Photo: Porter-Cable
Although siding installation is not a task that you will often do, it will still have a great implication on your house from its appearance to its value.
Hence, you need to make sure that you always get it right by not only choosing a good siding material but also using the best siding nailer for the job.
These nailers will shoot nails between 1-1/4 and 2-1/2 inches long and unlike the framing nailers that were traditionally used to install siding, they will not leave large and unsightly holes that require filling.
To help you find that perfect siding nailer for your projects, below we provide top 6 siding nailer reviews and a detailed buying guide.
In this post:
- Siding Nailer vs. Roofing Nailer
- 6 Best Siding Nailers – Review
- 1. Makita AN611 – Best Overall
- 2. Bostitch N66C-1 – Impressive Quality Bostitch Siding Nailer
- 3. Max CN565S3 – Great Choice for Professional Siding Contractors
- 4. Hitachi NV75AN – Power Meets Precision
- 5. Freeman PCN65 – Excellent Value for Cash
- 6. Porter-Cable FN250C – Cheap But Well-Built & Feature-rich
- How to Buy the Best Siding Nailers
- Conclusion
Siding Nailer vs. Roofing Nailer
Given that the siding and roofing nailers look quite similar, many inexperienced users often confuse them. Hence, it is important to know what sets the two apart to be able to pick the right one for the job.
Siding Nailers
Siding nailers are specifically designed for installing siding, and they will work with typical siding materials like wood and vinyl.
These nailers will shoot longer ring shank nails (between 1-1/4 and 2-1/2 inches long) with special grooves built to hold the siding material for their lifetime.
The extra length of the siding nails stems from the fact that they will have to hold more weight and they will be typically at least one-inch longer than roofing nails.
And since the actual length of siding nails will depend on the siding material they are designed for, many siding nailers will come with a depth of drive adjustment to accommodate different nail lengths.
The depth of drive adjustment makes them more precise and also enhances their versatility because, besides siding installation, these nailers can also be used for a few other applications.
Roofing Nailers
The roofing nailers are purposely built for installing roofing shingles. And this means that they are made to drive nails through the common roofing shingle material like fiberglass and asphalt.
What truly sets the roofing nailers apart from siding nailers is the kind of nails they shoot. Given that you will need to replace the roofing shingles after 10 to 20 years or even more frequently in case of weather damages, the roofing nails are designed to be easy to remove.
Roofing nails will have a smooth shank that makes them easier to remove and a wider head that will ensure they hold the roofing material securely in place.
The basic design of roofing nailers remains the same, but the length will vary according to the material but the longest roofing nails are around 1-3/4 inches.
Since roofing nailers are built for a single task, most will not have a depth of drive adjustment like the siding nailer, and this limits their usefulness for other applications.
6 Best Siding Nailers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Makita AN611 (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Bostitch N66C-1 (Best Bostitch) |
| |
 | 3. Max CN565S3 (Great for Professionals) |
| |
 | 4. Hitachi NV75AN (Power Meets Precision) |
| |
 | 5. Freeman PCN65 (Excellent Value for Cash) |
| |
 | 6. Porter-Cable FN250C (Cheap But Well-Built & Feature-rich) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Makita AN611 (Best Overall)
|
2. Bostitch N66C-1 (Best Bostitch)
|
3. Max CN565S3 (Great Choice for Professionals)
|
4. Hitachi NV75AN (Power Meets Precision)
|
5. Freeman PCN65 (Excellent Value for Cash)
|
6. Porter-Cable FN250C (Cheap But Well-Built & Feature-rich)
|
1. Makita AN611 – Best Overall
Photo: Makita
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 300-400 nails
- Weight: 5 pounds
With a 3-mode selector switch and ability to accommodate nails up to 2-1/2 inches long, this siding nailer is designed for versatility as it will be ideal for a variety of projects.
Also, it is an easy-to-use nailer that comes with a simple loading nail canister that minimizes downtimes and a comfortable rubber grip that makes it more comfortable to operate.
Safety is taken care of by the multidirectional exhaust port that makes it easy to direct the exhaust air away from the user, and this nailer will also not damage the workpiece as it comes with smooth nose tip and rubber bumpers.
You can be confident of always getting precise nail drive when using this Makita siding nailer as it has a tool-less nail depth adjustment with up to 9 settings.
Other things like the built-in air filter that prevent dust and debris from getting into the tool and noise-reducing silent sheet also help to make this one of the best coil siding nailers out there.
The instructions for clearing jams do not seem very clear and might not be very helpful for beginners, but if you have used a power nailer before, this should not be an issue as it is easy to figure out.
Pros:
- Multiple-mode selector switch
- Convenient multidirectional exhaust port
- Easy loading nail canister
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Simple and tool-less depth adjustment
Cons:
- Poor jam clearing instructions
- Relatively pricier
2. Bostitch N66C-1 – Impressive Quality Bostitch Siding Nailer
Photo: Bostitch
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 300 nails
- Weight: 4.7 pounds
Bostitch N66C-1 is a top-rated siding nailer from a top brand that has been built to make siding installation faster and much easier.
This siding nailer feature a lightweight and durable aluminum housing that makes it highly durable and with adjustable drive depth for more precise nail driving.
Also, the nailer offers a tool-less adjustable exhaust that allows users to direct the exhaust air away for safety and convenience.
With the soft rubber foot, you can use the nailer without damaging your delicate siding material, and it has a comfortable and ergonomic grip and is designed to work with almost any air compressor for more user convenience.
The nail holder is made from plastic which might be a turn off for some buyers, but this should not be a big concern as it is designed to offer a long service life.
Pros:
- Quick and convenient depth adjustment
- Lightweight and highly durable housing
- Convenient tool-free exhaust adjustment
- Protective rubber foot
- Works with any air compressor
Cons:
- Magazine is plastic
- Struggles a little with harder siding materials
3. Max CN565S3 – Great Choice for Professional Siding Contractors
Photo: Max
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 400 nails
- Weight: 5 pounds
A professional siding contractor will require a more powerful and dependable tool like the Max CN565S3 as they have to use it a lot on different material types.
The larger 400-nail capacity also makes it even more ideal for professionals as it reduces the reloading frequency to minimize downtimes.
Many users will appreciate the no-mar tip as it helps to protect delicate siding material from dents and scratches and the anti-double fire mechanism that prevents double nailing.
Also, this siding nailer includes a slim guide contact arm for more precise nailing, a maintenance-free end cap filter, and an easy twist adjustable deflector. And this is generally a well-built nailer designed to last long that includes a comfortable rubber grip.
Although this Max product is the priciest item among our siding nailer review, for a professional-grade tool it is still quite fairly priced and given its quality and features, it is worth what you pay for it.
Pros:
- Lager capacity magazine
- No-mar tip
- Shoots both wire and plastic collated nails
- Convenient anti-double fire mechanism
Cons:
- More expensive
4. Hitachi NV75AN – Power Meets Precision
Photo: Hitachi
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 300 nails
- Weight: 6.3 pounds
Hitachi is a top power tool brand that will hardly ever disappoint and as you shop for a siding nailer, it should be one of your top consideration.
Their model NV75AN shows why both DIY enthusiasts and pro contractors trust their product as it is a highly powerful siding nailer designed for user convenience and precise nail driving.
The top-notch siding nailer offers super-fast nail driving as it can sink up to 3 nails per second and offers both bump and sequential trigger option.
With this siding nailer, you also get a side loading magazine for fast and simple reloads, open nose design to ensure fast jam removal, tool-less depth adjustment and a 360-degree adjustable exhaust that will direct air away from the user.
At 6.3 pounds, this Hitachi siding nailer is the heaviest on our list, but the weight is still manageable even for beginners, and it is mostly due to its heavy-duty construction and should hence not be a dealbreaker.
Pros:
- Powerful and precise nail drive
- Fast and easy reloading
- Offers two trigger options
- Easy jam removal
- Tool-less depth adjustment
Cons:
- Relatively heavier nailer
- Some options can be quite pricey
5. Freeman PCN65 – Excellent Value for Cash
Photo: Freeman
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 400 nails
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
Freeman’s PCN65 siding nailer will ensure you get great value for cash as it is the second most affordable model on our list, and it still has most of the features you would get from most other more expensive models.
These features include lightweight and durable aluminum housing for long service life and an ergonomic handle for more comfortable operation.
This coil nailer will include a transparent and side-loading magazine for fast reloads and to make it easy to monitor nail quantity, and it will also allow for depth adjustment for more precise nail drive.
There is also a 360-degree adjustable exhaust that helps to keep the air away from the user for safer operation and a handy belt hook that will allow you to keep the nailer closer when not in use.
While this nailer is still quite prone to double firing, it will only be on very rare occasions which is typical of most coil nailer, and it makes up for this with the fact that it will hardly ever jam.
Pros:
- Relatively more affordable
- Durable magnesium body
- Convenient depth adjustment
- Secure and comfortable grip
- Larger capacity and transparent magazine
Cons:
- Still prone to double-firing
- Flimsy plastic nail cover
6. Porter-Cable FN250C – Cheap But Well-Built & Feature-rich
Photo: Porter-Cable
- Power Source: Pneumatic
- Magazine Capacity: 100 nails
- Weight: 3.85 pounds
Being the cheapest model among our siding nailer review, the Porter-Cable FN250C will be perfect for DIYers and even contractors looking for a cheap but well-built siding nailer.
The nailer uses a durable and maintenance-free motor and with lightweight and durable die-cast aluminum housing for long tool life.
This relatively affordable siding nailer offers a tool-free depth of drive adjustment for more precise nail sinking and a tool-free jam release mechanism to minimize downtimes.
And it uses a sequential style trigger with a lock and comes with an integrated rubber grip for maximum user comfort and to make the nailer easier to control.
Other outstanding features of this siding nailer include an integrated belt hook, conveniently located contact safety and helpful nail reload indicator.
Rear nail loading can be inconvenient and loading the nails will not be as fast as with the side loading magazines, but the good news is that it only takes some getting used to.
Pros:
- Durable, maintenance-free motor
- Lightweight and compact
- Relatively more affordable
- Tool-free depth adjustment
- Quick, easy and tool-less jam release
Cons:
- Inconvenient rear nail loading
- Relatively smaller magazine capacity
How to Buy the Best Siding Nailers
Photo: Makita
Picking a siding nailer should not be hard with our reviews above for recommendations, and by considering the following important things.
1. Performance
While the performance of a siding nailer will partially depend on the user, its construction, design, and features will have the biggest effect on performance.
A good siding nailer should offer precise nail drive which means it should not be too deep to go through the material or too shallow to require you to finish driving it with a hammer.
When it comes to performance, you will want a siding nailer that delivers consistency, precision and simple depth of drive control.
Also, consider whether the nailer provides regular bump fire or has a single fire mode. Both firing mechanisms will be handy for different situations, and so the best siding nailers are those that have a selectable trigger.
2. Collation
The nail collation also matters when choosing a siding nailer as it will affect important things like the speed of nailing and the likelihood or frequency of jamming.
There are typically two options to choose from when it comes to nail collation which is the wire and plastic collated nails.
The wire-collated nails are those that are held together with wire and they are generally stronger than the plastic-collated that are held with plastic material.
While the ideal collation will ultimately depend on your preferences, wire-collated nailers are less likely to jam when compared to the plastic ones and are hence often the better choice. But an even better idea is to go for a nailer that allows both collations like Bostitch N66C-1 as it will be more versatile.
3. Versatility
A versatile siding nailer like Freeman PCN65 will be more resourceful to have around and will give you better value for your money.
Siding nailers that are able to install different siding materials like wood, vinyl, and aluminum will be more versatile as they will be ideal for different projects.
Also, those that will accept different nail collations (both wire and plastic) and types are more versatile as they can come in handy for other projects like fencing.
Besides the nail compatibility, another important factor that determines versatility is a nailer’s power output. The more powerful the nailer is, the more versatile it will be as this means it can drive different nail types and sizes into different materials.
4. Control
A nailer that is easy to control will ensure that the job is not more difficult than it should be for you. And while there are many things that affect the ease of control, the weight and design are among the key ones.
Siding nailers with lightweight construction and with a design that includes an ergonomic handle will be easier to control, and you can use it for many hours with minimal fatigue.
Other things like an easy to load magazine, simple jam clearing magazine and selectable firing modes will also give you a much easier time.
5. Brand
Like with all other power tools, you should never settle for a siding nailer from just any company because not all make top-notch and high-performing products.
To increase your likelihood of ending up with a well-built and high-performing siding nailer, you should buy models from reputable companies like Makita, Freeman, DeWalt, Bostitch, Hitachi, and Porter-Cable.
Besides having well-built and feature-rich products, these top brands will also provide longer warranties and are also known to honor their warranties in case your siding nailer has issues.
Conclusion
Siding nailers will not only help make siding attachment faster but also ensure you get better and more long-lasting results so that it will be a long time before you need to worry about your house’s siding.
And to make things even easier for you as a DIY enthusiast or contractor, we also review 6 top-rated models to give you recommendations.
Hence, you only now need to pick one that suits your projects with the Freeman PCN65 being our recommendation for those shopping on a budget. The Bostitch N66C-1, on the other hand, is our best overall model thanks to its ease of use, durable construction and feature-rich design.