Clout Nails: Why the Big Flat Head Matters for Roofing Work

Look at a clout nail next to a common nail and one thing stands out immediately: the head. A clout nail carries a wide, flat head on a short, thin shank, and that shape is not a design accident. It is the reason roofing felt stays pinned down in wind, rain and heat. This article explains what a clout nail is, why the big flat head exists, and what to look for when you order them for roofing work.

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, and we export them worldwide from Qingdao Port.

What a Clout Nail Is

A clout nail, also called a roofing felt nail or a felt nail, is a short wire nail with a large flat head and a diamond point. The shank is thin, from about 2.5 to 4mm, and the head spreads wide to hold soft materials. It is the standard fastener for roofing felt, sarking, underlayment, linoleum and any sheet material that a small head would tear through.

Why the Big Flat Head

The big head is the whole point of a clout nail. When you nail down roofing felt, the material is thin and soft, so a small head would pull through the first time wind lifts the sheet. The wide flat head spreads the holding pressure over a larger area, so the felt stays pinned even in strong weather. The same logic applies to waterproof membranes, vapor barriers and felt layers, which is why roofers reach for clout nails every time.

Finish: EG and HDG for Wet Roofs

Roofing is a wet job, so the finish matters as much as the head. Electro galvanized clout nails carry a thin zinc layer, a solid choice for standard felt roofing. Hot dip galvanized clout nails wear a heavier zinc coat for coastal air, damp climates and long service life. Both finishes resist the rust that bare nails pick up after one season on a roof.

Sizes and Shanks

Clout nails run from 3/4 to 3 inch, with smooth and ring shank options. Smooth shank clout nails drive fast and suit most felt work. Ring shank clout nails grip harder and are preferred where the felt will face strong wind lift or where the timber is soft. The right length depends on the timber thickness: the nail should bite deep enough to hold without poking through the board.

Where Clout Nails Are Used

Roofing felt and sarking are the main jobs, but clout nails go further. They fix underlayment and vapor barriers under tiles and shingles. They hold linoleum and carpet felt on floors. Builders use them for greenhouse roofs, shed roofs, loft boards and any spot where a wide, low-profile head is needed on thin material. The same nail solves most of those jobs, which is why it is a stock item in every roofing supply shop.

Meet Us at the 140th Canton Fair

The 140th Canton Fair is running now, October 15 to 19, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, China. Hardware Hall, booth 13.1F39. Come and check the clout nails in person, or send us a message through our website and we will follow up with samples and prices. Contact Linyi Dabao hardware Products co., ltd for a quotation.