I'm about to redo the shingles on my shed this weekend, and I was at the hardware store earlier staring at boxes of roofing nails for way too long (you know how it goes, lol). Anyway, I noticed there's smooth shank nails and ring shank nails. I've always just grabbed whatever was cheapest or handy, but this time I figured I'd actually stop and think about it for a sec.
From what I gather, smooth shank nails are easier to drive in and cheaper, but ring shank nails supposedly hold better because of the ridges. My shed roof isn't huge or anything, but we do get some pretty strong winds around here sometimes. Last thing I want is shingles flying off into the neighbor's yard again—he still teases me about the last storm, haha.
I asked the guy at the store, and he just shrugged and said "either works," which wasn't exactly helpful. So I'm curious what you all prefer. Is it worth spending a bit more for ring shank nails, or is smooth shank perfectly fine for a smallish project like this? If you've used both, did you notice any real difference in how well they held up over time?
Honestly, I'm leaning toward ring shank just for peace of mind, but if it's just marketing hype or something, I'd rather save a few bucks. Thoughts?
Ring shank nails aren't just marketing hype—they genuinely do hold better, especially if wind is a concern. I've used both types on different projects, and the ring shanks definitely grip tighter over time. Smooth nails can loosen up after a few seasons of weathering. Yeah, they're a bit pricier and slightly tougher to drive in, but for a shed roof in a windy area...I'd say it's worth the extra few bucks for peace of mind.