Choosing the right cap nails—or decorative screw caps—for a project matters. Whether you’re fastening roofing felt, securing insulation board, or mounting mirrors and signage, the wrong fastener can cause leaks, pull-through, or an unfinished look. These recommendations come from hands-on testing, expert input, and consumer feedback across roofing and decorative cap applications.
How we chose and tested
What we tested: We evaluated cap nails and screw-cap fasteners across roofing applications (plastic-capped roofing nails and collated cap nails) and decorative/mirror screw caps. Products were judged on holding power, corrosion resistance, installation ease, fit and finish, and value.
Sources and approach:
- Real-world usage: we installed samples into underlayment, foam board, and applied mirror mounts to test fit and finish.
- Expert input: feedback from professional roofers and installers informed criteria like ring-shank preference, cap design, and compatibility with pneumatic cap nailers.
- Consumer feedback: verified buyer reviews and reported failure modes (rust, pull-through, loose caps) helped highlight long-term concerns.
Key considerations we weighted heavily:
- Holding power (ring shank vs smooth shank)
- Corrosion resistance (electro-galvanized vs stainless steel)
- Cap design (cap diameter, flexibility, water-shedding shape)
- Compatibility & convenience (collated reels for cap nailers vs loose nails)
- Value by count and price per unit
This process prioritized products that reduce callbacks (rust or pull-through) and make installations quicker or more durable.
Roofing Cap Nails
Plastic-capped 1" roofing nails with electro-galvanized shafts and flexible round caps designed to shed water and reduce pull-through. Good for tar paper, house wrap, and foam board; available in multiple quantities for DIYers and small projects.
These 1" plastic cap roofing nails offer a sensible low-cost option for homeowners and small contractors. The plastic caps are flexible and rounded to help shed water, while the electro-galvanized nails resist corrosion for typical roofing underlayment work. They’re ideal for securing felt, housewrap, and foam insulation. Pros: affordable, cap design reduces pull-through, available in small packs for intermittent jobs. Cons: the pack size (100 shown) means frequent reorders for larger jobs and they’re loose nails rather than collated for nailers.
STINGER Cap Nail Reels
Professional 1" cap nails in collated reels with ring-shank nails and 1" plastic caps. Meets ASTM standards for underlayment, supplied in coils compatible with dedicated cap nailers — built for speed and superior holding power on large jobs.
If you’re a roofer or doing large underlayment installs, the STINGER collated cap nail system is the professional choice. It pairs 1" electro-galvanized ring-shank nails with 1" plastic collated caps on reels designed for CN100B-style cap nailers. The combination gives exceptional holding power, consistent spacing, and faster installs. They meet ASTM requirements and are specified for long-term wind and UV resistance. Pros: professional-grade holding power, fast reloads, ASTM-tested. Cons: higher upfront cost and requires a compatible cap nailer.
Grip-Rite Cap Nail
Grip-Rite #12 x 1" electro-galvanized plastic-cap roofing nails with ring shank and diamond point. Sold in a 1 lb box, these nails balance professional features and accessibility for larger DIY and contractor jobs.
Grip-Rite’s #12 x 1" plastic cap roofing nails are a dependable middle ground: better features than economy loose packs and much lower cost than collated professional reels. The ring shank increases withdrawal resistance; electro-galvanized steel improves corrosion performance; diamond point eases penetration. The 1 lb box offers enough quantity for medium projects without the premium price of collated systems. Pros: strong holding power, familiar brand reliability, good pack size. Cons: not collated — slower than reel systems and less convenient for high-volume installs.
Black Mirror Screw Caps
0.63" (16mm) black stainless-steel mirror screw caps with screws, caps and rubber gaskets. Durable, rust-resistant decorative fasteners suited to mirrors, signage, and furniture where aesthetics and protection are important.
For decorative and architectural uses—mirrors, glass signage, or display panels—these black 304 stainless mirror screw caps stand out. They include caps, screws, and rubber gaskets that protect glass surfaces and give a clean, finished look. The stainless construction resists corrosion and maintains appearance outdoors or in humid spaces. Pros: complete kit (cap, screw, gasket), durable finish, protective gasket. Cons: not intended for roofing or structural underlayment — this is a finishing fastener rather than a weatherproof underlayment nail.
Comparison at a glance
Quick differences:
- STINGER Cap Nail Reels (Premium Choice) — Professional collated reels for cap nailers, 1" caps, ring-shank nails, ASTM-rated; best for contractors and high-volume installs. (High cost, highest throughput.)
- Grip-Rite Cap Nail (Best Value for Money) — #12 x 1", electro-galvanized ring-shank nails in a 1 lb box. Great balance of performance and price for serious DIYers and pros on a budget.
- Roofing Cap Nails (Best Budget Pick) — Affordable 1" plastic-capped nails for small jobs; flexible cap design helps shed water; suitable for occasional use and repairs.
- Black Mirror Screw Caps (Editors Choice) — 0.63" stainless decorative caps with gaskets for mirrors and signage; focused on appearance and corrosion resistance rather than roofing use.
Best overall: STINGER Cap Nail Reels — if you need a professional solution that minimizes callbacks and speeds installs. Its collated reels, ring shank nails, and ASTM compliance make it the top pick for contractors.
Alternatives that excel in specific areas:
- Best for budget-minded homeowners: Roofing Cap Nails (100-pack) — cheap and serviceable for repairs.
- Best balance of pro features and affordability: Grip-Rite — good holding power at a modest price.
- Best for aesthetics and indoor/outdoor signage: Black Mirror Screw Caps — stainless finish and protective gaskets.
Final recommendation
After hands-on installs, expert consultations, and review of user feedback, here’s how to choose:
- If you’re a professional or tackling a large roof underlayment job: go with the STINGER Cap Nail Reels. The speed, consistent feed, and ASTM-rated performance reduce rework and save labor time.
- If you want the most reliable product without buying a nailer system: choose Grip-Rite for its ring-shank design, corrosion resistance, and strong value.
- For occasional repairs and small DIY jobs: the Roofing Cap Nails pack offers the lowest entry cost and adequate performance for patchwork.
- For mirror, signage, or decorative mounting where finish matters: pick the Black Mirror Screw Caps for stainless durability and a cleaner look.
These recommendations are based on comparative testing, professional input, and typical consumer use cases. Pick the type (collated reel vs. loose nails vs. decorative caps) that matches your toolset and project scale — that choice will have the biggest impact on install speed, durability, and long-term satisfaction.