That’s been my experience too—speed isn’t always the best tradeoff if you end up with loose shingles down the line. I had a crew rush through mine with nail guns, and a year later I was patching spots after a windy week. Hand-nailing took longer but I haven’t had to mess with repairs since. It’s tempting to go for the faster option, but honestly, placement and pressure really do make a difference... especially if you’re watching your budget and want it to last.
Hand-nailing took longer but I haven’t had to mess with repairs since. It’s tempting to go for the faster option, but honestly, placement and pressure really do make a difference... especially if you’re watching your budget and want it to last.
I get where you’re coming from. I went with shingles because, honestly, the price was right and I figured “how bad can it be?” Well, after a couple of Midwest windstorms, I found out. The crew I hired used nail guns and finished in a day, but I was up there with a caulk gun and a handful of replacement shingles within the year. Not exactly what I’d call money well spent.
I’m not saying hand-nailing is the only way, but if you’re trying to stretch your dollars, it’s worth making sure whoever’s doing the job isn’t just blasting through it. I’ve seen neighbors go metal or tile, but the upfront cost is wild compared to shingles. Still, if you have to keep patching things up, that “cheap” roof starts looking a lot more expensive over time.
If I had to do it again, I’d probably pay a bit more for slower, careful work. Fast isn’t always better, especially when you’re the one footing the bill for repairs later.
That lines up with my experience, too. I went with architectural shingles a few years back, figuring they’d be a solid middle ground price-wise. The install crew used nail guns, and while the roof looked great at first, I started noticing lifted tabs and a couple leaks after our first big storm. Turns out, some nails missed the strip or were overdriven. I’m not against nail guns if the crew’s careful, but honestly, attention to detail matters way more than speed. If you’re in a windy area like me (northern Illinois), it’s worth being picky about install methods—even if it means paying a bit more upfront.
I’m not against nail guns if the crew’s careful, but honestly, attention to detail matters way more than speed.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually push back a bit on nail guns being the main culprit. I’ve watched a few installs up close (helped my neighbor with his roof last year), and it really came down to the crew’s training and supervision—not just the tools. Nail guns can be super consistent if they’re set right and the guys know what they’re doing. Hand-nailing isn’t immune to mistakes either—seen plenty of crooked or underdriven nails done by hand.
What made the biggest difference for us was having the foreman double-check rows as they went. We had a couple spots where nails missed the strip, but they caught them before moving on. Also, in windy spots like northern IL, using six nails per shingle (not four) is key—most manufacturers even require it for wind warranty.
Honestly, I think it’s less about paying more upfront and more about making sure whoever you hire is willing to slow down and check their work as they go. That’s what saved my roof during last spring’s crazy storms.
Couldn’t agree more about supervision making the difference. I’ve managed a bunch of rental turnovers, and honestly, I’ve seen just as many issues from rushed hand-nailing as from nail guns set too high or low. The real headache is when crews cut corners to save time—missed nails, skipped rows, you name it. Around here (midwest), wind is brutal, so that six-nail thing isn’t just a suggestion. If you’re paying for a roof, you want someone who’s actually checking their own work, not just blasting through to get to the next job. Too many guys just want to be in and out... and then you’re the one dealing with leaks later.