In the early 1900s, beachfront cottages were a common sight on the Rhode Island coast. However, in 1938, the Great New England Hurricane destroyed more than 500 coastal homes, leaving only 10 dotted across the state’s beachfronts. Among the surviving houses were those of Matunuck Beach’s Browning Cottages, named for the original property owner. 

Since their construction at the beginning of the 20th century, three of the original five Queen Anne Victorian-style cottages nestled on the beach have withstood over a century of saltwater, brutal hurricanes and even physical relocation.

Despite the first relocation in 1998, which moved the houses further from the sea, in 2012, two of the original five homes were torn down following critical damage from Tropical Storm Sandy. To prevent further damage to the remaining homes, the cottages were again moved 35 feet north and placed onto concrete pilings in 2013.

Protect and Preserve

One beachfront homeowner reached out to the experienced roofers at Rinaldi Roofing of South Kingston, R.I., to help them protect their home from future hurricane-force winds and severe coastal weather. Established by the Rinaldi brothers, the roofing company offers customers more than 10 years of expertise in using innovative technologies to build long-lasting, durable roofs.

“When my brother Matt and I started this company, we agreed we would only use the highest quality materials the market has to offer, which is why we use products like F-WAVE™ REVIA ® premium synthetic residential roofing shingles and STINGER® fastening tools and fasteners,” said Nick Rinaldi, owner of Rinaldi Roofing. “Many contractors can just lay shingles on a roof, but we are recognized as the best because we go the extra mile to install underlayment that contributes to the roof’s performance.”

In high-wind coastal environments, cap fasteners, like those manufactured by STINGER, help seal out moisture and prevent blow-offs, allowing the roofers to install underlayment confidently and safely.  

“The owner came to us and said, ‘I want something that will outlast both my kids and me,’’’ said Rinaldi. “We didn’t even have to think about it. Pairing F-Wave and STINGER seemed like the perfect solution and the homeowner couldn’t agree more.”

Seeking to preserve the home's original rustic aesthetic while adding the safety and protection of a modern roofing system, the Rinaldi Roofing crew went to work on the installation. Armed with STINGER CN100B pneumatic cap nailers, and NailPac® cap fasteners, the builders completed the underlayment install on schedule to protect the new roof deck from the coastal elements.

“STINGER products have been an integral part of our roofing business,” said Rinaldi. “The home is our customer’s largest investment and with the proximity to the ocean and gale-force winds, we feel much more confident knowing these products will stay up on the roof where they belong.”

A Competitive Edge

Delivering proven performance, STINGER’s NailPac cap fasteners recently met requirements for Florida Product Approval (FL35349) under the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. The first and only fastener of its kind to earn Florida Product Approval, NailPac is ASTM tested to withstand sustained winds of 150 mph for one hour. NailPac Electro-Galvanized Ring Shank cap nails help ensure roofing contractors and their customers that water will not enter the home, reducing damage during severe weather. Designed exclusively for use with STINGER’s CN100B Cap Nailer, NailPac cap nails help seal out moisture and deliver superior holding power to secure underlayment in hurricane-force winds. Recognized for its superior performance, NailPac also meets the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s® FORTIFIED Roof™ program standards.

“As younger guys, we are very tuned into technology and use that as a strength,” explained Rinaldi. “It allows us to be much more innovative regarding the newest and best roofing products. Technology is moving so fast, with products evolving and getting exponentially better. There is so much research and development that goes into it, so we are going to take advantage of that. Ultimately, it benefits the consumer most and gives us a competitive advantage for offering them.”

Working in unrelenting winds as waves crashed nearby, the roofers made quick work of the project, allowing the homeowner to move forward with continued renovations to restore the historic house to its former glory to be enjoyed for years to come.

“The owners are ecstatic with the way it came out,” said Rinaldi. “It gives us peace of mind knowing we are truly giving the homeowner the best system possible. You sleep well when you do the right thing.”