Replies

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Mar 22, 2019 09:14am|#1

   Dave,
   Cap nails are sold in a variety of lengths up to 8 inches long. Here is a source:
   Simplex cap nails

2. 
   Dave B|Mar 22, 2019 09:23am|#2

   Thanks, although that site is not working for me.

   Not sure I can get them up here in Ontario.

   Is the capnail the normal way to attach the second layer of insulation.

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Mar 22, 2019 09:30am|#3

   Dave,
   I'm not sure why that link doesn't work for you -- it works for me.

   Yes, cap nails are the usual method used. If for some reason you're having trouble finding long cap nails, try visiting a roofing supply house. In a pinch, you can just buy plastic insulation washers, and use any old long nail with the washers.

1. 
   Dave B|Mar 22, 2019 10:39am|#4

   Thanks Martin
   I will look into that option

3. 
   Dave B|Apr 05, 2019 05:17pm|#5

   So has anyone used an adhesive to attach exterior rigid foam insulation to sheathing and to other foam. Mine is a 3" papers/fibreglass face polyiso.
   I have tried finding 3 1/2 cap nails and larger 6 1/2 but have had no luck here in Ontario.
   The link Martin posted, doesn't work for me, I have tried different ways but maybe being in Canada it won't work??? ( They might not deal with Ontario anyway)
   I will be attaching furring strips for final attachment of foam
   Thanks

1. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Apr 05, 2019 05:21pm|#6

   Dave,
   Here's a source of cap nails in Ontario:
   http://www.grovehardware.com/nails/

   I don't know which lengths they stock.

   Undoubtedly, roofers in Ontario buy cap nails. You need to find out where the roofers get their supplies.

4. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Apr 05, 2019 05:26pm|#7

   Dave,
   Here are the Ontario locations of Beacon Roofing Supply. I don't know if they sell cap nails, but they should.

   Cambridge, ON
   42 Raglin Place
   Cambridge, ON N1R 7J2
   PH: (519) 624-8703
   Watt: (877) 750-1750
   Fax: (519) 624-1300

   Concord, ON
   8400 Keele St #1
   Concord, ON L4K 2A6
   PH: (905) 761-1762
   Watt: (800) 387-3195
   FX: (905) 761-0834

   London, ON
   1285 Hubrey Rd,
   London, ON N6N 1E2
   PH: (519) 685-0666
   Watt: (866) 710-5008
   FX: (519) 685-1355

   Ottawa, ON
   2801 Sheffield Rd
   Ottawa, ON K1B 3V8
   PH: (613) 744-5119
   Watt: (866) 268-1003
   FX: (613) 746-0839

   Whitby, ON
   202 South Blair Street #36
   Whitby, ON L1N 1A7
   PH: (905) 666-5648
   Watt: (844) 237-6150
   FX: (905) 666-0795

1. 
   Dave B|Apr 05, 2019 06:47pm|#8

   Thanks Martin

   I will try some of local ones on Monday, it seems 3" is the longest most have.
   The first link was Ontario California, which I am sure you caught after posting, but I am sure they would have had what I needed.
   As I said 3" seems to be the longest of any cap nails available around me, what would a roofer use long cap nails for?

1. Expert Member
   Malcolm Taylor|Apr 05, 2019 07:39pm|#9

   Dave,

   You can also buy just the caps and use any nail or screw that will work.
   https://www.amazon.ca/Ideal-Security-Inc-SKPHC-Plastic/dp/B005TE3C1G/ref=sr_1_29?keywords=cap+nails&qid=1554507524&s=gateway&sr=8-29

1. 
   Dave B|Apr 05, 2019 07:44pm|#10

   Thanks Malcolm,
   I will look into this, hopefully I can find small 6 1/2" nails, I don't want spikes. :)

1. Expert Member
   Malcolm Taylor|Apr 05, 2019 08:20pm|#11

   Might be worth using something like GRK R4 screws. I think they stock them at most Lowes.

5. 
   Joel Cheely|Apr 06, 2019 10:39am|#12

   I bought a box of 500 plastic caps from Amazon. I used them and a variety of lengths of deck screws for securing foam layers as I went. The caps have a fairly small diameter, but 2 or 3 in a sheet of insulation held even when it got windy. A lot easier to hold a sheet and operate a screw gun rather than a hammer when you're working by yourself!

6. 
   Dave B|Apr 06, 2019 12:12pm|#13

   Thanks Joel, I thought about doing it that way, since I am doing it myself. Not sure if they make small 6 1/2" screws.

   Malcolm, I am using GRK screws for attaching the furring strips, there a little pricey for temporary fasteners. Thanks

7. 
   Dave B|Apr 09, 2019 09:10am|#14

   So strike out so far for getting a cap nail larger than 3" at least here in Ontario, Canada. ( Tried 6 different roofing supply companies in my area) I
   Any Canadians ever buy long cap nails???
   I going to try Simplex, but I have to change my IP address just to get on there site, not sure what that's about?
   Anyone else has any ideas to temporarily attach 2 layers of 3" paper face polyiso to my sheathing, I am all ears, I didn't think this would be the problem in building a energy efficient house!

   Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.....

1. Expert Member
   Akos|Apr 09, 2019 09:37am|#15

   Dave,

   Call Spar Marathon and ask for deck screws. They come in either 6" or 7" no 6 1/2.

1. 
   Dave B|Apr 09, 2019 01:29pm|#18

   Thanks, they didn't come up in my Google search.
   But they have 7" screws! $150 per 500
   Thanks again saved me!

2. GBA Editor
   Martin Holladay|Apr 09, 2019 09:46am|#16

   Dave,
   Q. "Anyone else has any ideas to temporarily attach 2 layers of 3 inch paper-faced polyiso to my sheathing? I am all ears."

   A. Unclog those ears! Two and a half weeks ago, on March 22 (in Comment #3), I wrote, "You can just buy plastic insulation washers, and use any old long nail [or screw] with the washers."

1. 
   Dave B|Apr 09, 2019 01:35pm|#19

   Martin I was told you're not supposed to use Q-tips in your ears!!!

   不幸的是在一个小town you ask local lumber yard for a 6/7" screws or nails, they hand you a spike or a timber screw. And when I tell them it's needs to be smaller and for exterior insulation, they look at me like I have two heads and they are both green.
   They also don't sell caps, thankful Amazon does.

3. Expert Member
   Zephyr7|Apr 09, 2019 10:58am|#17

   If it’s just temporary, you could use furring strips as battens to hold the polyiso sheets up until you are ready to permanently fasten them. This would limit the number of temporary fasteners you’d need.

   You can get long screws of reasonable (less than 1/4” diameter), but they’re usually a special order item. I know Spax makes some, I’m sure there are other options too.

   Bill