How To Start Installing Roof Shingles

Once everything that goes beneath the shingles has been properly prepared and installed it s finally time to learn how to shingle a roof.

How to start installing roof shingles.

Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster. Measure your roof so you can be sure you buy the right amount of shingles. Known in the trade as vertical racking or staggering this how to lay shingles method enables the roofer to install a single column of shingles all the way to the peak without the wasted back and forth motion necessary to fill several rows of stair steps. Some roofers install shingles so the cutout lines describe a slight angle as you look from the bottom to the top of the roof.

Architectural shingles are another option and are installed the same way as 3 tab shingles but give your roof more of a 3 d effect due to their varied shapes. To start installing shingles line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house. Start from the top of the roof and remove the old shingles along with the flashing underlayment and vents. It generally takes three packs of shingles to cover 100 square feet 9 29 square meters.

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva reveals the best ways to secure shingles to a roof. Installing roof shingles in 11 steps. This step by step tutorial shows how to install 3 tab roof shingles using the racking method. Then begin nailing the shingles to the roof working in rows and starting at the edge of the roof.

To install asphalt shingles start by installing underlayment and new flashing on the roof. Once all your shingles are installed you ll need to cover cap the ridge and hip ridges if you have a hip roof. Hammer down any large nails that are exposed by the removal. See below for a shopping list tools and steps subscr.

Once you ve done that cut your shingles to size if they re not already. Using the chalk line snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge. Snap a couple of guide lines just a little inside the perimeter of the ridge so the lines get covered up when you re done. However most people prefer the cutout lines to be aligned so they make straight vertical lines.

Inspect the underlying roof sheathing for damage and make any needed repairs.