Roofing hammers are fundamental tools in almost all construction activities. Finding the best one means no more accidents or nails dropping. Great hammers provide you with reliability and precision. You get a sense of comfort knowing you can depend on them to get the job done efficiently.
In this review, we break down the top 3 picks for roofing hammers. Dive in and start looking for the best hammer for roofing.
Best Roofing Hammer
You need a hammer for any type of roofing job you’re planning. Hammers can do almost everything. You need them to pound nails, remove staples, cut shingles, and lots more.
Here’s an in-depth review of the 3 best hammers for roofing on the 2020 market.
AJC Hatchet MWT-005-MH – Best Overall
Description
One of the most reliable roofing hatchets on the market, the AJC is made from wood and steel. It weighs 1.64 lbs. Its length is 13.5 inches. The handle is 12.5 inches and the head is 6.5 inches long.
It has a built-in gauge, utility knife, and nail claw. It’s functional and user-friendly. This roofing hatchet guarantees high-quality long-lasting performance on every job.
Performance
The AJC roofing hatchet is best known for its quick and efficient application. It’s patent-pending and comes with a neodymium magnet on the striking face. This powerful hatchet also features a nail claw for pulling nails.
There’s also a utility blade to help cut shingles, as well as under-layers. Plus, there’s a sliding gauge which can easily be replaced.
It can be somewhat tedious to find new replacements. The handle is made of solid wood, but it’s still considered lightweight compared to other brands.
Pros
- Magnetic head for better traction on nails
- Adjustable gauge
- Nail claw to pull out nails and staples
- Serrated face
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not a replacement for your regular hammer
- Finding new blades can be difficult
Picard 0079010 – Best Functionality
Description
This German-built roofing hammer features a solid steel shank and a comfortable leather handle. They’re forged together to prevent twisting.
It’s 2 lbs with an overall length of 12.5 inches. The handle is 11 inches and the head is 7 inches. It has a cross-hatch face and a magnetic nail holder situated in the head.
The Picard lives up to its high safety standards to provide you with a comfortable, reliable tool. This is your go-to gadget that guarantees the job gets done with speed and skill.
Performance
The Picard is great at doing all kinds of slate roofing jobs. It’s also optimal for regular hammer usages, such as construction and carpentry. It delivers top-quality performance while reducing the risk of mishaps or accidents.
The pointed tip can punch holes in the slates with ease and precision. The shank and handle are forged together to form one piece for extra safety and reliability.
Plus, the magnetic nail holder gives you a strong start and prevents accidents. Remember that only the nail holder is magnetic, and not the whole head of the hammer.
Pros
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- GS-tested safety
- Pointed tip for punching holes
- Forged solid steel shank with leather handle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only the nail holder is magnetic, not the entire head
- The leather on the handle wears away and fades
Estwing E3/239MM – Best Grip
Description
The Estwing roofing-hammer head and handle are forged in one piece. The entire hammer is 13.7 inches. Its handle is 12.5 inches long, and the magnetized head is 6.5 inches long.
This hammer weighs 2.17 lbs. It’s made from solid steel while the handle is made from vinyl to provide you with the best grip and highest safety standards.
Estwing’s German design is made from solid steel. Its unique Shock Reduction Grip provides you with functionality and convenience. It also helps reduce vibration and arm fatigue.
Performance
This Estwing roofing hammer is specially designed for the roofing trade. It has a spike for making holes in the slate. It also has a nail claw for pulling out old nails. The head is magnetized for a better grip on the nails.
It’s important to note that the head isn’t rust-resistant. This means it needs proper after-use care and storage. The Estwing hammer is best known for its renowned shock reduction grip. This exclusive feature absorbs up to 70% of vibrations.
Pros
- Spike end is great for slate shingles
- Nail claw
- Attached head and handle
- Rubber handle for a safer hold
- Serrated face for optimal nail grip
- Head has nail setter for easier nailing
Cons
- Heavier than other brands
- Head is prone to rust
Best Roofing Hammers in 2020: A Quick Guide
Are you on the hunt for a hammer that cuts and nails down shingles? Here’s everything you need to know to get the job done right.
What are Roofing Hammers?
Roofing hammers are specially designed to cut shingles and nail them down. Finding that right balance between driving the nail in too much or not enough is critical. If nails are pounded too far in, this may result in water entering through the roof. But if the nails aren’t secured enough, the shingles won’t adhere properly and will fall off.
That’s how important nailing is, and proper nailing can’t be done without the proper roofing hammer.
Parts of a Roofing Hammer
In recent years, roofing hammers have come a long way in terms of their features and capabilities. They come with magnetized heads to pick up stray nails. Some have built-in gauges to measure and level out your shingles.
Here are other features that make roofing hammers unique.
- Head
The head is the top part of the hammer. On one side is the face, while the other side has the nail claw. The head may have grooves or holes to help you measure the distance between shingles. This distance is known as ‘shingle exposure’.
- Face
The face is the part that comes in contact with the nail. Some have a checkered design called a milled face. This helps in boosting the traction on the nail and reducing the risk of it falling or bouncing off.
- Claw
Opposite the face, you’ll find the nail claw. This is mainly used to pull out old nails or staples. On roofing hammers, nail claws are also used to lift and remove old shingles. Some hammers have sharp nail claws that are able to cut shingles.
- Handle
Handles can be covered in rubber for a better grip. They vary in length. The heavier the hammer, the shorter the handle. In the next section, we’ll discuss the different materials that make up the actual handle.
What to Look For
While the concept may seem straightforward, there’s a lot that goes into picking the best hammer for roofing. Here are a few pointers to help get you started.
Handles
There are three basic handle types, steel, wood, and fiberglass.
Steel
Steel handles are durable and long-lasting. Yet the downside is they don’t fully absorb the vibration and shock with each use. This can result in pain spreading through your wrist, up to your arm and shoulders. Some users have even complained of neck pain after using steel-handled hammers for prolonged periods
Wood
Wood handles are optimal for absorbing shocks. They’re easy to handle and provide a good grip. Yet they’re not as sturdy and may be prone to splitting or shattering from excessive use.
Fiberglass
Out of the three different types of handles, fiberglass is the most durable. Yet, as with all things, it requires proper maintenance to keep it in tiptop condition.
Weight
The standard weight of a hammer is 1.3 lbs (21 oz). But there are a good number of hammers for all various kinds of uses whose weight ranges from 0.5 to 2 lbs (8-32 oz). So to know which one is right for you, you have to decide what you’ll be using it for. You also have to give it several swings to make sure it’s a comfortable fit.
Price
We all know, the higher the price, the better the quality. So it comes down to how often you’ll be using your hammer. If you regularly work on projects and are in constant need of a reliable hammer, then pick one with a higher price tag. You’ll take comfort knowing that your hammer is durable and built to last.
But, if you’re just looking for something that gets the job done, then you should pick the hammer with the best features and the lowest price. It may sound impossible, but there are many good ones on the market that won’t make a huge impact on your budget.
Conclusion
The best hammers for roofing offer skilled precision and dependability. They’re accurate and efficient at handling various tasks.
There are those who claim nailing guns are faster and easier to use. Yet they still concur that roofing hammers will never go out of style. Manufacturers keep coming up with new and improved designs, features, and capabilities that make these tools a must-have in every household.
