WHICH NAIL GUN, OR CELOTEX? Advice please.

ampersand

As above.

Searched forum for recent related posts, but none found.
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Lady pensioner, handy-ish at DIY, not obese/inactive, can scramble about lugging big weights/fixing things.

Need to clamber in loft to re-do hardboard roofing sheets, pitched roof, so limited access/leverage/space near eaves, which was an absolute gubber last time. This was 12 years ago, with fibrewool insulation packed in behind.

Saw last night that a corner of one sheet has dropped free, insulation fallen out. Several sheets are bowing. The nails used then were like panel pins, barely discernible heads. I was helper then, but solo now.

I'm looking for something decent to do the job with headed nails to keep the hardboard up. Probably won't be capable in my 80s.

Yes, always buy best tools poss. etc. - but finance is a factor.

Have B&Q ancient peeps discount card, valid Wednesdays:-). Online, they have these[oddly, 'nail gun' gives nothing at first.]
http://www.diy.com/departments/stanley-corded-240v-0-tre550-electric-nailer/182107_BQ.prd
http://www.diy.com/search/results/?question=nail+gun
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Now reading about Celotex or similar. I'm aware insulation technology has changed a lot recently.
Shall I use this instead? Will it be secure? rodent proof?
http://www.diy.com/help-advice/how-to-insulate-your-loft/CC_npcart_400221.art

All advice, with post-crimbo sales in mind, welcome. Thankyou.

benjus

I use a TRE550 for stapling (note that it's only £19 on Amazon). It's pretty good (although the staples often need a bash with a hammer to go fully in). I've never used it for nails though - note that it can only handle small brad nails up to 15mm long.

ampersand

Thankyou benjus - I'll take a look there. Know what you mean, re:need to bash.
There's no room to swing a hammer under eaves. Used 15mm before - okay with a head to hold it.
Good to see it's a Stanley, although names aren't everything any more. Not even Bosch.

phil24_7

You need a proper nail gun, not a brad nailer.

If the insulation is satisfactory I would stick with what you've got and just replace what has fallen out.

phil24_7

Is this for the underside of the roof?

If it's the roof, is there an air gap between the insulation and the roofing felt? should be at least 50mm. If not then I would look at pulling it all down and starting again. 50mm (total) PIR board (cellotex/kingspan/ecotherm) between and or across the rafters then the board screwed or nailed through into the rafter.

If it's the floor then just replace like for like.

stator

I had a stanley staple gun that looked similar to that. It died after a few months. That was quite a while ago, probably a different model.

My Tacwise staple gun is still going, though you have to replace the orange plastic heads quite often, they aren't too expensive on eBay. It did go wrong once but they sent me a replacement, very good customer service. (http://www.toolandfix.com/tacwise-0327-191el-master-nailer-pro-electric-stapler-and-tacker.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CPW6n4j1ksoCFZadGwod4yILfw)

ampersand

Thankyou for subsequent posts.
phil - #4 is all that's needed, a re-nailing job.

What's your suggestion for a nail gun, with fair quality vs oap budget in mind please?

It won't have much use.
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' If not then I would look at pulling it all down and starting again.' NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! :-)
Yes, it is pitched tiled roof, all required gaps fine.

phil24_7

So if your just re-flooring it it should be nice and easy. How deep are the floor joists? How much headroom do you have in the attic?

There should be no need to floor right into the eaves as you can't use it for much storage.

phil24_7

I would recommend renting a framing nailer to be honest. It's save you a lot of time and though the nails are quite expensive the costs is worth it with all the time you'll save.

ampersand

No, Phil - not re-doing anything. Just want to nail back a bit of under roof hardboard, with insulation behind it. Floor's still fine.
-as per #1
'Need to clamber in loft to re-do hardboard roofing sheets, pitched roof, so limited access/leverage/space near eaves, which was an absolute gubber last time. This was 12 years ago, with fibrewool insulation packed in behind.

Saw last night that a corner of one sheet has dropped free, insulation fallen out. Several sheets are bowing. The nails used then were like panel pins, barely discernible heads. I was helper then, but solo now.'
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Should have written 're-fix', rather than 're-do'.

I do appreciate your know-how.

phil24_7

So you have hardboard nailed to the underside of the rafters of your pitched roof and fibrewool packed between this and your battens and roofing felt?