22 Best Roofing Tools and Product Reviews (2022 Update)

If you’re a professional roofer, you’ll need to make sure you have effective tools to get the job done right. If you’re looking for more help than the video above provides, keep reading to learn more about the top roofing tools available.

Top Roofing Tools By Category

Since there are numerous types of roofing tools such as ladders, footwear, hammers, etc. We’ll break the top tools down by category.

Best Roofing Ladders

1. PiViT Ladder Tool

Tool number one, the PiViT Ladder Tool is one of the best ladder tools I’ve ever seen for leveling and stabilizing. I use it all the time so it’s fair to say that if you don’t have this one, you’re just missing out. This is a superb safety tool and it has like 25 uses. You can buy it on Amazon, all the tools I’m going to talk about I will put the links below where you can buy them. This is number one of all tools I’ve ever used.

2. Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder

Tool number two, the extend and climb telescopic ladder. This is the tallest ladder available in the market in the telescoping ladder world. In the roofing world it’s very crucial to have the tallest ladder possible. When you put your ladder against your gutter that extra foot sometimes might save your life. You want at least three feet extension and if you have one and a half stories you’re going to be maxing out. I have used them for six years now in the business, all my employees have been and to be honest with you I don’t see anybody on the market who can touch them by quality by price by value. Buy them on Amazon at link below.

3. Ladder Stabilizer Guard Protector

Tool number three, gutter guard protection from the ladder. There are a few options, it’s a very useful tool because as a contractor we get a lot of complaints about putting the ladder against the gutter. Are you going to scratch the gutter? So, some roofers use a piece of plastic or a sponge, some roofers use two by fours. This tool is great during the inspection, you’re not going to have time to go up and put 2×4’s or 2×6’s on. One of the best roofing products we’ve reviewed. Go check it out. Again, the link is below. So, make sure you don’t smash or scratch gutters with your ladder, a must-have tool.

Best Roofing Boots / Shoes

All the tools for roofing are important, but your boots and shoes are extremely important not only for safety, but for comfort as well. Shoes that aren’t comfortable or are too loose or too tight can make a job much more difficult than it needs to be. For that reason, we always recommend trying on shoes before purchasing, or understanding that online purchases may need to be returned. If you’re buying online, purchase a couple of different sizes, as the sizing will vary from brand to brand.

4. Thorogood American Heritage

These boots are perfect for roofing. With waterproof leather and excellent traction, as well as a safety toe, this boot provides both durability and safety while on the job. It is a tad expensive, and there have been some minor complaints about the stitching, but this is a boot that will last. Not to mention, it looks pretty damn good too.

5. Merrell Moab Ventilator 2

While traditionally considered a hiking shoe, this shoe from Merrell is great for roofing too. It’s got a Vibram outsole, deep lugs, and even comes with an odor-resistant lining. While you do have to upgrade and pay more for waterproof models and the shoe is fairly heavy, it’s a great option for those that don’t want a boot because they prefer the ankle freedom a shoe provides.

6. Red Wing Heritage Moc

Red Wing produces some of the highest quality boots in the country. You’d be hard-pressed to find anything more durable and of higher-quality elsewhere. They can be a little spendy for some, but are well worth the investment and will last you a long time. Some of the specs include 100% leather, a platform sole, and a leather insole.

7. Nike Metcon 5 Crossfit Shoe

This is the best shoe for roofers, and I have put a link below so check them out. Simply the best roofing shoe I have ever purchased in my life is the Nike Metcon five. It’s a CrossFit training shoe, it’s almost impossible to kill, I’m doing 150-pound deadlifts in them and jumping around. They’re not slippery on the roofs, I mean the technology is amazing. I have yet to ruin one, and they feel amazingly comfortable.

Best Hammers For Roofing

Every roofer has their favorite trusty hammer. It’s the tool they swear by and will never leave home without, and a job without it just doesn’t feel right. If you’re looking to find your new favorite hammer, we recommended looking into the following top options.

8. AJC Hatchet MWT-005-MH Magnet Roofing Hatchet

Smashing your thumb with your hammer is a great way to ruin your day. This hammer has a magnetic head, which means you’ll smash your thumb less and speed up your nails. With a serrated fate for better grip on nails and a quality nail puller, this hammer is an affordable, high-quality option. Not to mention, it has an adjustable shingle gauge and replaceable back blade.

9. AJC Adjustable Hatchet

This adjustable hatchet has a replaceable back blade, as well as an adjustable shingle gauge. In addition to a serrated face, this hammer is really cheap. However, it still packs a powerful punch and ensures that your roofing jobs go smoothly every time. At 19 oz., it’s not the lightest hammer, but it certainly isn’t the heaviest either.

10. Lathe Aze Fiberglass Hammer

With a retro hatchet blade, this fiberglass hammer from Stiletto Tool Company is a top-quality roofing tool. It has roughly ten times less recoiling shock than the average hammer, and the 13-inch handle with a rubber-coated grip makes handling it a cinch. While the fiberglass handle is less durable than steel, it is a bit more susceptible to breaking. That being said, it’s a hammer that receives rave reviews and will be your favorite piece of equipment for years to come.

Top Roofing Gloves

When it comes to roofing tools, the gloves can make or break a project. If you’ve ever forgotten your go-to gloves and have had to wear someone else’s backup, you know just how important it is to have the right gloves. Try out these gloves to ensure that you get the job done right every time.

11. SHOWA Atlas 451M-08

These gloves are sold in multiple packs for a fair price, making them a great bang for your buck. One of the biggest flaws in some roofing gloves is the fact they don’t work well when the weather isn’t ideal. That isn’t an issue for these gloves, however. They work great in the summer and winter and even function well on rainy days. Be wary of the finger size, which tends to be a bit shorter than most gloves. Consider ordering a size up.

12. CLC Custom Leathercraft 124M

Another excellent rainy day option, this glove will help protect your hands from many work incidents. There have been some complaints about a lack of palm protection, so keep that in mind if that is an area of need for you when deciding which gloves to buy. They are very well-fitted and have excellent grip and dexterity. Stretchy and flexible characteristics make them quite comfortable as well.

13. ACKTRA Coated Nylon

Good quality, reasonable pricing, and for those that are interested in looking their best, there are a lot of different colors to choose from to fit your style. However, they aren’t the most breathable gloves on the market. Therefore, if you have had issues in the past with breathability and your gloves, you may want to look elsewhere. However, you’ll get a lot of good value out of these gloves.

Best Belts For Roofers

Of all the roofing tools out there, there may not be a more iconic tool than the tool belt. The right tool belt will propel the job forward, and it holds all the other quintessential roof tools. The best tool belt for one person may not work for someone else, which makes trying them very important. Try ordering a few different belts and giving away the ones that don’t work to another member of your roofing team that needs one, or just return them.

14. CLC Custom Leathercraft 175274

We’ll preface this by saying this belt wasn’t exactly designed for left-handed roofers, unfortunately. So while it is a great belt for right-handed folks, it’s not the best belt ever made. If you are right-handed, it is a fantastic option, and the heavy-duty leather will ensure it lasts job after job for quite some time.

15. Bucket Boss 2 Belt

Adjustable pouches, 12 picks, and two hammer holders make the Bucket Boss belt a great piece of equipment. It also fits up to 52-inch waists, which is more than you can say for many other belts on the market. As far as tools for roofing go, this is an exceptional option. Worth mentioning: some may find that the pockets are placed in awkward positions and that the lack of square pouch is not ideal.

16. Dewalt DG5617 20-Pocket Pro Framer’s Combo

When it comes to roofing tools, some roofing professionals like to keep things simple. While this belt may look a little over the top at first, it is definitely worth checking out. The many benefits include being easy to adjust, pockets on suspenders, plenty of spare room, excellent weight distribution, zippered pockets, comfortable, and secure. Give this piece of equipment a look if you’ve noticed that your current belt for your tools doesn’t have enough capacity.

Other Valuable Roofing Tools To Consider

 

17. CompanyCam

We have never reviewed them before, but I appreciate them a lot. It’s absolutely a must-have tool for everybody. It’s an online platform and I’ve never met a contractor who would not be just absolutely thrilled with CompanyCam. What is it? It’s a photo app, only $12 per user, and every contractor needs one. Simply put it is the smartest way to document your work and communicate with your crew. CompanyCam connects to your CRM so your team will always access those pictures online instead of having to drive to the job sites. They can login and access the files online. I know a lot of contractors who have a rule to make at least 75 pictures per job. I can’t imagine how people managing their pictures without something like CompanyCam manage that many pictures as easily as CompanyCam allows users to be able to manage them. Maybe you have alternative but I’m telling you this CompanyCam is awesome. Works great for salespeople and for roofing companies, go check it out at the link below you’ll completely love it.

18. Roof Snake

Not to be mistaken with the old snake that’s a bad insurance company, but the Roof Snake shingle nail puller is awesome. It helps you to lift a shingle and hand drive that nail without damaging the shingles. If you do a lot of repairs, you should have it in your pouch. Shingles will break when start lifting them up and it’s a great tool to help prevent damage to shingles and it’s very easy to use. When an insurance company comes, and they tell you they’re going to deny the claim because the shingles are repairable. You can offer them roof snake and say here you go, fix it. I’m not going to change my mind about the tool just because of some insurance companies are not playing the fair game.

19. Equipter RB4000

Sure, the price tag on this piece of roofing equipment may be fairly high, and the ordinary subcontractor may struggle to afford it, but it’s well worth the investment for those that can. One Equipter RB4000 costs about $32,900. However, in a highly competitive market like roofing, the price should not be an issue considering what it does and its marketing assets. In as much as one wishes the Equipter to keep coming down in price, Roofing Insights strongly recommends it for every company in the roofing business. It is a premium product worth every penny.

20. AJC Heavy Steel Roof Roller

This steel roof roller is a heavy-duty piece of equipment that will help you complete roof jobs much faster. It has three individual rollers and adjusts to irregular surfaces. The removable legs allow this product to remain standing when not in use and aids in transport.

21. Qualcraft Shingle Shark

The Qualcraft Shingle Shark cuts both asphalt and fiberglass shingles at any angle. With cold-rolled steel construction and a powder coat paint finish, the shingle shark is a force to be reckoned with. An open mesh table allows the weight of the unit to be 38 pounds. This roofing equipment is adaptable, with three different ways to be mounted on the roof.

22. Lock Jaw Ladder Grip Tool

This last tool on our list comes from Australia. They sent us four of them to try and my guys love them. Very easy to understand why, it doesn’t damage the ladder, it just goes in and literally grabs it. Our extended climb ladder is not going to move left or right with this lock jaw ladder grip tool attached to it. Locks onto the gutter in seconds and stabilizes the ladder to the gutter without causing any damage to the gutter.

Invest in Good Roofing Tools and Don’t Be Cheap on Replacements

Investing in your roofing business is not something that should be done half-heartedly. Trying to get by with the same tools you’ve had for years and years is not a winning strategy. Obviously, you have to make smart investments and decide which decisions are right for your company in the long term. But, you do have to indeed make some investments, whether it’s in a new office building, new tools, upgraded marketing strategies, or whatever.

If you’re serious about growing your business, you must be willing to put some money into the equipment and tools you use, as well as other areas of your company. Don’t be too cheap, or keep pushing it off either.

If you like any other products comment below. Let us know what you think is the tool that every roofer must have.