What is the difference between roofing nails and framing nails?
Short answer. Roofing nails are short, typically 3/4 to 2 inches, with an oversized flat head and a galvanized or other corrosion resistant finish, made to pin thin shingles to the deck. Framing nails are much longer, often 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches, with thicker shanks and smaller heads, usually bright or coated steel, made to join lumber structurally.
Side by side
- Length: roofing nails mostly 1 to 2 inches. Framing nails are sized by the penny system: 8d is 2 1/2 inches, 10d is 3 inches, 16d is 3 1/2 inches.
- Shank: framing nails are thicker for shear strength between boards. Roofing nails are slimmer.
- Head: roofing nails have wide heads, 3/8 inch or more, to hold soft shingle material. Framing nail heads are smaller because they bear on solid wood.
- Finish: roofing nails must be corrosion resistant. Framing nails are often bright steel or vinyl coated for driving ease, with galvanized versions for treated lumber.
- Collation: roofing guns use wire-collated coils; framing guns use sticks of nails, so the tools are not interchangeable.
Where framing nails belong on a roof
The roof deck itself is fastened to the rafters or trusses with framing-type nails, commonly 8d, at set spacing along panel edges and in the field. Ring shank 8d nails grip much better, which is why the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard calls for them when renailing decks. Framing nails also hold rafters, trusses and blocking together.
Why not use one for the other
- Framing nails on shingles: small heads pull through in wind, bright steel rusts and stains, and long points stick through overhangs.
- Roofing nails in framing: too short and thin to carry structural loads.