Clout Nails for Roofing Felt: The Fix That Holds the Roof Down

Ask any roofer what keeps roofing felt flat through wind, rain and hot sun, and the answer is short: clout nails. These big flat head nails are the quiet workhorse of every felt roof, shed and outbuilding in the world. They are cheap, they drive fast, and they hold felt flat from the day they are hammered in. This guide explains what makes a good clout nail, how to match it to the job, and why buyers should look past the price and check the zinc.

We are Linyi Dabao hardware Products co., ltd, a nail factory in Linyi, Shandong. We make clout nails from 3/4 to 3 inch in Q195 steel, EG and HDG, and we will have the full range at the Canton Fair next week.

What a Clout Nail Actually Is

A clout nail is a roofing felt nail with an unusually large, flat head and a diamond point. The head is the whole point of the design: it spreads the load over the soft felt, so the nail holds the felt down without tearing through it. The diamond point lets the nail start cleanly and drive straight into the roof boards. Lengths run from 3/4 to 3 inch, with shank diameters from 2.5 to 4mm.

The Big Head Is Not a Decoration

Roofing felt is soft. A thin head punches through; a big flat head holds. When felt flaps loose, wind gets under it and tears the sheet, and one loose sheet can strip a whole roof. The big head of a roofing felt nail keeps every sheet pinned edge to edge, so the roof stays one continuous surface.

EG or HDG: Never Skip the Zinc

Felt roofs live outside, and outside means moisture. EG clout nails carry a thin zinc layer for dry roofing work and covered areas. HDG clout nails have a thicker hot dip zinc that stands up to rain, coastal air and condensation, the right choice for exposed roofs and damp climates. A cheap bright nail rusts in a season and stains the felt; the zinc is what makes the roof last.

Match the Length to the Board

The nail must reach through the felt and into the board with enough bite to hold. Short 3/4 inch clout nails suit thin sheathing and re-fixing jobs. The 1 to 1.5 inch range is the daily workhorse for most felt roofs. Long 2 to 3 inch clout nails drive through thicker decking and battens. If you stock the full range, you cover every roof on the street.

Q195 Steel: Soft Enough to Drive, Hard Enough to Hold

Clout nails are drawn from Q195 low carbon steel wire. Q195 drives easily without bending under the hammer, and the soft wire grips the timber without splitting thin boards. That balance is what keeps a felt fixing job fast, and it is why Q195 is the standard for roofing felt nails.

Smooth or Ring Shank?

Most clout nails are smooth shank, fast to drive and plenty for flat felt work. Ring shank clout nails add extra grip where the roof takes hammering, such as high-wind areas and long runs of loose-laid felt. Keep smooth as the core stock and ring shank for the exposed jobs.

What to Check Before You Buy

1. Is the zinc real, and what is the coating thickness?

2. Is the head genuinely flat and wide, not domed thin?

3. Do the lengths cover the 3/4 to 3 inch range?

4. Can I mix EG and HDG in one order?

We answer all four the same day, and samples go out within the week.

See the Range at the Canton Fair, Five Days Away

The 140th Canton Fair (Autumn 2026) opens on October 15 and runs to October 19 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China. We will be in the Hardware Hall, booth 13.1F39, with the full clout nails range, EG and HDG side by side, and a roof board to nail into at the booth.

We are a nail factory in Linyi, Shandong, shipping clout nails and the full nail range worldwide from Qingdao Port, with OEM packing and factory-direct pricing. Send us your roof board thickness, and we come back with samples and a quotation the same week.