Nail sizes range from 2d to 70d and 3-gauge (0.259”) to 15-gauge (0.072”). The standard practice for selecting a nail length is to choose a nail that has a length that is three times the thickness of the material. For roofing nails, the standard lengths fall between one and two inches, but go as high as six inches long. A sensible guide to follow is to create a minimum of 1/2" of penetration when fastening very thin materials into wood. For thin materials that weighs 50 or 75 pounds or more, make the depth of the penetration 1 1/2" to 2".
When installing soft material such as drywall or siding, add the thickness of the materials to the optimal nail length. For example, super-thick grade vinyl siding has a .05” thickness. You may decide to use stainless steel siding nails, and will need to add 1/20” to the nail’s length.
Make sure that you choose a nail that is appropriate for the environment. Although aluminum nails make a fine choice for shingle and metal roofs, you must also take into account outside elements, such as location and the environment, where salt or chemicals can have a negative effect on aluminum shank nails. Instead, select stainless steel ring shank nails, which can withstand such elements.
If you need a fastener solution that can be used just about any climate and resist corrosion, select nails with a stainless steel finish. Solutions like stainless steel ring shank nails not only show excellent strength and ductility, but also have an attractive appearance.