Skip to Content

Can You Use Roofing Nailer for Siding? (Read This First!)

Imagine you find out that you are using a roofing nailer instead of a siding nailer in the middle of your siding project.

What should you do now? Can you use a roofing nailer for siding? This is a very natural question that might strike you, so here we are with an answer.

Read ahead to learn more about roofing nailers. We will also help you differentiate between a roofing nailer and a siding nailer, and in which case you can use which nailer. So without further ado, let’s dive into it.

Can you use roofing nailer for siding?

You can use roofing nailer for siding. There would be no issue in this case. If you already have a roofing nailer and need to get small siding works done, then you can make do with the roofing nailer. No need to buy a siding nailer in this case. You will just need to be a bit technical.

There has always been a great deal of speculation around whether you can use a roofing nailer for siding.

This is because when you’re using a roofing nailer on your project, there may come a time when you might also need a siding nailer for a small task.

In such a case, people wonder whether they need a siding nailer for this particular task or if they can make do with the roofing nailer.

You can most definitely use a roofing nailer for siding. There will be no issue here. However, you will need to be a little technical in carrying out such a task.

Roofing nailers are generally used to put asphalt shingles or fiber glasses on the roof of an establishment. On the other hand, a siding nailer is used to fasten the siding nails and other items that are used for siding. 

Blind nailing:

Through this process, you can use roofing nailers for siding. Blind nailing is characterized by a nail being put into a clapboard or a hardwood flooring board. The nail will be put at a 45-degree angle, right above the board’s tongue.

This type of nailing can be done with a roofing nailer without any trouble. You can very comfortably get the job done with a roofing nailer instead of a siding nailer. You can also perform coil roofing siding with this nailer.

Galvanized nails:

You can use roofing nailers for siding when you are using galvanized nails as well. These nails usually come in a size of 1-¾ inches. You can install a siding using these nails with a roofing nailer.

You do not have to go to the trouble of purchasing a new siding nailer for this purpose.

Can you use roofing nailer for these sidings? What kind of nailer to use?

There are several types of siding options that you may be considering for your home. Make sure that the siding that you are picking is appropriate for installing with a roofing nailer. Read ahead to learn if you can use roofing nailers for certain sidings.

Let’s now take a look at whether you can use a roofing nailer for these sidings. Read ahead to learn more:

Hardie siding:

You can use a roofing nailer for Hardie board siding without any hesitation. The roofing nailers will get the job done flawlessly. You will not need to worry about getting a new siding nailer just for this small task.

Vinyl siding:

You can use a roofing nailer for vinyl siding without any worry. Vinyl siding is rather popular among homeowners as it is affordable and long-lasting.

You can use a roofing nailer for vinyl siding without any worry. It will get the job done perfectly well.

Composite siding:

Composite siding is another quick siding project that will be done in just a few quick steps.

In order to finish your composite siding, you do not need to get a new siding nailer. Instead, you can use your existing roofing nailer and get the job done fairly well.

Coil roofing siding:

You can use a roofing nailer for coil roofing siding. It will be appropriate to use a roofing nailer in this case because the task is quite simple and requires little time. So you will be able to use roofing nailers without any trouble.

Natural wood siding:

If you are opting for a natural wood siding, then you can most definitely complete the project with a roofing nailer.

You do not have to worry about purchasing a new siding tool for this project. A roofing nailer will help you get the job done just as well.

What is the difference between roofing nailer and siding nailer?

Let’s now take a look at the differences between roofing nailers and siding nailers. Read ahead to find out:

Weight:

Siding nailers and roofing nailers differ in weight. The siding nailers are relatively heavier than roofing nailers. So if you’re working on large projects, you will have a hard time carrying around a siding nailer.

For this reason, it is better to work with a roofing nailer for as must of the project as possible. This will be particularly helpful for beginners in the field as they will have a much easier time navigating the project with a roofing nailer.

Driving coil nails:

You will not be able to drive coil nails using a siding nailer. These machines are not designed for driving coil nails. On the other hand, you will be able to use roofing nailers for driving coil nails.

Refilling:

Roofing nailers do not need as frequent refilling as siding nailers. The roofing nails can drive coil nails. This enables them to carry on without frequent refilling.

On the other hand, if you’re working with siding nailers, then you will notice that these nailers cannot drive coil nails.

And they will need refills every once in a while. The refills need to be done much more frequently as compared to roofing nailers. You will have to refill quite a few times if you’re working on a long project.

Depth adjustment:

The best thing about siding nailers is that they come with a depth adjustment feature. You will be able to adjust the depth at which roofing nails need to enter a surface.

On the other hand, there are many roofing nailers that do not come with this basic feature. So it allows you much less flexibility. 

Can you use siding nails in a roofing nailer?

You cannot use siding nails in a roofing nailer. This is not possible because each nailer comes with specific requirements about the nails that they can work with. And roofing nails are much different than siding nails in their size and shape.

While you can use a roofing nailer for siding, you will need to make sure that the nailer has roofing nails inside it. You should not use siding nails inside a roofing nailer, or the job will not be done smoothly.

The roofing nailer is designed to accommodate roofing nails only. If you put siding nails inside it, it might damage the product. The same goes for a siding nailer.

How to use roofing nailer for vinyl siding?

Read ahead to learn how you can use roofing nailer for vinyl siding:

Fasten in a loose place:

Vinyl siding can be a little tricky, especially when you are carrying it out with a roofing nailer. When you are installing a vinyl siding, make sure that the size and shape of the nails inside the roofing nailer are appropriate of this particular job.

Vinyl siding will require a lot of nailing. So it would be ideal to use a light nailer for this task. Otherwise, you might have a hard time navigating the nailer.

Make sure that you are fastening the loose places first. This will make the project much smoother for you.

Fit with an adapter:

When you are carrying out a vinyl siding project, it would be ideal to use an adapter. Roofing nailers work better on vinyl siding when you have adjusted them with an adapter. 

You can use a special adapter to get some power nailing done. While the nailer accepts a moderately easy attachment, it would be ideal to choose a special adapter that will fit the nailer perfectly.

Final thoughts

You can use a roofing nailer for siding without much trouble. This is commonly done, especially when the siding project does not require much work. In that case, it will not be worth it to purchase a new siding nailer. But make sure to use roofing nails inside the roofing nailer.