We have picked Bostitch RN46 coil roofing nailer as the top roofing nailer as it offers excellent performance and delivers professional results. The tool is lightweight and well-balanced to ensure easy operation and is easy to fill to save you time. It is durable, has a high-capacity magazine and has some features to promote safety.
Choosing the right roofing nailer for your project can be a confusing and time-consuming exercise. However, if you are going to do quality work, it is important that you have the best roofing nail gun by your side.
With the different brands and options available in the market, you will have to invest time and effort to identify the tool that will meet your needs.
As such, you will have to consider the nature and size of your project, the features of the tool, price, model as well as how it feels in your hands.
We have put together a list of the top roofing nailers to make your work easier when shopping around for the best tools.
Table of Contents
What To Look For In A Roofing Nailer
Choosing the right roofing nailer can be a daunting task. Here are some factors you should keep in mind in order to make the right purchase decision.
Balance And Weight
A good roofing nailer should not only have good weight distribution but also balance well. These two features will ensure that the tool feels lighter than it is and make siding much easier.
Before spending money on a roofing nailer, you should hold and get a feel of it to ensure it makes for a well-balanced system that you can work with for extended periods of time.
Grip
It is important to ensure that the roofing nailer you buy provides a firm and comfortable grip. You could consider tools with ergonomic rubber-coated handles so that you suffer less strain when you have the tool in hand all day.
Durability
Just as with any other product, the right roofing nailer should be durable. Tools that can withstand the elements, as well as the effects of wear and tear, will serve you for a considerable period of time. In short, you will get value for your money.
Nail Size Compatibility
The tools you buy should allow you to carry out a wide range of projects conveniently. The top roofing nailer is compatible with different nail sizes, saving you time when carrying out roofing projects.
Nailing Speed
The nailing speed refers to the number of times that the gun can fire and reload in a given period of time. While this information may be difficult to measure, it is noticeable when comparing different guns, with some tools being faster and feeling more powerful.
Nail Depth
Most of the nail guns in the market have mechanisms that allow you to set the depth of drive. This feature is important because the pressure that works for one gun could cause another to under or overdrive nails.
Since this might result in major problems, the tool should let you adjust the depth of drive.
Firing Modes
There are two main trigger mechanisms used in pneumatic nailers: contact-trip and sequential-trip modes.
With contact trip, nails can be discharged if the nose of the gun comes into contact with the surface element or a previously discharged nail.
Sequential-trip, on the other hand, requires the nose of the gun to be depressed before the trigger is pulled to fire the nail. The sequential mode is generally considered to offer a safety advantage.
Magazine Layout And Capacity
There are two main types of magazines when it comes to roofing nailers: coil and stick magazines. Coil magazines have been found to jam less and offer a higher nail capacity.
It is important to consider a magazine that ensures high performance and provides a large enough capacity to let you operate the tool longer.
Power Source
Choosing the right roofing nailer will require that you decide on the power source that will meet your needs. There are three different nail gun power sources: pneumatic, battery-powered, and fuel-driven.
While pneumatic nail guns are the most powerful, the other two types offer more mobility. Fuel-driven nail guns are suitable for heavy-duty jobs such as driving nails into hard surfaces and materials.
To help you find the top roofing nailer, we have put together this list based on reviews and ratings from both buyers and professionals.
From the numerous brands and models that we considered, we narrowed down to these five roofing nailers after looking at their performance, durability, ease of use, and versatility.
5 Best Roofing Nailer Reviews
Here’s a list of the best roofing nailers on the market today:
Best Overall
1. BOSTITCH Coil Roofing Nailer
The Bostitch RN46 roofing nailer is a great choice if you are looking to achieve quality and professional results at a great price.
The tool has a host of features, making it perfect for roofing, fiber cement, and insulation board.
One of the special things about this tool is that it uses contact tip automatic firing, allowing you to handle large jobs. It also has a lockout mechanism that prevents dry firing when the magazine is empty.
The adjustable depth control lets you quickly adjust the material depth and compactness. The side-load canister makes it easy to load in order to save you time, while the lightweight and well-balanced designed promotes comfortable handling when working for extended periods of time.
The adjustable shingle lets you work on a row of shingles quickly and cover a large area, and the aluminum construction and carbide tips ensure durability. The outstanding trigger apparatus needs little strength to press and fire nails.
Lastly, the magazine wear guards offer protection from damage by abrasive surfaces, and the high-capacity magazine eliminates downtime.
Some of the issues we did not like about this nailer include the touchy nose that requires you to be extra careful to prevent double firing. The nailer does not come with a case, and the trigger may also need a little adjustment. However, these are minor disadvantages that a professional can handle.
Pros:
- Great performance and professional results
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Easy to refill
- Zero nail lockout feature to prevent dry firing
Cons:
- Does not come with hose connector
- Does not come with a case
- Jams occasionally
Best Budget
2. WEN 61782 Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer
This is an inexpensive roofing nail gun for those who have a lot of roof to shingle, need to do some repair work or want to replace a small section of their roof.
The nailer is also designed for siding, asphalt shingling, fiber cement roofing, and waterproof tar paper. The WEN 61782 roofing nailer also costs much less in terms of buying or renting for the duration of the job.
At the price at which it comes, this nailer has a number of impressive characteristics. The 120 nail magazine capacity ensures it can go a long time without being reloaded, while the durable construction promotes long-lasting performance.
The quick-release feature fires more nails to promote speedy completion of your project. Some of the other advantages include a rubber grip handle that makes it comfortable to use and an adjustable shingle guide for quick shingle spacing. Unlike the higher-end models, this WEN nailer has a hard plastic case included.
While it is cheaper than most of the other options, this nailer has a number of downsides. It can only be used for some basic work or as a backup in the event that the front line nailer goes down. It is also heavier than it appears, features a delicate design and more difficult to load.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Large magazine capacity
- Accommodates a variety of nail sizes
- Hard plastic case included
Cons:
- Only suitable for basic jobs
- Heavier than other roofing nailers
- Jams occasionally
Best Pneumatic Roofing Nailer
3. WEN 61783 Pneumatic Nail Gun
There are many reasons why this is one of the most popular roofing nailers. The versatile tool is designed for a wide range of applications including insulation boards, nail shingles, fiber cement roofing, waterproof tar paper, vinyl siding, and more.
The up to 430-inch-pounds of force that this powerful nailer delivers at 100 PSI operating pressure keeps siding in place. Its magazine can hold up to 120 nails at a time, reducing the need to refill every so often.
The magazine also allows for different nail sizes so that you can carry out different projects. It is easy to adjust the depth of fired nails, while the quick-release compartment on the side of the magazine lets you complete projects in good time.
The adjustable shingle guide promotes quick and easy spacing of shingles, while the rubber grip handle ensures enhanced comfort and minimizes fatigue during long jobs. The tool comes in a carry case to ensure easy transportation and convenient storage.
There are certain things we did not like about this WEN nailer. The tool shoots blanks and jams occasionally, issues that can be frustrating for beginners. This nailer may also need repairs from time to time as some of the parts malfunction after some period of use.
Pros:
- Adjustable shingle guide makes the job easier
- The magazine has a large nail capacity
- Pneumatic operating pressure ensures quality work
- Includes a carrying case
Cons:
- Shoots blanks
- Jams occasionally
- May require frequent repairs
Best Coil Roofing Nailer
4. Hitachi NV45AB2 Coil Roofing Nailer
This Hitachi roofing nailer is the answer to all your roofing needs. The tool is great for a variety of construction projects such as the installation of insulation boards and asphalt roofing shingles.
The nailer helps you power through job after job for an extended period of time, delivering consistently accurate results.
The roofing nailer has several features that will help you during your projects. The side-loading magazine allows for quick reloads and has a high capacity to reduce the frequency of refilling, while the lightweight and well-balanced design promotes easy maneuverability.
A quick-driving feature allows the tool to shoot every time the nose touches the surface, providing efficiency when nailing large areas. This nailer is durable, a factor that ensures it can stand up to the elements even in the most extreme roofing environments.
A non-slip rubber grip provides comfort and control to facilitate one-handed operation and make it a suitable tool for a variety of applications. These include woodwork, drilling, metalwork, and concrete, among others.
For all the advantages that the roofing nailer offers, it has some downsides. In case you need to switch to sequential mode, you will have to buy an additional trigger. The tool is more expensive compared to other nailers in the same category and has some plastic parts that compromise durability.
Pros:
- Rubber grip promotes comfort
- Rapid-fire automatic function lets you get the job done fast
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- High-capacity magazine
- Fast reload
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive
- Does not come with a case
- Features some plastic parts
Runner-Up (Coil Roofing Nailer)
5. DEWALT DW45RN Pneumatic
This is a great tool when you want to do large projects with speed. The advanced technology and solid performance ensure that your projects meet the standards you desire.
This tool is also easy to use, making it great for those with limited skills and experience.
There is a lot to like about this Dewalt roofing nailer. One of the most important is the high-quality performance that the tool delivers as well as the adjustable depth of drive that gives more control over the project. There is also a shingle guide that helps with shingle spacing and engine seals that ensure durability.
The fact that it is pneumatic means that there are an air horse and an air compressor. Unlike in a cordless roofing nail gun, these two features promote reliability. It is also lightweight and has its knobs caked with an elastomer to ensure a comfortable grip.
A side-loaded container opens easily to ensure relaxed refilling and simple functioning allows almost anyone to use it. Generally, this roofing nailer has decent value for money for both professionals and newbies.
One of the things we did not like about this nailer is that it does not have a dry fire lockout feature. This means that you cannot prevent it from firing inadvertently.
Pros:
- Lightweight design for easy maneuverability
- Easy to use
- Excellent performance
- Easy refilling and simple functioning
- Decent value for cash
Cons:
- Does not have a dry fire lockout feature
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In order to provide you with additional guidance, we have provided answers to some of the questions commonly asked by those looking to buy roofing nailers tools.
Why You Need A Top-Quality Roofing Nailer
The main benefits of buying a top-quality roofing nailer are that it delivers the performance and accuracy required to ensure high-quality roofing and woodworking projects. Such a tool will also allow you to work for a long time and help increase your speed while ensuring safety while driving nails into materials.
Can You Use A Roofing Nailer For Fencing?
Generally, the principle of all nailers is the same. However, the actual details and the mechanisms through which they work are different. It follows that roofing nailers are designed to shoot only roofing nails. Unless you want to use roofing nails for your fence project, a roofing nailer will not work well when it comes to fencing.
Can A Roofing Nailer Be Used For Framing?
There are limitations when it comes to using a roofing nailer for framing. This is because a roofing nailer takes only roofing nails. Instead of using a roofing nailer for framing, you are better off using a framing nailer.
What Kind Of Roofing Nails Should I Use?
There are a lot of different roofing nails to choose from. While aluminum nails are ideal for shingles and metal roofs, they are not recommended for areas where they are exposed to salt or chemicals. Here, you should consider going for stainless steel or copper roofing nails. The standard length of roofing nails is between 1 and 2 inches.
Where To Buy A Roofing Nailer
When looking to buy a roofing nailer, you should ensure the place you buy from offers quality tools at affordable prices. In a world where online retailers are gaining acceptance and popularity, Amazon stocks a wide range of products that you can choose from.
Conclusion
In this article, we have looked at what makes a good roofing nailer and compiled a list of some of the tools you can consider for your project.
While it can be difficult to select the best roofing nailer, you should think about the nature of your project, your level of expertise, the type of nails you intend to use and the results you expect.
We hope that this will help you find the right tool that offers you value for money.
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