Best Roofing Tools and Equipment

A roofer’s job requires a wide variety of tools and equipment every day, some of which you wouldn’t think twice about.

Here, we’ll cover the best of the best for all of the major tools that a roofer needs to have in (and on) their toolbelt, including roofing hammers, nail guns, utility knives, safety harnesses and more.

If you want to see other options for each of these, we’ll include a link to our list for those, too.

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Roofing Hammers

A reliable roofing hammer is one of the most important tools that any roofing professional will count on.

For precision and efficiency, if you’re planning to work on a roof installation, buying the best possible roofing hammer is essential.

Check out our comprehensive list of best roofing hammers here.

Lathe Aze Fiberglass Hammer

The Lathe Aze Fiberglass is a roofing hammer made by The Stiletto Tool Company. They’re very well known for producing top-notch quality hand tools.

This hammer is very easy to grip thanks to a straight and hybrid curved design. This hatchet proves to be twice as durable between its head and its handle.

Because it is made of fiberglass material, it only weighs 1.3 lbs (extremely lightweight). This allows roofers to work for long periods without getting tired. It also helps expedite roofing construction projects.

For a better grip on the nails, the hammer head has a serrated face. It also comes designed with a nail claw, making it easier for residential remodeling and framing.

Pros

• Great value
• Rubber coated grip
• Serrated face
• Nail puller
• Extremely Lightweight

Cons

• Less durable compared to steel products

Roofing Tools

Aside from a hammer, there are a few other tools that any roofer needs to make their job easier.

Nail Gun for Roofing

The roofing nail gun is the most efficient way for roofers to install most materials, so getting a quality nail gun makes your job go by faster.

BOSTITCH Coil Roofing Nailer

Top-rated on every site from Amazon to small independent blogs, the BOSTITCH Coil Roofing Nailer is a favorite among roofers everywhere.

With a patented single-action side load canister and adjustable depth guide, you can use this roofing nail gun quickly and easily for every roofing project you work on, no matter what material you use.

Another great selling point on this nail gun is how comfortable and lightweight it is. Since roofing is labor-intensive and takes hours at a time, the lightweight aluminum housing and molded grip make this a favorite among roofers.

Pros

• Lightweight aluminum housing and molded grip for comfort
• Patented single-action side-load canister
• Quick-set adjustable depth guide to set nails to desired depth efficiently
• Indicates when to reload the magazine

CONS

• Learning curve- have to learn how to prevent double-nailing
• Possible jamming issue when using with 1-¾ nails (the maximum size nail usable with this gun)

Utility Knife for Roofing

The utility knife is a roofer’s best friend.

It can be used for everything from trimming asphalt shingles to gutter placement. Having this lightweight and easy-to-handle tool can save roofers a lot of time and energy.

Check out our comprehensive list of the best roofing knives.

Stanley Twin Blade FatMax Knife

Coming out to just over $15, the Stanley Twin Blade FatMax Knife is a surprisingly affordable knife that makes the top of the list.

Roofers love it because it’s two knives in one, allowing them to switch easily between the hook and straight blades. This is due to the interlock mechanism that allows only one blade to slide out while the other is secured in place.

An important feature that is non-negotiable for a roofing utility knife is durability. Roofers need to know that their knives can handle being dropped from stories high on job sites without falling apart. Luckily, the Stanley Twin Blade can take a beating.

Pros

• Essentially two knives in one
• Storage holds up to nine blades
• Durable
• Hook and straight blade easily interchangeable 

Cons

• Larger than the average utility knife- may be more difficult to fit in your tool belt
• Blade storage requires a special screwdriver

Tape Measure

A tape measure is one of those tools that every roofer needs in their toolbelt.

While any tape measure can get the job done, using the right tape measure can make a roofer’s job easier.

Craftsman Tape Measure

With options available in 16, 25, and 30-feet lengths, the Craftsman Tape Measure is a top pick for roofers, contractors, and hobbyists alike.

What this tape measure has that makes it such a popular choice is the little things. Features like a rubber over-mold for better grip, a crisp white tape, and a solid metal edge perfect for hooking onto things while measuring.

It’s also super durable because of the rubber coating on the outside and the blade coating designed to extend the life of your tape measure.

Pros

• Rubber over-mold for added grip
• White tape for a clean look
• Durable blade coating
• 3 different length options

Cons

• Only has inch markings
• Faulty locks on some units

Protective Clothing

Showing up to a roofing job site in shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops just isn’t going to cut it.

Roofers need special protective clothing to keep them safe while on the job. 

Gloves

If you’re a professional roofer, you know just how important it is to keep your hands protected. Here are the best work gloves for roofers based on their grip, level of protection, and comfortability.

SHOWA 300L-09 Atlas Fit 300 Rubber-Coated Gloves

In roofing, you have to work in all kinds of weather. With this in mind, the grip on these SHOWA 300L-09 Atlas Fit 300 Gloves is well-suited for work in both dry and wet conditions.

These seamless gloves are designed to be lightweight and feature an elastic wrist to keep them securely where they need to be. They also are ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue.

They’re made from a stretchy cotton-polyester blend that makes them comfortable and breathable, featuring a rubber coating on the palms and fingers to provide superior grip.

The gloves are also machine-washable, making it easy to keep them clean after long days of repeated use.

Pros

• Ergonomic design to reduce fatigue
• Rubber coating for wet and dry grip
• Machine-washable for easy cleaning
• Seamless design for added comfort

Cons

• Sized too large for smaller hands
• Can leave an unpleasant scent even after washing

Roofing Shoes

Roofing is a labor-intensive job where you spend the majority of the day on your feet, on an elevated surface, surrounded by sharp objects that could easily stab through typical shoe materials.

For this reason, roofers must have the right pair of boots or shoes for the job.

Check out our comprehensive list of the best roofing shoes.

Cougar Paws Peak Performer Roofing Boots

Largely considered the “gold standard” of roofing boots, Cougar Paws have pretty much everything you could want from a roofing shoe.

Some of the most important things that you need to look for in a roofing shoe are protection on the bottom of your feet, traction, and comfortability. Cougar Paws pass the test on all of these things.

They feature a wood sole to prevent sharp objects from piercing through, a vented exterior and a breathable inner boot lining to keep your feet cool, and durable upper leather to extend the life of your pair of boots.

They also have a velcro strap across the top to keep your laces from coming untied.

Pros

• Vented exterior to wick away moisture
• Wood sole for superior protection
• Full-grain leather upper for durability
• Breathable inner lining for comfortability

Cons

• Sizing is inaccurate (boots are large)
• Velcro is unreliable

Safety Equipment

Due to the elevation and dangerous materials flying around, there is special equipment that roofers need to use to keep themselves protected from serious injury while working.

Safety Harness

No matter how high the roof, roofing contractors always risk serious injury from falls.

To help mitigate that danger, roofing harnesses are a great way to ensure that you don’t fall to the ground if you lose your footing and slip off of a roof.

Check out our comprehensive list of the top safety harnesses for roofers here.

Guardian 21030 Cyclone Construction Harness

With hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon, the Guardian 21030 Cyclone Construction Harness is a top-choice for roofers of all sizes.

What many reviewers love is how easily adjustable it is. The harness features fully-adjustable chest, shoulder, and leg straps. The best part is that roofers don’t have to worry about the webbing being compromised when adjusting.

It features a unique stitching pattern for added support and strength, which is very important when you’re working on a high-elevation roof.

Pros

• Fully-adjustable straps
• No risk of jeopardizing webbing when adjusting
• Comfortable extra-long waist pad that wicks moisture away
• Unique stitching pattern for extra support

Cons

• Sizing a bit off
• Waist belt awkward for tool bags

Hard Hat

A hard hat protects your head from projectiles and falling objects. Our top pick offers superior protection while keeping your head comfortable and cool all day.

PYRAMEX Ridgeline Full-Brim Hard Hat

When you think of a hard hat, weightlessness is not the first thing that comes to mind. But with the PYRAMEX Ridgeline Full-Brim Hard Hat, it’s one of the key features that make it our top pick.

This roofing hard hat is made from ABS (Acrylonitrile, Butadiene, Styrene) material, which is a lightweight thermoplastic resin. The properties of each material used give it rigidness, impact strength, and heat and chemical resistance. By using this mix instead of High-Density Polyethylene, this hard hat provides all of the necessary protection without the unnecessary weight. 

It also features an adjustable 4-point ratchet suspension as well as a rear padded suspension. For protection against sweaty heads, the sweatband is replaceable and the hat is vented.

Pros

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Ratchet suspension easy to adjust
• Meets ANSI Z89.1-2009 standards, type 1, Class C, G, and E
• Replaceable sweatband and well-vented hat

Cons

• Snags on longer hair
• Vent holes aren’t allowed at all roofing companies

Goggles / Glasses

One of the most important pieces of protective equipment for roofers is a good pair of safety goggles or glasses to keep their eyes safe from projectiles like nails or scraps of shingles.

Pyramex Provoq Safety Glasses

At under $3 a pair, the Pyramex Provoq Safety Glasses are a great deal with plenty of great features.

They come in a wide variety of different colors, which offer more than just aesthetic appeal. Some of them are grey-tinted or even mirrored to protect your eyes from the sun (99% UVA/B/C protection) as well as flying roofing materials.

The soft nosepiece and rubber temples add an extra level of comfort, allowing roofers to wear these safety glasses all day without getting a headache.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Rubber temples and nosepiece
• Slim fit
• UVA and UVB protection

Cons

• Can fog up
• Fragile

Software

The roofing industry is rapidly advancing due to new and improved technology.

Software companies with a focus on servicing roofing companies can provide a number of useful tools, including estimating, invoicing, and scheduling software.

CRM for Roofing Companies

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has been around since the 1980s. It’s extremely valuable to track the outcomes of all customer engagement.

For roofers, a CRM is an invaluable tool as it can provide complete visibility into the operations, marketing, and sales of a company.

Check out our comprehensive list of the best CRMs for roofing companies here.

Jobber

Unlike other popular off-the-shelf CRM technology, Jobber is purpose-built for home improvement companies and contractors.

With Jobber, you can manage your entire roofing business and back-and-forth with customers from one place. Estimate, quote, schedule, invoice, get paid—no software experience required.

Summary

When you’re a roofer, using quality tools and protective equipment and clothing can be the difference between life and death.

This list covers the best of the best products for everything a roofer needs.