Roofing nails help hold all the roofing materials altogether. Without them, it would be impossible to secure shingles, sheathings, and roof shingles. If you ever wondered how long it takes for a roofing nail to rust, we’ve got you covered! Most roofing nails could last a lifetime, while some roofing nails may have 20-50 years of lifespan before it completely rusts out. However, this entirely depends on the type of nail being used. There are many roofing nail types to choose from, each with its contrastive characteristics, durability, and sizes. If you want to know more about the kinds of roofing nails and how long it takes for them to rust, read further and find out!
Types Of Roofing Nails
It is essential to know the types of roofing nails to understand when they can be applied and how they will match other roofing materials. Let’s delve into the five different types of roofing nails, their distinct characteristics, and how long they take to rust.
Aluminum Roofing Nails
Made out of high-tensile aluminum alloy for bend resistance, its bright silvery color that’s usually used for metal roofs and shingles. These nails resist corrosion and bending, and provide proper hanging, while also guaranteeing easy driving. They can last a lifetime or more or less than 10 to 20 years but are recommended for environments that are open to chemicals and salt like coastal areas.
Galvanized Roofing Nails
This roofing nail is a steel nail coated with zinc. It’s commonly used in asphalt shingles and is known to last for a lifetime. Resilient to rust, professionals opt for this as a standard choice, normally in one of two varieties: Hot-Dipped Galvanized and Electro-Galvanized. Hot-Dipped are nails dipped into a molten pool of zinc and are considered one of the most effective methods of galvanization. Electro-Galvanized grants the same zinc coating but is processed differently using an electrical current solution that attaches zinc ions to the nail’s base metal.
Copper Roofing Nails
Copper nails are made of copper wires from different diameters. This is one of the most expensive roofing nails of all types since it is completely rust-proof and guaranteed high quality. Copper nails are best used for lifetime roofing products such as clay, slate, tile, and copper roofing. Copper nails are perfect for roofing nail finishes and ensure the highest quality and versatility in all sorts of house projects.
Stainless Steel Roofing Nails
Stainless steel roofing nails are made up of alloy steel, chromium, and nickel forged together to create a metal that is resistant to corrosion. Additionally, it can endure all forms of mineral reactions from the wood and possible lead in the rainwater. This is best applied on wooden shingles and is most highly recommended for indoor use, though some grains can also be used outdoors. This type can also last a lifetime and is best for 20-30 years.
Button Cap Nails
Button cap nails are made up of steel shank and a large polyethylene cap that helps prevent leaks on the roof. It is usually applied to the roofing felt. Its material is made of high carbon steel, and its plastic round head can vary in different colors. This type can also last for 10-20 years. However, the plastic cap may wear out for a year, depending on the type of environment it’s exposed to.
What Factors To Consider When Choosing Roofing Nails?
Roofing nails, no matter how small, are one of the most paramount materials to complete your roof because they play a significant role in establishing a solid application. It is imperative to select a roofing nail that will grant you long-lasting durability. On the verge of choosing what roofing nails to get, here are some of the factors you need to consider:
- The Nail Material you need to get is based on what roofing materials you’ll have and what environment you’re living in.
- The Nail Shape refers to textures and materials that should match the shank of your nails.
- And Nail Size relates to the standard length of roofing nails that will go with your roof structure and roofing materials.
Ready to see what roofing nails are right for your Columbia home? Contact the experts at Certified Roofing today! Proudly serving the cities of Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Clarksville, Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Frederick, Fulton, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Green Valley, Highland, Hunt Valley, Hyattsville, Kensington, Laurel, Lutherville, Montgomery Village, North Laurel, Olney, Owings Mills, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Timonium, Towson, Wheaton, Woodstock, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and all surrounding areas.
