The size of the nail zone is an important feature of a roofing shingle. If it's too narrow and nails are not placed correctly in that space, the shingles could delaminate and leaks can occur. From leaks and wind damage to warranty issues, the list of potential problems is long.
A large nailing area can make shingles easier and quicker to install while also increasing nail placement accuracy to help secure them better to the roof structure. That's why GAF's Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology* were designed with the StrikeZone™ Nailing Area, the industry's largest nail zone.
Here's a look at how this technology might benefit your business.
Why a Larger Nailing Area Matters
The issues caused by misplaced nails could be significant. A nail placed too low on a standard shingle—called a shiner—could be visible and susceptible to rust. This could allow water to get to the roof deck, causing potential rot and other damage. If a nail is placed too high on a standard shingle, it may not hit the common bond and the shingle may delaminate. This could allow water or wind to play havoc with your roofing project, leading to lost time or expensive callbacks.
Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology and the StrikeZone™ Nailing Area minimize these issues by providing a nailing target that is 1.81" wide. The industry's largest nailing area, it's 600% larger than standard Timberline® HD Shingles. This makes it easier for installers to properly hit the zone.
Install Shingles Faster and More Accurately
While there's a learning curve for using any new product, Timberline® Shingles with the StrikeZone™ Nailing Area are designed to be quick and easy to use. These shingles have LayerLock™ technology, which mechanically fuses the two layers of the laminate shingle together, according to Dan Witte, Senior Product Manager at GAF. This allows for an oversized nailing area because the nail no longer has to penetrate the common bond of the shingle in most applications.**
In a test performed at Home Innovations Research Lab, an independent lab in Maryland, a contractor installed Timberline® HD Shingles and Timberline® HDZ Shingles on a sixteen square roof deck using the standard four nail installation.✝ With the increased size and visibility of the nailing area, workers were able to fasten the Timberline® HDZ Shingles 30% faster than the standard ones, and their nail placement accuracy was 99.9%.✝ This is a significant improvement over the 55% nailing accuracy achieved with the standard shingles.
The test confirmed what GAF had surmised: a larger nailing area provides increased nailing speed and improved accuracy in nail placement. These benefits ultimately help installers save time and reduce issues caused by misplaced nails.
Stronger Sealing and Wind Resistance
Besides the improved accuracy and faster nailing speeds, Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology also provide a smooth mico granule surface for the sealant to contact. GAF's proprietary Dura Grip™ sealant pairs with the smooth micro granule surface of the StrikeZone™ nailing area for fast tack. Then, an asphalt-to-asphalt monolithic bond cures for durability, strength, and exceptional wind uplift performance. When installed with the required combination of four qualifying GAF accessories, Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology are eligible for the WindProven™ limited wind warranty, the industry's first wind warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation.✝✝
Other Benefits
The new shingles can be installed using the same materials, equipment, and tools as Timberline® HDZ Shingles, so you could get on with your job without any major new investments or retrainings.
With their excellent performance and increased nailing speed and accuracy, Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology offer unique value to you and your customers.
*For a list of GAF Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology visit gaf.com/LRS and refer to the second page.
**Mansard style roofs require special installation. See application instructions on inside of package for details.
✝Test performed under controlled laboratory conditions. Actual results may vary.
✝✝15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty on Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology requires the use of GAF starter strips, roof deck protection, ridge cap shingles, and leak barrier or attic ventilation. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions. Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products.
