Roofing Nails for a Roof

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`nR = f( L , S ,"4/12", 12 ) `

Enter a value for all fields

The Roofing Nails for a Gabled Roof calculator computes the number of roofing nails needed for a common gabled roof based on roof dimensions and wind conditions.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

(L) Ridge Length
(S) Span of Roof
(oH) Overhang
(P) Pitch of Roof

Roofing Nails (nR): The calculator returns the number of roofing nails needed for normal wind conditions and for high wind conditions, and the weight of the nails assuming a 1-1/4" smooth shank roofing nail.

The Math / Science

The calculator computes the surface area of the roof. Then it determines the number of shingle squares required to cover the roof in shingles. It then uses the number of squares to compute the number of nails based on 348 nails per square in normal wind areas and 522 nails per square in high wind areas. The difference is in the number of nails used for each shingle. In the diagram of shingles, you can see extra nails below the sealant strip for high wind areas.

Roofing Nails are used to attach shingles to sheathing on a roof. There are two densities used for the number of nails needed per shingle. This can be seen in the shingle diagram to the right. One image shows four nails per shingle above the tab cuts. This is for normal wind conditions. The second image shows six nails per single with a double nail above the two central tab cuts. This is for high wind conditions on places like on the edge of bodies of water or other exposed places with no wind breaks. High winds are experienced in areas with little cover from wind breaks. Such areas include deserts, prairies, mountain tops and areas adjacent to large bodies of water. High winds are also associated with areas prone to hurricanes.

Note that for both normal and high wind applications, the roofing nails go just below the sealant strip.

Roofing nails are sold by weight in many places. The weight of the nails is based on a 5lb box of 1-1/4" smooth shank nails having 978 nails. That's 0.0818 ounces per nail.