The Best Roofing Nail Guns On The Market (Compared)

Roofing nail guns are an excellent tool for any professional or homeowner alike. Roofing nailers allow for a faster, more efficient job. To find the best one, we will be reviewing the top roofing nail guns on the market and give an in-depth comparison of each one. This should help both experienced professionals and inexperienced DIYers make the best purchase possible!

The Importance of a Good Roofing Nail Gun

Using a roofing nail gun can offer more precision than a hammer and nail or staple gun. They are high-powered tools that ensure accuracy and speed without damaging the materials or sheathing underneath. Thanks to these, roofers can often get a roof shingled within a day!

If you are a professional or even just an experienced DIYer, roofing nail guns can save you time and money. For the pro’s it means that they have fewer trips up ladders, which is safer for them AND faster because fewer materials will need to be carried up. This, in turn, significantly reduces the costs of labor.

For homeowners who want to go that extra mile with their roofing, a roofing nail gun will allow them to quickly and easily replace old shingles. This means no more worrying about leaks or exposing your home to the elements.

Things to Consider When Purchasing a Roofing Nail Gun

If you are a professional roofer doing large-scale jobs, you will want a roofing nailer that can handle that amount of work. However, there are a few key considerations that can help you in your search for the best possible nail gun.

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Magazine Capacity

If you are working on a larger job, there is nothing worse than getting all the way to the top and realizing your nail gun needs more nails. Ensure that it has adequate capacity, so you don’t have to go back down and refill every few minutes. A decent nail gun will have a magazine capacity of around 120 nails. This will ensure you can get the job done, or the majority of it, without having to stop and refill.

Nail Size

When it comes to roofing nails, size matters; even if it’s just an eighth of an inch, a nail that is 1/8 inch too short won’t hold the shingles in, and you could void warranties or face issues down the road. Getting yourself a nail gun that holds a wide range of sizes is your best bet and gives you the most options. Look for one that can hold between 3/4 inch and 1 3/4 inch nails.

Pneumatic vs. Cordless

Pneumatic roofing nail guns are powered by high-pressure air compressors. It allows you to continue nailing down the row, without fail, and without losing power. Cordless nailers, on the other hand, are bigger and heavier and need to be recharged. But they can sometimes be the best option to avoid tripped-up cords or access hard-to-reach areas. You would, of course, need to have a compressor to use a pneumatic nail gun, but that is pretty standard for professional roofing jobs.

The 4 Best Roofing Nailers on the Market

If you’re on the hunt for a roofing nail gun, here are some of the best you can buy, based on reviews and features.

1. Bostitch Coil Roofing Nailer  

4.7 out of 5 Stars (1,422 Ratings)

Bostitch is a household name when it comes to power tools. This brand has proven time and time again that its products are durable, affordable, and exceed expectations. That’s why we turn to Bostitch for one of the best roofing nailers you can buy. 

The Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nailer is lightweight and durable, making it an ideal tool for roofing and other construction applications. This model features a patented side-loading canister that eliminates the need for nail locking out but provides easy depth of drive adjustments and aggressive performance.

Benefits: 

• Delivers 410 in./lbs. of force at 100 psi
• Drive up to 100 nails per minute
• Five different drive depth settings
• The magazine holds 120 nails
• Holds nails with a 0.120 diameter and 3/4 inch to 1-3/4 inches long
• Zero nail lock-out means it won’t shoot when the magazine is empty

2. Metabo HPT Roofing Nailer

4.6 out of 5 Stars (768 Ratings)

The Metabo NV45AB2 1-3/4-Inch Roofing Nailer is used for various construction work, such as installing asphalt roofing shingles and installing insulation boards. This nailer has been chosen by professionals for decades and stands up to any sized roofing job. In addition, the handy side-load magazine makes large jobs even more effortless. 

Benefits: 

• Ideal for asphalt roofing shingles
• It weighs just 5.5 lbs—super lightweight
• Rubber pads keep it from sliding off the roof
• Carbide tipped push lever that reduces wear
• A convenient side-loading magazine for quick nail replenishment

3. WEN 61783 Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer

4.6 out of 5 Stars (586 Ratings)

The Wen Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer is an official Amazon’s Choice for roofing nailers. Users love its affordability, durability, and ease of use. 

Benefits: 

• Fires 11-gauge nails from 3/4 to 1-3/4 of an inch long
• Pneumatic operating pressure of 70 to 120 PSI
• Kit includes oil, hex wrenches, and blow mold carrying case
• The easy-to-control depth and shingle settings make jobs easier
• The magazine holds 120 nails at a time with a quick release to fix jams quickly

4. Dewalt Pneumatic Coil Roofing Nailer

4.5 out of 5 Stars (162 Ratings)

Another well-known name in construction tools is Dewalt. Their white and black colors are highly noticeable, and this brand has stood the test of time. This pneumatic roofing nailer can drive over ten nails per second and is the lightest of them all at just 4.5 pounds. 

Benefits: 

• Super user-friendly
• Lightweight for ease of use
• High-speed valve technology drives over ten nails per second
• Operating pressure of 70-120 PSI
• Steel skid plates with rubber inserts for added comfort and protection

Check Out Our Blog For More Content!

Sometimes it can be hard to find the best roofing nail gun for your needs. Our list of the best should help you decide which one is right for you and why we recommend these top picks in particular. Check out this blog post for tips on the best roofing nails to pair with your nail gun. We hope that this information will lead you towards making an informed purchase, and for more roofing tips, check out our blog and keep up to date with industry news, trends, and other “best-of” lists.