Do you have a roofing nailer? Have you ever considered building fences for your backyard using that roofing nailer? If yes, this article may burst all the myths and help you be more efficient in nail gun selection for specific works.
Different types of nailers are built for omitting several tasks. You can’t use a single nailer for every intent in your pathway. In this article, I have tried to guide you so that you can get out of all your misconceptions, and it will also help you build a splashy and smooth fence.
Fasten your seatbelts, homie. And let’s start the ride!
Table of Contents
Fifty Shades of Fencing
No matter what you plan to do, if you’re up for putting some fences in your backyard, you must know the types of fences available to date. Without this prior knowledge, you won’t be able to operate things efficiently. The categories of fencing merely depend on the material used to build it. Here’s to the types:
- Wooden Fencing
From the name, this fencing refers to the one that uses wood to build. These wooden fences will always be on top of the notch in terms of providing the user with privacy and ensuring aesthetic property.
However, this type of fence requires consistent monitoring and maintenance despite being advantageous. The fence may lead to rot and weathering without periodic staining and sealing.
- Chain-Link Fencing
Like the wooden fence, this one also provides much security and requires considerably low maintenance. However, you can choose this one if you’re looking for a cost-effective fencing solution.
- Vinyl Fencing
In terms of durability, this fencing is on top of the notch. However, along with heavy-duty durability, this also ensures you don’t go out of choices. And it requires minimal maintenance. Cleaning the fence occasionally will be well enough for maintenance—no need to push further.
- Aluminum Fencing
As you can guess, yes, the following fence is made of aluminum, and in terms of durability, I can ensure it would never let you down. Along with its durable features, it comes in several styles and heights. According to your requirements, you may choose your desired shape, size, colors, and height.
- Farm Fencing
If you’re wondering to make fences for your farm where the livestock resides, this may be the best option for you. Apparently, it includes a variety of types and provides moderate to reasonably good stress resistance. Also, it can withstand minimal loads.
These are the primary fence options you can have. Except for these mentioned ones, you can also go for several other options, such as PVC, electric, bamboo, composite, and whatnot. But you first have to determine your area of use. Implies in what purpose you want to use the fence. And then, according to the purpose, you must select the appropriate fencing options. Otherwise, all the work will go in vain.
Can I Use Roofing Nailer for Fencing?
If you seek my answer directly, I will say “NO!”. Picking up a roofing nailer for fencing will not be a good choice. Some factors make a nailer good for fencing. If your picked nailer contains all the following requirements, you can add it to your bucket list for fencing. Otherwise, no!
Here’s to the factors that make a nailer best for fencing:
- Nail Length
Before going in, you have to look forward to the length of the nail first. Roofing nailers are designed to accommodate shorter nails incapable of being used in fencing projects. They contain nails typically around 1 to 1.5 inches in length. However, large nails could have been implemented, but that increases the overall costs.
- Nail Diameter
As a matter of fact, roofing nailers have wide diameters. But when using nailers for a fencing project, you must get a nailer that uses small-diameter nails. As simple as I can make it, roofing nailers are also unstable here.
- Comfort and Ergonomics
While you’re working on a project, fatigue management changes many of the portions of the work. To handle fatigue and increase efficiency, you must use something comfortable to hold and easy to work with. Not with something that makes your work more lengthy and unstable. Roofing nailers most likely do not provide the required ergonomics and can lead to boredom.
- Weight
Roofing nailers are used in shingle installation, felt, and underlayment and work like fastening ridge caps. The nailer does not need to be as heavy as the world for all these works. Instead, the roofing nailer weighs relatively lighter.
But in terms of fence installation, the weight of the nailer needs to be heavier than the minimum limit. A roofing nailer cannot provide this heaviness. Thus, as in fencing, we should not use roofing nailers for these applications.
- Durability
Here comes the game changer: for fencing applications, you must use a good-grade and strong nailer that can provide at least a minimum amount of durability. A roofing nailer has less durability. With that amount, you won’t be able to get things done. This is why we should rethink our decision.
Considering all the facts, we use framing nailers for fencing application that provides us with straightforward perks. I hope you are provided with the answer you have been seeking, ain’t it?
Why Should I Use Roofing Nailers?
Assuming you have a roofing nailer already in your bucket. No, as you can’t use it in terms of installing fences, that does not mean that you can’t use it anywhere else. No matter what, a good-grade roofing nailer will provide tremendous features and perks that are always worth the bucks. Here are some fascinating perks that a roofing nailer has to offer you:
- Efficiency and Speed
Predominantly, roofing nailer are used for installing roofing and stuff. For this reason, the nail gun has to be very speedy. And yes, guess what? Roofing nailer are very speedy. They can fire nails rapidly and consistently. This allows the roofers to cover more area in a significantly less time. Implies, peak efficiency of work.
You may not notice the efficiency if you’re up for DIY work. But a roofing nailer is always worth it in terms of heavy-duty work. You can count a roofing nailer in even if you want something that aligns with your industrial task.
- Accuracy and Precision
Along with the speed, they consist of an excellent precision mechanism. The roofing nail gun makes sure that the nail placement is accurate. The nails are consistently driven at the correct depth and angle. It not only provides precision but gives the roof a smooth aesthetic finish as well. So, in both cases, it will be a win for you.
- Consistency in Nail Depth
A roofing nailer provides very high consistency in terms of nail depth. Suppose you want me to discuss one of the most essential reasons for choosing roofing nailers. In that case, I will talk about this, and yes, only for this reason: roofing nailers are used in building or constructing roofs of houses and for other heavy-duty jobs. The nails can hold the material in place gently and do not bother the user while installing the roof.
- Integrated Safety Management
The last meal is always tasty, isn’t it? Yes, this is the very last feature I am about to discuss. But it’s going to be eye pleasant. You get speed, accuracy, precision, consistency, and whatnot from a roofing nailer. But after all these, the nail gun delivers safety to the user. If you’re a newbie who has just been starting things out, this improved safety management will blow your mind and make you more trustworthy in using roofing nailers.
Apparently, a roofing nailer is not a thing to make a joke on. It has always been on top of the notch regarding productivity, performance, and precision, and the nail gun is still evolving. But every mechanical tool has its own application area. The very application area of the roofing nailer does not go with installing fences. That does not indicate that roofing nailers are not capable of doing things. It’s just your perspective of thinking. Go nuts!
FAQ
Can I use roofing nails for wood fences?
Ans: Obviously, you can. The thing is, you can’t use a roofing nailer for using in terms of building fences. But in terms of nails, roofing nails will provide you with very strong durability and holdability in woods. Galvanized and stainless steel nails are common types of nails used for this purpose. You can go for any nail size that your nail gun suits.
What type of nailer do I use for fencing?
Ans: Regarding building fences, you have a distinctive choice when selecting nailers. Basically, you can use a framing nailer (which provides extraordinary efficiency). Also, you can go for a finish nailer. These nailers are designed for fencing application, and they will get your work done in the blink of an eye.
What tool is used in fencing?
Ans: While fencing, you may need some work aids that will facilitate your nailing process or fencing application. The work aids may include:
- Post hole digger
- Level
- Tape measure
- String line, and many more.
Depending on the type of fence you’re installing and the work intensity, the aids may change.
Verdict
We already have touched the verge of this piece, homie. Till now, I have been guiding you about the roofing nailers and their usability in terms of fencing application. I guess you don’t have any sort of confusion regarding the topic. Even if you are confused, I suggest you give this article one more read. It will give you a clear understanding. And most importantly, share this directory with your friends and mates who may need it the most.
PAX VOBISCUM!
