Stainless Steel Coil Roofing Nails

Cedar shingle and cedar shake contain natural tannic acid. Within one wet season, that acid eats through electroplated zinc and starts attacking the steel underneath. By year three, the nail head pops, and the shingle slides.

Every cedar shingle association recommends — and most cedar shingle warranties require — stainless steel roofing nails. 304 stainless minimum for any cedar work, regardless of distance to salt water.

Hot-dipped galvanized is rated for ~25-year life inland. Within 1 mile of salt water, that drops to 3–7 years before visible rust streaking. Within 1/2 mile, often less than 2 years.

For coastal asphalt shingle work, 304 stainless is the practical minimum. For oceanfront or direct salt spray, 316 stainless adds molybdenum that resists chloride pitting — worth the 30% upcharge for any oceanfront install.

If your roof has copper flashing, copper gutters, or any premium roofing material (slate, clay tile, real-zinc panels), stainless steel fasteners are the only galvanic-compatible option. Galvanized in contact with copper accelerates corrosion of both metals.

For these jobs, galvanized coil nails aren't just inferior — they actively cause damage.