Why You Shouldnt Use Roof Nails On Deck Hangers

Roofing nails are.

Why you shouldnt use roof nails on deck hangers.

You must use joist hanger nails. But even in that situation some inspectors will want to see joist hangers. That is why it is important to use roofing nails when doing a roofing job. As far as overkill probably is but you read about too many deck collapses every year.

If you are putting a layer of asphalt shingles over an existing layer of asphalt shingles on to a 3 4 inch deck or a plank deck then you should be using 1 1 2 inch nails. The end joists on a ledger need a hanger just like the rest of the joists but using a regular joist hanger with out turned flanges presents a problem. Screws are also unnacceptable for hangers since they do not have the shear strength of a nail. While nails have always been a necessity for at least part of the construction of a deck there was a time when screws were just too laborious to consider before the invention of power drivers nails could be pounded in quickly with a hammer while screws required pilot holes and hard to use manual drivers.

Codes typically call for attaching joists with joist hangers at the ledger. At one time nails were preferred over screws because it was much easier and faster to hammer in nails than to use a manual screwdriver or spiral ratcheting screwdriver e g. Put the tip of a roofing nail and a joist hanger nail in a vice and try to bend them with a pair of pliers. They are sometimes not required at the header if they rest on a nearby drop beam and you drive nails through the face of the header into the joists.

The use of roofing nails as structural attachments for joist hangers is not uncommon however it should be avoided. Many craftsmen know the basics of using a hammer wood and nails. Do this for a test. If you try to buy joist hangers for 2x12 joists you ll find that the common 18 gauge hangers used for deck construction top out at the 2x10 size.

Using your deck example you should use nails to attach the joists to the deck framing but use screws to fasten down the decking itself. However not many are familiar with working with specialized materials like galvanized nails with pressure treated wood. Nails are used in almost all framing and. These special nails and wood have their own properties and work differently than normal nails and wood.

Roofing nails are not made to withstand the structural forces that are required for joist hanger connectors. If your decking is less than 3 4 inch then a 1 1 2 inch nail will suffice. Instead of using standard deck screws to install hangers consider using specialty screws.