you walk on a cedar shake roof? The short answer: yes. … Still, even if they do support your weight, cedar shakes are also notoriously slippery and difficult to navigate, especially after a recent storm or if they are covered in moss or other growths.
How long should your nails be for shingles?
Proper Nail Application For Asphalt Shingles Nails should have a minimum, nominal shank diameter of 11- or 12-gauge, and a minimum head diameter of three-eighths of an inch. The length of each nail must be a minimum of 1¼ inches long, and for roof-overs, Atlas recommends a nail length of at least 2 inches.
Can I nail down loose shingles?
Be sure to nail back down any undamaged shingles that had to be loosened to release damaged shingles. Seal each nail head with a bit of roofing cement.