I’m building a gazebo for my daughters to use as a bus stop shelter. The inside roof going to be open (no ceiling) and I don’t want the roofing nails sticking through the wood. Is there a way to attach roofing shingles without nails? Would staples that are too short to go through the wood work? How about some type of glue?
At the lumber supply store here the locals’ eyes just glaze over when I asked them, so I’m coming to the Dope!
What kind of shingles? Asphalt/fiberglass or wood?
I believe staples are the normal way to attach shingles to a gazebo, actually.
A little poking around brings up a few references to using 1/4" by 1" long galvanized staples to attach cedar shakes. You’ll want to use a pneumatic stapler for this, or you could use short nails and a lot of hammering - off the top of my head, I’m thinking something like 6-penny brads, as opposed to fat roofing nails that would split the shingles.
Staples and construction adhesive would seem to be a wise bet.
Don’t you like screwing?
Well duh! It would help if I stated that. :smack:
Asphalt/fiberglass shingles.
I was thinking construction adhesive and staples; staples to hold them in place until the glue sets… taking them off would be a pain if it works like it should.
Arrow HT65 Tacker
Every man should have one.
3/4" is going to penetrate the sheathing.
Very sweet of you to take on this project for your girls. But I suggest not worrying about nails coming through the sheathing. I doubt your daughters are.
If it is a problem, get some styrofome insulateing material (like they use on foundations) and cover the underside of the roof with it. Glue it in there before nailing, and paint it. The nails will go into it, but you won’t see them.
Disclaimer - not sure if you can paint the stuff.
In that case, get shorter staples or thicker roof decking. The HT65 is possibly a bit of overkill for a gazebo - the HT50 can take smaller staples as well - from 1/4" to 1/2".
I wouldn’t mess with any kind of glue either. After the first hot day, the shingles’ self-sealing tabs will effectively glue the whole roof together.
The sheathing I’m planning on using is stained 3/4" tongue and groove to give the interior that rustic finish. The staples might work fine as the 30# roof paper and shingle thickness would keep the staples from coming through.
Arrow HT65 tacker, eh Mongo… it doesn’t take much of an excuse for me to buy a tool even if there’s slight chance of ever using it.
As for the girls caring about exposed nails… I’m sure they wouldn’t even notice but that’s my concern… they’ll leave home someday but the gazebo will stay!
If your structure needs to comply with building code(s), you might want to read up on stapled shingles. Some places outright ban them, others have length, guage and pattern criteria. Even where they are allowed there is debate re: their effectiveness over nails.
You could always put another layer of 1/2 inch OSB on top of the sheathing to make it thicker.
wolf11469 <--------Roofer
Whoh. T&G. You are going for a nice look. You sure don’t want nails penetrating that.
So yeah. Some sort of hammer stapler that has a wide crown, can handle shorter legs (say 1/2-3/4") and has a wide hammer ‘face’. I’m a bit worried that a hammer stapler will damage the shingles as you pound them in. The one I have would probably cut them up pretty bad.
Building codes are OK with staples on roofs where I live. I’ve done 4 roofs with them.
But I used an air gun. 1” crown. 1” legs. Yep a bit more expensive. But IMHO, air is the way to go.
Here’s one that will take ½” legs. 1” crown. Perhaps you could rent one.
You would of course also need a compressor. But you might find that a compressor is VERY hand to have around.
I have an HT50, and now I feel inadequate… 
Yeah, I have 3 compressors and honestly believe that I need a couple more! 
It’s weird here; the gazebo isn’t a “permanent” structure (meaning it doesn’t have a foundation and could possibly be moved) so it doesn’t have to comply to anything.
A lot of “tractor barns” get built here for this reason; just a heavily framed building resting on a bed of gravel and you’re good to go. :dubious:
I would be a little worried about nailing a regular roofing nail into T&G. I think you might split the heck out of it. The air driven staple would be a lot better IMHO.
Since you need no permits, I’d buy (or rent) an air stapler for the job.
Driving a nail or staple all the way through the material gives it much better staying power. The wood can’t push it back out. If you can’t drive it all the way through, I think the staple will have better staying power.
Some building departments frown on staples. But I’m not sure why.
And an old friend of mine that was in the roofing business frowned on them as well.
Maybe wolf11469 can answer that?
OP, your location prompted my response since you’re possibly in Hurricane Alley.
The gripe with staples apparently relates to the staple crown pulling through if the staple lifts in high winds.