Are you a handyman or a carpenter? Or are you just a DIY lover? Well, it doesn’t matter which category you belong to.
While doing various projects, you’ll need all sorts of special professional tools. For this reason, there is a wide range of professional tools. And these tools are often barely distinguishable from each other. Roofing nailers and siding nailers are just the two of those.
For any handyman or carpenter, siding nailers and roofing nailers are both common power tools.
These nailers are actually quite similar. However, they do work differently. So, siding nailer vs roofing nailer- which one’s the best?
Well. We’re here to answer that exact question. Here, we’ll deliver an in-depth explanation regarding this matter. So, don’t jump over anywhere else until you get a hold of it. Now let’s start-
What is a Siding Nailer?
Siding nailers are as the name suggests, great for carrying out siding jobs. This tool is designed to work on wood or sometimes vinyl sidings. It ensures that they are equipped to fire a special type of siding nails that are designed to hold the siding for a specific time period.
It is an invention that provides all kinds of siding solutions and produces a polished appearance. Siding nailers are ideal for use when working on siding projects. It will function effectively and help you save time.
However, the nails are not designed to keep the siding in position completely.
As vinyl stretches in the light. As a result, it may cause cracks. So, while inserting siding nails, it’s the norm to keep some extra room. This allows the vinyl to wiggle and tight fit on sunny days without cracking.
Since the length of the nail differs depending on the type of wood, siding nailers also come with depth-of-drive adjustment, so you can get the exact depth you like. If you can find suitable nails, this precision allows them some flexibility. Sometimes, this adjustment makes other tasks flexible too.
Other than that, with the right technique, you can connect two different materials by using a siding nailer.
The bottom line is, this is a reliable tool that can pull double duty for as long as you want.
What is a Roofing Nailer?
What separates roofing nailers from any other nail gun?
Well, the difference is in the details. Roofing nails are appropriate for most types of asphalt and fiberglass shingles, waterproof tar paper and insulation board.
So, it doesn’t matter whether you are installing a new roof or doing a re-roofing. Roofing nailers are built to perform.
A key feature of roofing nailers is, they drive coil nails. To be more specific, these nailers drive coil roofing nails. Roofing nailers can run longer between refills by using coil nails.
As a result, you won’t need to stop and move off a rooftop to refill the magazine of the nailer.
Moreover, the coil magazine helps to improve the ergonomics of the device, making it super easy to hold on to while moving on a roof.
In addition, roofing nails have the option to take out nails easily from the roof. So, re-roofing is easier nowadays with the help of a roofing nailer.
Overall, roofing nailers are your go-to tool for any roofing matter.
Siding Nailer Pros
What does a siding nailer offer other than siding nails like a pro?
Well, there are a number of benefits and special features a siding nailer offers. So, let’s get into it.
- Siding nailers are best at what they do. No other tool can give you the perfection a siding nailer offers.
- Siding nailers come in different sizes. Light, medium and heavy – you can choose whichever size fits your work nature.
- You don’t have to worry about debris and dust while using a siding nailer as most of them come with an air filter.
- Siding nailers come with depth-of-drive adjustment. It allows you to pierce to the exact depth you need.
- There is an option of a trigger lock system in sliding nailers to avoid you shooting unknowingly or a kid playing with it and shooting himself/herself.
- Siding nailer has a variety of uses because of their portability option.
- Both bump shots and single shots are possible.
Siding Nailer Cons
Siding nailers are great for many things but like any other tool, there are some drawbacks. So, what are the cons of this tool?
- Siding nailers don’t have a coil-nail feature. You have to refill a lot if you’re planning to work for long hours.
- Hard materials cannot be penetrated with this tool.
- Siding nails don’t have wide nail tip because they are not made to hold the surface rather than attaching it with another surface.
- It works for siding but other nailing jobs are not suitable for this.
Roofing Nailer Pros
Roofing nailers are the go-to tool for any roofing matter. Besides that, roofing nailers have a few other features and benefits. Let’s see what other good things a roofing nailer is offering.
- Roofing nailers can drive coil nails, unlike most nail guns. Coil nails can carry a large number of nails, generally about 120.
- Redoing your roof with a roofing nailer is highly comfortable.
- Some roofing nailers can hold various sizes of nails.
- Roofing nailers can pierce through waterproof tar paper, asphalt and fiberglass shingles.
· Many roofing nailers are waterproof. This allows you to work in the rainy season.
Roofing Nailer Cons
Roofing nailers provide perfect results for any roofing situation. However, they have some flaws. Let’s have a look at it.
- Roofing nailers get jammed occasionally. Oiling before each session is necessary.
- The use of coil nails in roofing nailers makes them relatively heavy and unhandy.
- Roofing nailers can sometime double-shoot.
- Depth-of-drive adjustment is not available in roofing nailers.
- Roofing nailers can attach wood or metal sheet to your roof.
Siding Nailer vs Roofing nailer: Functions
By this time, you know that siding nailers and roofing nailers function differently despite their similar appearance. So, now you need to figure out how to use these two nailers. Let’s break it down further, shall we?
How to Use Siding Nailers?
You just bought siding nail guns for a job, and you don’t know how to use it. Don’t worry, you will learn it by following this simple tutorial.
1. Buy the nails.
2. Load the nails into your nailer.
3. Get proper safety equipment.
4. Figure out the depth you need and set it.
5. Hook your nailer to a power source.
6. Shoot your nails.
How to Use Roofing Nailers?
Roofing nailers are a bit heavier compared to siding nailers. And you need to work on roofs, which is quite dangerous. For this reason, you need to be extra cautious while using this tool.
So, if you are ready, let’s roll!
1. Get safety protections.
2. Get the right compressor.
3. Load the canister.
4. Adjust the exhaust deflector.
5. Set the firing mode.
6. Fire away.
And that’s it. It won’t matter if you’re a beginner as you will become an expert after doing it a couple of times.
Types of Siding Nailer
There are three types of siding nailers and these are:
- Coil Siding Nailer
- Cordless Siding Nailers
- Pneumatic Siding Nailers
Coil Siding Nailer
Coil siding nailers are ideal for heavier goods. It is because it takes more force to nail harder objects. A solenoid metal piston serves as the main mechanism. Also, you can use soft objects by regulating power.
Cordless Siding Nailers
Cordless siding nailers use a battery power source to work, but function like another nailer. The issue is its weaker power. You cannot use it on harder objects because of this.
Pneumatic Siding Nailers
The pneumatic siding nailer is air-powered. The power source is air pressure. So, no need to consider a battery or other power source to run. This is popular for both harder and softer materials.
Types of Roofing Nailer
Choosing a roofing nailer is vital for their types. There are three different types of roofing nailers based on the power source. These are;
- spring loaded
- Pneumatic
- Solenoid
Spring Loaded
Spring loaded is a simple form of roofing nailer and uses a spring to shoot nails.
Pneumatic
Pneumatics are the most popular type. They are powered by a compressed air roofing nailer. This one is strong in all types of roofing nailers because it employs compressed air.
Solenoid
Solenoid-powered nailers operate with electromagnetic polarization.
In Conclusion
We’re at the finishing line of our discussion of siding nailer vs roofing nailer.
It’s no surprise that roofing nailers are better at nailing roofs. While siding nailers are far better at siding nails. The biggest difference between the two models is the kind of nails that they can shoot.
In conclusion, both of these nailers are important and perform different tasks that can’t be done without them. Hope this piece of content helped you figure out which type of nailer you need.
Best of luck!