Hand-Nailing Roof Installation vs. Air-Nailing Roof Installation

Written By Kenneth Wilson | 0 Comments

Every homeowner who needs to replace their roof is faced with a decision and must choose between hand or air-nailing. Both methods are good options; each provides reasons why it is better than the other and needs some deeper insight before deciding.

Hand-nailing is a basic form used to install a roof and requires a singular tool called a hammer to embed a nail. Air-nailing uses a nail gun where the hammering force is generated from compressed air produced by a compressor. Both methods are used in roof installations and provide pros and cons.

The art of installing a roof was always left to skilled artisans who knew how to swing a hammer without going home with a sore thumb until air-nailing was invented. Today, the two methods compete, showing their advantages and disadvantages to allow homeowners to make a better-informed choice when it is time for a new roof.

on this page

What is Hand and Air–Nailing?

Hand–Nailing vs. Air–Nailing

Advantages of Hand–Nailing

Disadvantages of Hand–Nailing

Advantages of Air–Nailing

Disadvantages of Air–Nailing

Final Thoughts

What is Hand and Air–Nailing?

The struggle to decide which is best between hand and pneumatic nailing is a discussion that has been debated ever since the nail gun was invented. Every roof contractor has debated the subject extensively, and it often ends in a stalemate, with both methods producing pros and cons.

Most contractors agree that time saves money, providing credit for pneumatic nail installations. A nail gun is powered by compressed air to drive nails through shingles and decking, making the process quicker and less labor-intensive. Air-nailing requires a compressor, a skilled and trained operator, and properly maintained equipment to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Hand-nailing or traditional nailing is the one everyone knows that the old hammer and nail are used to install the shingles and decking, which takes slightly longer. Contractors still using the hand method believe it is the method of a true artisan and produces a sturdier and more precise execution.

The debate surrounding hand versus pneumatic nailing is not easily won, and both sides recognize the other's strengths and weaknesses. Some homeowners, without knowledge of the two methods, sometimes have to decide which is best for their roof. Whether you are a contractor, homeowner, or a curious party, read on to see their differences and which option is best for you.

Hand–Nailing vs. Air–Nailing

Finding new and improved ways to install shingles and decking is something contractors have tested extensively, with some methods showing promise and others not. Installing a roof is no easy task and must be done correctly to withstand harsh elements. Contractors must provide an installation guarantee and ensure their work quality will ensure client satisfaction.

Every roof installation contractor uses hand or air-nailing, and there are many disputes regarding each method. Homeowners must consider the contractor's method before giving the go-ahead. Here are their advantages and disadvantages to help you make a better-informed decision.

Advantages of Hand–Nailing

Installing a roof using the old hammer and nail procedure is as old as time, and for some, it is a primitive method, but even in modern times, with new technology, it is still a preferred choice. Here are the advantages when using the hand-nailing process.

Durability. A hammer is durable; if it falls off the roof, it most likely won't break and lasts long before it is unusable.
Costs less. It requires only a hammer, nails, and a tool belt, which are cheap to buy or replace if necessary.
Less hazardous. It prevents the risks of tripping over air hoses and air compressors.
Preciseness. A skilled roofer can provide accuracy and a precise job.
Detecting soft spots. Hand-nailing highlights problematic soft spots requiring extra nails.
Control. Sensing and controlling the nail's depth is simpler and avoids leaving the nail head too high or too deep.
Nail placement. Placing the nail in the right spot is easier when nailing by hand.

Disadvantages of Hand–Nailing

Attaching shingles to decking only requires a hammer and nails, but there are disadvantages that you, as a homeowner, must be aware of. Here are the disadvantages of using the hand-nailing method:

Installation time. Attaching shingles takes longer, ending up costing more.
Injury. Many thumbs have cursed the day the hammer was invented, and a slip or misjudgment often causes serious injury and prevents the installation from continuing.
Accuracy. Hand-nailing is a skill that requires experience and, if it is not done correctly, could become a disastrous and costly exercise.
Damage. Missing or bending the nail damages the shingle and adds to the extra cost of installing a roof.

Advantages of Air–Nailing

New technology has given many roof contractors the benefit of speed and accuracy while saving on costs and installation time. Air-nailing provides various benefits to roof installations, and here are some to consider:

Labor. A trained laborer with a nail gun can do the same work as two or more using hammers, saving on labor costs.
Accuracy. An air gun only requires one hand to operate, leaving the other to ensure precise placement.
Injury. An accidental thumb under the hammer is eliminated with pneumatic nailing, reducing the chances of injury.
Installation time. Pneumatic guns are much faster than hammers and save on installation costs.

Disadvantages of Air–Nailing

The speed, comfort, and cost saving of pneumatic nailing is a huge benefit, but homeowners must be aware that there are negative factors to consider. Here are the disadvantages of air-nailing:

Precision. The nail gun makes getting an exact nail placement difficult and requires a practiced and well-trained operator.
Quality. A pneumatic gun pushes the nail in with a single shot, and if the spot is too soft or too hard could leave the nail embedded too deep or too high.
Accuracy. Air-nailing is fast, which sometimes causes installation accuracy problems, especially when an unskilled operator fails to ensure correct positioning.
Injury. Air hoses are obstacles that could cause serious injury if you trip over them. Nail guns have safety measures that prevent them from shooting out a nail if it is not pressed against a hard surface, and if it malfunctions could injure you or a third party if it accidentally goes off.
Cost. Nail guns are expensive and require a compressor to function, which are pricey and sometimes difficult to transport.
Damage costs. If a hammer falls off the roof, its chance of surviving is much better than a pneumatic gun, and repairing or replacing it is costly.

Final Thoughts

Air and hand-nailing are great methods when installing a roof; each has pros and cons. Air-nailing works with a nail gun and compressor, making it fast and less labor intensive, whereas hand-nailing, although slower, costs less and provides a precise finish. (Related article: The Top 12 Roofing Manufacturers According to Roof Type)

About the Author

Kenneth Wilson

I can build it, and I can help you get the patio enclosure you want! I got my start in the Florida patio industry back in the 70s as a young general laborer looking for something to make a few bucks. At the time I never thought it would end up as my career. Over the years I grew beyond the laborer position, becoming a foreman, superintendent, and then into executive management for some of the largest patio contractors, and material vendors. Now into retirement and slightly bored, I offer consulting services to new and existing contractors, and publish this website to help the people who love their patio's and screen enclosures the most - YOU!