How To Start Installing Roof Shingles

Measure your roof so you can be sure you buy the right amount of shingles.

How to start installing roof shingles.

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva reveals the best ways to secure shingles to a roof. Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster. 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.

Start from the top of the roof and remove the old shingles along with the flashing underlayment and vents. 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. The top ridge cap shingles will overlap the hip ridge cap so start with the hips. To install asphalt shingles start by installing underlayment and new flashing on the roof.

Installing roof shingles in 11 steps. 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. Some roofers install shingles so the cutout lines describe a slight angle as you look from the bottom to the top of the roof. Install a layer of roofing insulation as recommended by the roofing manufacturer.

Once you ve done that cut your shingles to size if they re not already. This step by step tutorial shows how to install 3 tab roof shingles using the racking method. Once all your shingles are installed you ll need to cover cap the ridge and hip ridges if you have a hip roof. Then begin nailing the shingles to the roof working in rows and starting at the edge of the roof.

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

See below for a shopping list tools and steps subscr.