Specialized equipment such as hatchets and roofing hammers are used by residential roofers to drive nails into and cut shingles. Their special features, including magnetized faces to assist you in picking up wayward nails and even gauges to help you position shingles with the proper exposure, make this work more efficient.
Although hammers have long been the preferred equipment for roofers, pneumatic nail guns are a new way to drive nails. When the roofer presses the trigger, these drive nails automatically, applying pressure to precisely drive the nail down. Even with the availability of these advanced tools, some roofers still opt to utilize a roofing hammer.
Why?
Shingle hammers are by no means a relic; in fact, they continue to have benefits over nail guns. In recent years, hammer makers have developed ways to enhance their unique qualities. This post will explain how to use roofing hammers and go over their benefits and drawbacks.
Additionally, we will contrast nail guns with roofing hammers so you may decide which is more comfortable for you to use. Because shingle function depends so heavily on proper nailing, roofers must choose their nailing instrument carefully. Water can enter the roof from overdriven nails or nails whose heads have broken through the shingle. In the same manner, underdriven nails support the shingle above. As a result, the shingle becomes less likely to seal well and may blow off the roof.
Furthermore, if a nail is positioned incorrectly on a shingle, it may not bind the shingle to the roof at all, allowing it to slide off before the sun’s heat can activate its adhesive. A roof with missing shingles and a higher chance of leakage can be distinguished from one with perfect nailing.
Key Parts of a Roofing Hammer
Before you can appreciate the benefits of roofing hammers, you must grasp how they differ from other nail-driving instruments like framing hammers. Each component of a shingle hammer has been specifically engineered to function with asphalt shingles.
Face: The part of a hammer that comes into touch with a nail is called the face. They could also have a texture akin to waffles, known as a checkered or milled face. In order to keep the roofer from hammer bouncing or slipping off nails during impact, this texture is designed to cling nails.
Head: A hammer’s head is its uppermost surface. To aid the roofer in spacing the shingles correctly, roofing hammers may feature projections, notches, or holes in their heads. We refer to this distance as “shingle exposure.”
Claw: A hammer’s claw is its rear end. This end of the hammer can be used to lift nails on other types. On roofing hammers, however, this end is also intended to assist roofers in lifting shingles. Some roofing hammers have a pointy claw that can be used to cut shingles to the proper size. For the same reason, the edges of other roofing hatchets are present.
Handle: The tool’s base houses the handle. Rubber may be used to sheath it for traction. It could be constructed out of tubular steel, solid steel, fiberglass, or hickory. It is possible to lessen the force of the hammer stroke on your hand by using alternative materials. As a result, they may be simpler to utilize for extended periods of time. Additionally, handles vary in length. In order to make handling heavier hammers more comfortable, their handles will typically be shorter; however, you should always select a handle length that is suitable for you.
Features of a Roof Hammer
Hammers designed for roofing can perform jobs that conventional hammers cannot. Specifically, a roofing hammer is made to enable the roofer to use one instrument to cut, lay, and nail shingles. After using the claw to cut the shingle, the roofer uses the gauge to place it on the head. Actually, to assist roofers in achieving the proper shingle exposure, some roofing hammers come equipped with an adjustable gauge on the head. The magnetized face of the hammer aids the roofer in hitting the nail after the shingle is installed.
These are the standard characteristics of a magnetic head roofing hammer, however modern models offer even more functions. Among these novelties are:
Nail holders: A magnetic nail holder is integrated into certain roofing hammers, such the Picard’s Carpenter’s roofing hammer. When you’re trying to nail in a unique location that is nearly out of your grasp, this stabilizes the nail for you.
Impact reducers: A lot of contemporary hammers are constructed with unique materials to lessen vibration and shield your hands from the impact of pounding. Titanium is used in Stiletto’s TiBone TBII-15 hammer for this function.
Tools for removing shingles: New claw designs on other roofing hammers facilitate the removal of shingles. The Cole-Bar hammer really features an extending claw that may be used as a pry bar.
Metric gauges: Roofers installing metric shingles would want to use a roofing hammer with a larger gauge because these shingles have wider exposures. Gauges that are compatible with shingle exposures of at least 5 and 5/8 inches are included with AJC’s metric adjustable roofing hatchets.
Old Hatches and Hammers for Roofing
Some collectors and roofing experts seek antique roofing hammers. These are frequently made of metals that were more common in the past, such as brass and bronze, and feature square heads. Be careful if you find an old hammer; these instruments are not suitable for roofing installation.
How to Use a Hammer for Roofing
You may utilize all of the unique qualities of a roofing hammer by following this simple guide on how to use one:
Step 1: Use the hammer’s claw to cut the shingle to the desired size. Draw a chalk line where you want to cut in the shingle using a straight edge as a guide. To score the shingle, use the hammer’s claw.
Step 2: The shingle will not be completely broken through by the hammer. Bend the shingle along the line until it pops apart to complete the cut. This might not be sufficient if you’re using laminate shingles; in that case, you’ll need to use a roofer’s hook blade knife.
Step 3: To assist you set the shingle, use the shingle guide located on the hammer’s head. You can hook the hammer onto the exposed edge of the just laid shingle, provided that you have set the hatchet’s gauge to the proper exposure. Next, place the lower edge of your shingle onto the face of the hammer.
Step 4: Nail into the loose shingle, in the nailing zone, or along the nail line. For precise information on how many nails to use, always refer to the application instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Step 5: Make sure your nails are neither over- or under-driven.
When performing maintenance or replacing the roof and need to remove outdated or damaged shingles, you can also use a shingle hatchet. Leverage can be used to pry up shingles by sliding the hammer’s claw beneath them. Nonetheless, the majority of skilled roofers will employ a wonder bar—a narrow crowbar—for this function. Another choice is the Cole-Bar hammer, which features an extending claw that may be used as a crowbar.
Nail Gun vs. Roofing Hammer
It is approved by every roofing manufacturer that nail guns or hammers be used when installing their shingles. It is therefore up to the professional roofer to decide between the two tools. Each instrument has benefits and drawbacks that you should take into account.
Roofing Hammers Advantages
Sensory feedback: When a roofing hammer is used, you can feel the impact of the nail on the wood decking of the roof with your hands. This enables you to confirm that the nail is firmly in place. This kind of tactile input is not provided by a roofing gun.
Nail placement: Although a nail gun can achieve the same results, an experienced roofer can be extremely accurate with a hatchet to achieve the ideal nail placement and depth. Over-driven nails, which are frequently caused by poorly set nail guns, can be avoided by hand nailing.
Placement of shingles: Roofing hammers’ gauges may make it simpler to obtain the proper shingle exposure, which is essential for installing the roof. More rarely, but still available, are nail guns equipped with roofing gauges.
Low maintenance: A magnetic shingle hatchet requires no maintenance, possibly with the exception of corrosion prevention, unlike a nail gun.
Advantage in marketing: As customers realize that proper nail placement determines the lifespan and limited warranty of their roof, roofing hammers are experiencing a slight resurgence, particularly in upscale markets and high-wind regions. You might be able to draw clients who are searching for high-quality work if you can install your roofs with just hammers by mentioning this in your marketing.
Roofing Hammers Disadvantages
Time: Applying shingles using a hammer will take longer than using a nail gun, despite the opinions of seasoned hand nailers. Additionally, hammers wear out your arm, which can cause you to move more slowly. This may result in higher labor expenses and longer turnaround times for each task.
Teaching: It will take more time to teach new roofers how to use a roofing hammer. If they were to execute the identical task with a nail gun in two days, it might take them a month or two to become accurate and self-assured with a hammer. However, some contend otherwise. Given its potency, a nail gun may be employed for more significant blunders, although most individuals have used hammers previously.
Weight: There are variations in the weight of roofing hammers. The heaviest hammers weigh 22 and 28 ounces, respectively, and move the nail swiftly but wear out your arm. The lightest hammers, weighing 14 and 16 ounces, require more force to drive the nail. The weight that is ideal for you is something only you can determine.
Nail Guns Advantages
Speed: Compared to hammers, nail guns are quicker and do not strain your arm as much. Nail guns could assist you in meeting your goal of minimizing installation expenses for your clients.
Utility knives: You can cut your shingles using a utility knife if you don’t want to use a roofing hammer. Cutting shingles at the beginning and end of rows, as well as hip and ridge shingles, will all require cutting, thus cutting quickly will be crucial. Because it can cut through the shingle completely, a utility knife is faster than most hammers’ claws. However, you can always combine a hammer with a utility knife.
Consistency: When using nail guns instead of roofing hammers, novice roofers can drive nails more reliably and quickly acquire this skill. However, novice roofers might not know to modify their nail gun for regions (such as over trusses) with thicker decking, which could lead to uneven nail depth.
Nail Guns Disadvantages
Maintenance: Compared to hammers, nail guns are more complex tools that need maintenance and maybe repair.
Error risk: The nail is driven with pressure using nail guns. As the manufacturer states, you will need to modify the gun’s compressor according to the various temperatures. If you neglect to do this, though, you can drive your nails too hard or too little. Actually, a nail gun can do a blow-through, in which case the nail head tears through the shingle completely. Additionally, you need to make sure that the nail gun is exactly 90 degrees against the roof. Given all of these factors, it should come as no surprise that using nail guns might result in shingle application errors.
Weight: Because they can handle more nails, nail guns tend to be larger and heavier than other versions. They can be difficult to move across a rooftop and exhausting to use due to their weight.
The Importance of Proper Nailing
The most important factors are ultimately the roofer’s timing and precision, therefore the optimum tool for a given roofer is the one that allows him to drive nails with the greatest efficiency and accuracy possible. However, neither roofers nor homeowners should automatically write off roofing hammers as outdated equipment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the choice between roofing hammers and nail guns largely depends on the roofer’s experience, preference, and the specific demands of the job. Roofing hammers offer precision, tactile feedback, and simplicity, making them a valuable tool for careful, high-quality installations. On the other hand, nail guns provide speed and efficiency, which can significantly reduce labor time and costs. Both tools have their advantages and disadvantages, but proper nailing is crucial for the longevity and performance of any roof. Whether using a hammer or nail gun, ensuring correct nail placement and depth is key to a durable, leak-free roof.
FAQs: Roofing Hammer Guide
1. How does a roofing hammer differ from a regular hammer?
A roofing hammer includes specialized features like a magnetic face for picking up nails, a shingle guide for proper placement, and a claw designed for cutting and lifting shingles, which set it apart from a standard hammer.
2. Why do some roofers prefer roofing hammers over nail guns?
Some roofers prefer hammers because they offer better control, precise nail placement, and tactile feedback, allowing them to ensure each nail is driven correctly.
3. How do I choose the right roofing hammer for my needs?
Choose a roofing hammer by considering its weight, handle material, and special features like impact reducers or a magnetic nail holder to find one that fits your comfort and project needs.
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a roofing hammer?
Using a roofing hammer provides precision and control, but it’s slower and requires more physical effort than a nail gun. However, hammers don’t need the maintenance that nail guns require.
5. How do I properly use a roofing hammer to install shingles?
To use a roofing hammer, cut the shingle with the claw, set the shingle using the guide on the hammer’s head, and drive the nails to the correct depth for a secure installation.
