R-Tight Panel
PO Box 700
Jeffersonville, VT 05464-0700

phone
(802) 644-2500

fax
(802) 644-2773

email info@rtight.com

Tools of the Trade

E. Hammer. Yes, an ordinary carpenter’s hammer is an important tool for you. We emphasize the importance of pre-nailing panels on the ground before you place them on your frame (see Figure 10b). Be sure to pre-drill the OSB layer before nailing. This saves blows to your fingers and helps avoid smashing through the OSB if you miss a swing. In addition, pre-nailing helps you in other ways. First, with several people on the panel crew, two can cut and pre-nail your panels, while others place and nail the panels onto your frame. Second, with thick roof panels, you need to start your nails at the right spacing and angle to make sure they nail into your rafters at the right place to avoid breaking through the edges of your timbers. Pre-nailing on the ground (not the roof) gets you started right, in a controlled environment that’s easy to work in.

> PANEL LAYOUT DIAGRAM