Nails Vs. Staples for Roof Sheathing

Application Ease

• If you intend to hammer in nails one at a time, using staples certainly will prove easier because you will have to expend substantial effort to install the sheathing in this manner. If, however, you plan to use an air-powered nail gun, you likely will find your nail installation just as effortless as staple installation.

Cost

• Neither nails nor staples will cost you much when compared with the cost of other roofing materials. While these components will not set you back much, the tools necessary to drive nails into your roof or shoot staples into the wood could prove expensive. For the cheapest option, driving nails in with a standard hammer will suit your needs. If, however, you intend to use a nail gun or staple gun, you will have to invest in purchasing or renting these tools, both of which cost comparable amounts, depending upon the brands you select.

Storm Resistance

• In a test performed by the International Hurricane Research Center, staples were found to outperform nails when it comes to resisting high, roof-damaging winds. Although both performed tolerably well, if you live in an area prone to bad weather, the improved performance of staples makes them a better choice.

Leak Avoidance

• When attaching roof sheathing with nails, installers must exercise caution to avoid splitting the boards that cover the roof. If a board is split, the roof has a greater chance of leaking. Because staples are unlikely to split a roof board, they prove a slightly preferable option.

Safety

• Any time you venture onto the roof, you run the risk of falling. Whether you're using nails or staples, you should exercise extreme caution when installing your sheathing. If you elect to use a hammer and drive in nails, you should kneel on the roof instead of doing so from a standing position because you are more likely to lose your footing if you try to expend this effort while standing. When using power nail drivers or staple guns, you should keep the end of the device from which the nail or staple is expelled pointed away from you. If you have an accident with this power tool, you run a greater risk of suffering a fall.