NRCA recommends that roofing nails should be which gauge?

The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends using 11-gauge roofing nails for various roofing applications due to their optimal balance of strength and ease of use. An 11-gauge nail offers sufficient durability to penetrate both the roofing material and the underlying structure, providing reliable fastening and resistance to pull-through forces. This gauge is also thin enough to ensure that the nail can be easily driven without excessive force, which helps to minimize potential damage to the roofing materials.

Using nails that are too thick, such as 8 or 10-gauge, can result in increased difficulty during installation and can potentially lead to material damage from overdriving. In contrast, nails that are too thin, like 14-gauge, may not provide the necessary strength and holding power, increasing the risk of the roofing system being compromised due to fastener failure. Therefore, 11-gauge nails are seen as the industry standard for achieving a balance between strength and installation efficiency, aligning with NRCA's guidelines for effective roofing practices.