If you are going to start a shingling project, and you aren’t using a pneumatic nailer. You may have wondered if you can use a regular hammer to lay shingles and what the difference is between a roofing hammer and the typical framing hammer.
What is the difference between a roofing hammer and a claw hammer? Roofing hammers, also known as roofing hatchets, are made for laying shingles. They typically have a blade at one end of the head, which is used for cutting shingles and include a built-in shingle gauge. Framing hammers were designed for carpentry work and only have a curved “claw” which is used for pulling nails.
While you can get by using almost any type of hammer to lay shingles. There are many good reasons why a roofing hammer is much more helpful especially if this is your first roofing project.
Benefits of the Roofing Hammer
There are two main types of roofing hammers. The first is the hatchet style, this style is the older of the two.
What makes it unique is that it has a hatchet type blade on one end of the head and a hammer on the other end of the head. It’s like a hatchet and hammer combined.
The second type is the more advanced modern style. This style includes a blade on one end of the hammerhead similar to the hatchet style, but the main difference between the two is that the blade can be replaceable.
Having a blade on the end of your hammer can be dangerous if you’re not careful. However, the blade is very useful for cutting asphalt shingles especially along the rake edges of the roof.
Some roofing hatchets may not come with the blade on the back, but instead a sharp-pointed end. This type of hatchet is used for punching holes into slate shingles.
Other general features that may be on the roofing hammer is a serrated face. This gives the hammer a better grip on the roofing nails.
The typical weight for the roofing hammer ranges from 16 ounces to 28 ounces, which is a good weight to prevent over-fatigue of your hand.
The last and one of the most important features on the roofing hammer is the shingle gauge.
The shingle gauge is typically built into the side of the hammerhead. This gauge is very useful especially if you have never installed shingles before.
The gauge allows you to quickly and accurately space the shingles the correct distance from top to bottom.
The gauge can also be used to space the shingles from side to side. As part of the shingle pattern, you must stager each shingle, so the ends don’t line up. This staggering distance can easily be done with the shingle gauge.
One of my favorite roofing hammers that I use almost every day includes a replaceable shingle gauge, a replaceable end blade, and a serrated face. It’s made by AJC, if you are interested in the one I use you can check it out here.
Click here to check out my top 6 best roofing hammers.
They also make another type that I am planning on trying out in the near future which includes a magnet in the head and a nail puller which should allow you to shingle faster. That one can be found here.
Pneumatic Nailer vs Hand Nailing
Air compressed nailers or pneumatic nailers are other options for laying shingles.
Some roofing contractors love using pneumatic nailers because it’s faster than hand nailing. Others contradict by stating that pneumatic nailers are easier to make mistakes with like missing the nail line on the shingles.
Those that prefer hand nailing may claim that it is better because they can feel when the nail has been set properly in the wood and they can ensure that the nail is properly fitted into the nail line.
You can’t feel the nails with a pneumatic nailer. Another downside to pneumatic nailers is that they must be adjusted so they don’t overdrive or underdrive the nails.
Overdriven nails can be an issue even if you have properly adjusted the pneumatic nailer because of inconsistencies in the roof.
If the roof was built with sheathing boards then the gaps between the boards will create soft spots where the pneumatic nailer can overdrive the nails.
This can also happen if the nail gun hits any crack or previous nail holes.
With hand nailing, you can fill the soft spots when you set the nail, so you do not overdrive the nails.
Nails that haven’t been properly set may not hold the shingles secure and could result in a leaky roof.
I personally prefer hand nailing because not only can I feel for the soft spots, but also because I don’t like having to deal with the air hoses. It can be a hassle to have to untangle your air hose and safety ropes. In retrospect, it’s just another chord that someone could accidentally trip on.
Ultimately both methods are approved by manufacturers. The most important thing comes down to where the nails are placed.
Each shingle has an area called the nail line which is the proper area to install nails. The nail line is about 0.5″ inches wide. The manufacturer usually marks the area by a painted line or a nail strip.
Each of the 4 to 6 nails per shingle should be inserted on the nail line and be flush to the surface.
If the homeowner ever makes a warranty claim on the shingles, the manufacturer will check to make sure the shingles have been properly installed with all the nails on the nail line. Any warranties could be voided if the shingles were carelessly installed.
Always check your manufactures recommendations before you start shingling.
Claw Hammer vs Framing Hammer
Framing hammers are a special type of claw hammers. Claw hammers are made for general carpentry use. The curved claw is used for ripping out nails while the straight claw is used for tearing up boards. Framing hammers typically have a straight claw.
Framing hammers are heavier than claw hammers and have a longer handle. This makes it easier to drive long heavy duty nails, that are used for framing.
Claw hammers weigh anywhere from 16 ounces to 25 ounces. While framing hammers weigh anywhere from 20 ounces to 32 ounces.
Using a framing hammer would be a bit of an overkill for shingling. Because the roofing nails aren’t very big, you don’t need the extra power that you get from a framing hammer. The heavyweight will cause your hand to fatigue faster. However, if it’s your only option you could get away with it.
Related Questions
Which roofing hatchet/hammer is best? A good roofing hatchet/hammer has a blade in the back, a waffled face, a shingle gauge, and is lightweight. The best roofing hammer is the MWT-005-MH 17oz Magnet Roofing Hatchet made by AJC. This can be bought here. You can also purchase replaceable blades from them by clicking here.
Do you nail or staple shingles? Shingles should be nailed using 1-inch to 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails and 4 to 6 nails per shingle. Staples are not effective for holding down shingles and may cause leaks. Staples could be used to hold down underlayment but not shingles, especially in areas of high wind.
Can you use screws on shingles? Most manufacturers recommend using 1-inch to 1 1/4 inch galvanized roofing nails. Shingles typically require 4 to 6 nails per shingle or 348 – 522 nails per square. Screws would not be the best method for installing shingles because it would take a lot more time to install.
