Cap Nails or Staples? Stinger Cap nailer review

Cap Nails or Staples? Stinger Cap nailer review

Review: Cap Nails vs Staples

Dmitry reviews Stinger nail guns and answers why it is better to use cap nails over staples when installing synthetic underlayment.

Buy Stinger products here:

Stinger CH38A Autofeed Cap Hammer 3/8"

Stinger Cn100 Stinger Cap Nailer

Roofing Insights
The Voice of Roofing Communities

============================
Let's Connect:

============================
Check out these links to our gear and equipment on Amazon:

============================
#New
#Video
#RoofingInsights

roofing contractor

[stevensulik]

I've been using a stinger cap staplers (The air ones) for the last 3 years and the air nailer this year. I can dry in a roof faster (Completely by myself) than 3 of my guys doing it by hand.
The air stapler feels much more durable but once the driver starts to wear it will misfire occasionally.
The air nailer feels like it's going to break when using it under normal conditions (I haven't broken it yet) but so far other than that it's been flawless.

[agajohanna]

I started working as a roof laborer in 1986... when I was 16.
When synthetic underlayment came out, I was skeptical, thought it would be slippery... it wasn't, now it's all I use

I love learning new ways of doing things if it's good, effective and speeds things up.
I'm considered a great Roofer, I'm also a NRCA certified trainer, but I can always learn more and improve more. Nobody is perfect

I like chalking lines, because I like being as perfect as possible, especially on long runs
Problem with staples on synthetic, especially after chalking every other course, the underlayment is more likely to shift on you when you walk on it using staples.
This is not an issue with the plastic caps, but they were slower to nail in. Then I bought the Stinger hammer tacker with plastic caps... loved it, but over time, it began to ware out. So I bought the Stinger pneumatic, and OMFG, fast. and it has a depth adjustment know (they could improve that with a dial).

No more chasing underlayment when the wind gusts up. I can leave it on for a few days and everything stays dry inside.
And unlike classic Felt or the fiberglass felt paper, it didn't expand or swell when it got wet with the moring dew or over night showers.

Also, it's not slippery when wet either, and least those hacks at GAF make good underlayment in their felt buster and tiger paw. Just say'n

When it's wet, It can take a bit of time for it to dry off, but I always have a squeegee with me, which gets 90% of the water off, then I finish with a gas powered leaf blower.

the only issue I have with synthetic underlayment is it's impossible to see frost on most brands, so on those cold crisp mornings, have a look around, if you see frost on the neighbors house, there's probably frost on your underlayment too if it's been installed the day before

Sorry Dmitry, I talk to much, as a woman and a roofer and Atheist, I always feel I have to prove myself

[gitarman]

Why add more holes with caps?
I’m old school 65 years old and still roofing
There was a time guys wouldn’t even use felt
Ultimately all of those galvanized roofing nails holding your shingle down are obviously also penetrating the underlayment so why nail twice?
The fact hat you can’t rip synthetic is irrelevant that quality has nothing to do with keeping the roof water tight,
Felt or synthetic is fine stapled
The only time we would cap is if we are lining up multiple units and wish to protect the cdx or osb until we circle back to shingle
But for a replacement job or a simple on and off roof it doesn’t matter, the underlayment it simply not exposed long enough

[jjsroofing]

I have an air stapler cap gun. Tried 1/4”. Too easy to pull out. 5/8 “ are perfect. We’re very happy with the air stinger. If you have to leave underlayment overnight it’s a must. Cost about 30.00 $ a house extra over regular staples. It does look impressive to customers.

[raybrensike]

15 lb roofing felt will seal around the staples or nails because it is an asphalt product. I worked for a builder who would leave the felt on the roof over winter and shingle in the spring. We had to lath it down for the wind. We had no noticeable leaks all winter.

I just tore off some 32 year old 3 tab shingles and the felt paper underneath was still intact. There was some rot near the eves where ice shield would have helped there.

Now I am changing with the times and started using synthetic felt and bought a stinger cap hand stapler. My concern with that is that the staples are only 1/4 inch long. We always used 3/8"long staples with felt years ago.

Since I will be doing a lot of time consuming sheathing replacement and I am 3o years older and 30 pounds heavier, I seem to only feel like working a 1/2 day, so I want to weather in the roof and that means the underlayment will be what I depend on for wind and rain protection for quite some time.

I don't mind the hand stapler by stinger, but I do want to use longer staples if I can. This is why I am here, to learn something about these new tools.

[todd]

So shingle nails put a ton of holes on the underlayment. So i struggle to get why cap nails make any difference.

[mackhuntsman]

I’m just a little bit confused. Are you saying you prefer nails over staples? Or any caps over regular staples. In the video you keep showing the stinger cap stapler. Do you just recommend any caps or do they have to be nailed Caps not stapled caps?

[gradgirl]

What impresses homeowner is when the tarps doesnt rip or blow off with the next storm. As a homeowner, after Hurricane Ian we had to retarp five times bc guys who tarped did terrible job. We had repairs not replacement glad they didnt use cap nails but their methods, staples and nails did not hold the tarps. Beyond frustrating. We just want to know if we use cap nails after hurricane milton tomorrow, if we tarp our own roof and if it just needs to be repaired, are screw caps ok or will they ruin the roof?

[poop]

I work for a roofing company in Cali that subcontracts to a solor company and we have to use cap nails however we do tack the edges so that it is nice and tight then we go over it with cap nails

[jcraig]

I hate walking on synthetic underlayment when it is stapled on. On steep pitches it's a death trap. I agree with you, cap nails all the way.

[Tropa-Pro]

Yes I totally agree we must improve. Improvements makes us move forward. With no improvements we move backwards

[jasonmadruga]

You never explain why cap nails are better than staples.

[Castagra]

Great video! I loved the way you included a marketing lesson in a product review video. Very unexpected and nicely done!

[arnw]

I live in Eugene Oregon where it's raining right now.... I can tell you synthetic felt leaks when you staple It I've had it happen.

[stevenwhaley]

Love the slap staple stingers because they are faster because you can use one in each hand with no air. I do love the stinger nail guns. I am a 7 year roofer and I was basically raised on synthetic. We used roofing nails in new construction. But I have used tin cap and 30 pound felt too. I have seen synthetic shrink in valleys. They make it a lot better now.

[garyingersoll]

why are cap nails better than staples? Once you have the metal roof attached and if you walk on a cap nail will it leave a convex dent on the the metal roof? Thanks for your answer... Do caps nails have very flat heads to prevent upward dents when walked on?

[ranmangolf]

esti foarte bine. tu esti Romanesti? I am a diy homeowner and have to replace rotted longitudinal trim boards 1' x 10" s on house corners. The trim butts up next to vinyl siding. I was thinking of installing tyvek over the corners. Not sure if it has tar paper, but thought I would place this over the tar paper with staples and tape the area where the staples with tvek tape. I don't want to invest in a nail gun only because it is a small job. What are your thoughts for this application?

[petermichael]

Man I appreciate your videos but to me this was an over the top sales pitch to the point of being misleading.
1. Capped Staples or Nails on synthetic are both approved and personal preference. I'm a nail guy in all things because I do more structural work *BUT* on synthetic, especially where we are walking, I'm wanting the most points of contact without tearing so it's staples for many of us.
2. 6:30 you put cap staples, which are per the manufacturer, with roofing nails, which are not.

[monserrathquijano]

All I wish for is a cap nailer battery please, I like your video too

[mikegay]

Also, is there a way we can talk privately? Some questions I would like to ask and get some advice from you on. I love your video's and your take on roofing, especially because you're up north. I'm in NC