Should Roofing Nails Be Exposed?

Roofing nails should be long enough to penetrate the roofing material and go 19 mm into OSB, solid wood, plywood or non-veneer wood decking, or through thickness of decking, whichever is less.

Are roofing nails supposed to go through?

Yes, your roofing nails should go through the sheathing. It's important to use roofing nails that are long enough to penetrate the sheathing. With the shingles and 1/2-inch sheathing, the nails should protrude about 1/4 inch through. It is best to use 1 1/4-inch nails for the job.

Should roofing nails be exposed in attic?

Yes, and there are two types of nails that are normal to see in an attic: 1) The ring-shank nails used to secure asphalt shingles to the plywood or OSB roof sheathing typically penetrate into the attic 1/4” or more.