1" Coil Roofing Nails: The Standard Re-Roof Fastener

A 1-inch coil roofing nail is the default for asphalt shingles being installed over a single layer of underlayment on 1/2" or 5/8" CDX plywood. The math is simple: most asphalt shingle manufacturers require the nail to penetrate at least 3/4" into the deck (or fully through it, whichever is less). A 1" nail through a 1/4"-thick laminated shingle plus 30# felt lands you right at the 3/4" sweet spot in 1/2" plywood.

That makes the 1" coil nail the highest-volume roofing fastener sold in North America by a wide margin. If you're walking into a Home Depot pro counter on a Monday morning during shingle season, this is the box on the pallet at the front.

When to use 1" coil nails

Use 1" coil nails for: standard 3-tab and architectural asphalt shingles installed over a single underlayment layer on 1/2" or 5/8" plywood or OSB. This covers probably 80% of residential re-roofs in the U.S.

Don't use 1" for: shingles installed over an existing layer (jurisdictions that allow re-roof-overs require longer nails to compensate for the extra material), thick architectural shingles where 1" doesn't clear the laminate plus deck minimum, or any roof with 1x sheathing or skip-sheathing common in older homes.

Coating choice: electro-galvanized is fine inland and away from coastal exposure but corrodes within 5-7 years near salt air. Hot-dip galvanized doubles that lifespan. Stainless is required by most manufacturer warranties within 3,000 feet of saltwater and is worth the upcharge anywhere on the East or Gulf Coast.

Code note: IRC R905.2.5 requires 12-gauge minimum (lower number = thicker) for asphalt shingles in most jurisdictions, with a head diameter of at least 3/8". Most quality 1" coil nails ship as 11-gauge with a 0.375"+ head, exceeding code. Check your AHJ for high-wind zones (Florida, coastal Carolinas) where heavier gauge or ring-shank may be required.