September 7, 2018

Roof Warranty: The Difference a Nail Can Make

Did you know that your roof warranty protection is affected by how the nail pattern used for your roof? Click to learn about the most common nail patterns and when each should be used.

Time to read:
3 Minutes
Written by
Nicholas Capobianco

Warranty Differences in Nail Patterns

roofr nailing shingles into a roof

In shingle installations, adding or subtracting one nail can make a big difference in a manufacturer's warranty protection. The 4-nail patterns provide minimum wind resistance and warranty coverage. The 5-nail patterns provide high wind coverage and warranty coverage, and 6- nail installations provides the maximum wind protection and wind damage warranty coverage. Do you know what type of nail pattern your roof has?

Nail Patterns for Shingles

The minimum number of nails required for proper shingle installation is four. The placement consists of one nail above each cutout and one nail applied to each side. The accepted placement is 5 3/8 inches above the lower edge and below the seal strip. The placement of shingles and nail points results in overlapping shingles. The top shingle nails are primary fasteners for the top layer, and they provide secondary fastener support for the layer beneath.

Getting the Full Manufacturer's Warranty Benefit

The standard wind damage warranty period for tab shingles is 15 years. As a homeowner, you'll get the best warranty protection by following the manufacturer's nail patterns and placement instructions. The number of nails is a critical factor in wind resistance for tab shingles. The shingle placement will not have full resistance until the tiles seal over time from a combination of heat and pressure.The items listed below describe the standard warranty levels for wind resistance and the number of nails:

  •  When installers use four nails per shingle, the typical warranty protects for winds up to 110 miles per hour.
  •  When installations use six nails per shingle, the manufacturer’s warranty provides wind damage protection up to a limit of 130 miles per hour.

Note: For six nails, the manufacturer may require additional steps, such as specific types of trim, edges, and flashing.

Installation Standards

Manufacturers can vary the distance between the lower edge of the tab shingle and the sealing strip. The variance can make it difficult to nail at the proper measure and below the seal strip. A standard installation would apply a minimum of four nails per shingle.

The 5-Nail Installation

When the roof is steep or the weather conditions indicate, many roofing companies use a 5-nail pattern. Some installers routinely apply five nails as a preferred method for installation. The situations described below are ideal times to use five nails:

  • Cool weather installations in which the seals have not set
  • Steep roof slopes installation
  • In locations with mild or moderate wind conditions
  • On any walkable roof

The 6-Nail Installation

The manufacturer's best warranty coverage goes with 6-nail installations. The tabs get two nails above each cutout with single nails on the left and right sides. The items below are typical applications of 6-nail installations

  • On any application in cool or cold weather
  • In steep roof installations
  • On any non-walk-able roof
  • In locations with moderate to heavy wind conditions

Roofr's Storm-Wind Technique

Tab shingles can lift during windy conditions. Shingles on low slope roofs are also prone to wind effects. Roofr works with experienced installers who understand the need to guard against windy conditions. Expert installations use a storm-wind technique that adds extra nails over the middle tabs. The wind-resistant 6-nail technique makes shingles stay flat longer and resist lifting.

Free Instant Roofing Estimate

Roofr uses state-of- the-art satellite technology to obtain a precise measurement and estimate of the costs of roofing replacement. Roof repairs or replacements can avoid you having to pay for expensive damage, so get a free estimate from us today. If you have any questions, or aren't sure about something, give us a call at866-819-5215to speak directly with a discontinued tile roofing specialist, or email us at[email protected].

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