How To Start Installing Roof Shingles

Using the chalk line snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge.

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. Hammer down any large nails that are exposed by the removal. 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. Ask this old house general contractor tom silva reveals the best ways to secure shingles to a roof.

Once you ve done that cut your shingles to size if they re not already. Regardless of the asphalt shingle type or style you ve chosen the process is basically the same as mentioned earlier you start at the bottom and overlap as you work your way across and up the roof. However most people prefer the cutout lines to be aligned so they make straight vertical lines. It generally takes three packs of shingles to cover 100 square feet 9 29 square meters.

Once all your shingles are installed you ll need to cover cap the ridge and hip ridges if you have a hip roof. Start from the top of the roof and remove the old shingles along with the flashing underlayment and vents. Measure your roof so you can be sure you buy the right amount of shingles. The top ridge cap shingles will overlap the hip ridge cap so start with the hips.

See below for a shopping list tools and steps subscr. Installing roof shingles in 11 steps. 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. Install a layer of roofing insulation as recommended by the roofing manufacturer.

Inspect the underlying roof sheathing for damage and make any needed repairs. Some roofers install shingles so the cutout lines describe a slight angle as you look from the bottom to the top of the roof. To install asphalt shingles start by installing underlayment and new flashing on the roof. Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster.

Then begin nailing the shingles to the roof working in rows and starting at the edge of the roof.