Use Proper Nailing Technique
At a minimum, asphalt shingles can be attached with just four nails for each shingle, but if installing in an area prone to high winds, six nails should be used for each shingle. Asphalt shingles have a nailing linea line of sealant material intended to bond with the next row of shingles. Your nails should be placed just below this line, not inside it or above it. To reduce the wind lift forces acting over the shingles, do not nail them too high or too low. Never nail through the sealant strip of the shingle as it might affect the water flow over the roof.
Make sure nails are driven straight, not angled so that the sharp edges of the nail heads can cut into the asphalt shingles. Make sure that all fasteners penetrate at least 3 4 inch into the wood deck or completely through the sheathing.
Get Started With Your Starter Shingles
Starting at the bottom of the roof, map out a guideline with chalk. Keep chalking additional guidelines based on the width of the shingle through at least four rows across your roof. Using your chalk and tape measure, mark about 1 foot up on the roof for the first set of shingles.
Every 5 inches, make a new mark until you get to the top of the roof. Repeat this on both sides of the roof. Use the chalk line to snap a straight line vertically every 6 inches.
Place a glue strip along the rake edge and drip edge, and then attach your starter shingle, nailing it into place.
Cap The Ridge And Hips
The final step of learning how to shingle a roof is to cover up the roof’s ridge. If you choose not to overlap the shingles at the ridge, you can also place caps horizontally along the ridge to provide protection.
They are typically installed from one side to another, and the hips are installed vertically. Install them with the first ridge cap facing the opposite direction of the prevailing wind.
When installing ridge caps, you will need longer nails, as they have to penetrate both the caps and the last shingles. You may seal the exposed nails with a roofing cement to provide a watertight seal.
The hip caps are installed from the bottom up to the ridge and are sloped ridges. Install the caps from both ends and connect them to a hip roof at the middle meeting point.
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Materials:Roof flashingUnderlaymentShinglesRoofing cement
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Shingling A Shed Style Roof
If shingles are not used to cover the shed, water will seep through it. Water can cause damage to whats inside if it gets in. There are then steps to follow, to avoid this and this is by shingling your roof.
1. Begin by removing any objects that are on top of your shed.
This will create space for you to work and ensure theres nothing obstructing the roof when it comes time to shingle.
2. Next, clear out all debris from inside the structure so everything is clean before starting this project.
Take a good look around to make sure there are no weak or broken boards that can cause problems down the road.
3. If you have wood floors, check them for rot and replace if necessary before getting started.
If your shed has a concrete floor, its best to remove all objects from the surface so they dont break when walked on during repairs.
4. Its also important to remove any objects that are close to the roofline. Although you want things out of your way, make sure theyre not in a position where water can collect and cause damage.
Shingle Peaks And Hips
When you reach a peak or hip, shingle all the way up the first side and cut the 3-tab shingles just below the ridge. Shingle the other side and allow these pieces to overlap the ridge by no more than 4 inches.
Editor’s tip: When hips meet at a ridge, you may have to improvise to handle awkward areas. Just be sure that water will not seep in between shingles as it runs downward. Where two hips meet a ridge, cut a triangular piece to cover the joint. Cover any exposed nailheads with dabs of roofing cement. Then apply ridgecaps.
If you have a hip that runs into the main roof, cover the area with WSU when you are installing the sheathing cut the WSU so it lies flat at all points. Then cover the resulting V-shape notch with another piece of WSU. When you install the shingles, leave one shingle unnailed so you can later slip a ridgecap under it.
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How To Shingle A Roof
If youre looking to take on the ultimate DIY home project and re-shingle your roof, then you need to know how to do it the right way. Shoddy craftsmanship when it comes to roof installations can be extremely harmful to the integrity and safety of a home improper installations will result in voided warranties, leaks, and lots of stress.
You need to learn how to shingle a roof properly before you tackle your own project. This video will get you started:
Fold Flashing Over The Peak
Cut the flashing back to the peak along each crease. Then fold the flashing over the peak and cover the cut ends with self-stick underlayment. Roof valleys channel a lot of water, so they need extra protection. Start by installing self-stick underlayment on the decking. This process is much easier with two people. Cut the underlayment to size , and peel off the entire plastic backer. With a person on each end, fold the underlayment in on itself, sticky side out. Then lay it into the valley and unfold it. Try to push it down into the crease of the valley as tightly as possible. If this self-stick ice-and- water underlayment bridges both sides of the decking, leaving a gap underneath, it could tear once you install the metal valley flashing. Run the underlayment past the drip edge at the eaves, and trim off the extra with a utility knife. Once it’s smooth, nail it down on the outside edges.
Finish installing felt paper on the rest of the roof, overlapping the self-stick underlayment. Be careful when you trim back the felt paper so you don’t slice into the underlayment. Photo 7 shows the underlayment covering the felt on one edge a couple of inches. This will keep water farther away from the inside corner of the fascia. You can extend the center out even more but not so far that water overshoots your gutters if you have them.
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How To Install Roof Shingles: A Step
No matter how much you stay on top of routine roof maintenance and repairs, youll eventually need a new roof. Though its highly recommended to leave installing new roofing materials to an experienced roofing contractor, knowing how to install roof shingles can help you better maintain and preserve your roof.
The process is time-consuming and can be tricky if youve never worked on your roof before. This guide will give you a bit of insight into how to lay shingles the right way.
How To Shingle A Valley
Valleys are areas on a roof where two different roof lines come together, forming a valley where water will run down. As such, it is extra important that they are completely watertight because there can be a virtual river running down a valley if the roofline is a good deal higher on both sides.
- It is a good idea to lay a self-adhesive ice and water shield over valleys before continuing but not absolutely necessary. While valleys can be covered with either the open and woven methods, only the open method will be covered here. While woven valleys look better, in my opinion, they are not appropriate for the architectural style of shingles most people prefer.
- To make an open valley, shingle the side of the valley with the lowest peak first, extending each shingle well past the valley. Make sure there are no joints where two shingles come together near the center of the valley keep such joints at least 6 inches away from the center. Continue installing shingles on that side until the entire valley is covered with shingles, all extending past the valley.
- Snap a chalk line down the valley, about two inches off-center towards the shingled side. The other side may now be shingled, making sure to extend each shingle past the chalk line. As individual shingles are installed, they can be cut down the chalk line, finishing the valley and leaving one side a cut line of shingles down the valley.
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Carefully Flash The Valleys And Seams
Almost 75% of roof leaks occur in valleys where two roof planes meet, or at chimneys or other roof penetrations, so be sure to install roof flashing in these areas prior to the start of the installation. Flashed open valleys may be more durable and water-resistant than blind alleys, in which the shingles overlap from one plane to the other and cover the valley. For asphalt shingles, aluminum flashings are recommended. The metal should be at least 0.019 inches thick.
If working on a roof where someone has already installed flashing, make sure it is in good condition and not leaking. When re-roofing, most pros choose to install new flashings rather than relying on the existing flashings.
Be Cautious With Double Layers Of Roofing
Where allowed, you can save money by laying a new roof directly over the old shingles without removing the old roofing. However, this may be prohibited by code in some areas, where complete tear-off is required. And make sure the old roof is flat and in decent shape, as any flows or irregularity in the old roof will telegraph through to the new layer of shingles. And never go more than two layers thick.
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How To Shingle A Roof: Preparation
Before you begin learning how to shingle a roof, you must ensure that all previous old shingles have been removed.
Next, you’ll want to check that your deck is securely fastened to the roof truss, free of any holes or gaps, and completely dry and smooth. This will give you a flat, seamless shingle roof in the end. Your decking is crucial as it’s responsible for holding the shingle, so it has to be prepped to handle the weight.
Once you have ensured you are completely safe while installing your roof, you can continue reading on to our step-by-step guide on How to Shingle a Roof!
Asphalt Shingles:2 days
Installing Roof Shingles In 11 Steps:
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How To Choose Your Roof Underlayment
There are synthetic and felt underlayments, and they each have advantages and disadvantages. The type of underlayment you use depends on the location, type of roofing material, and budget, among other factors.
Synthetic underlayment is more durable and offers better protection than felt underlayment. It is tough, easy to install, safe, and water repellent.
Some are slip-resistant and offer a workable surface once installed. They are also not damaged by prolonged UV or moisture exposure when it takes a while to add the shingles.
The Steps For Shingling A Roof
Roof shingles are easier to lay than you might think. On a rudimentary level, shingling is comprised of seven roofing steps:
- Remove your old shingles with a pry bar and hammer
- Create a drip edge
- Cap the shingles at the peak of your roof
- Seal exposed nails.
Remember that shingles are only as protective as their weakest seal, so every phase of the roofing process demands fastidious attention to detail.
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Mark Your Roof Where The Rest Of The Shingles Will Go
This step will make installing the rest of the shingles much easier, so dont skip it. Use your chalk line to snap out a grid with six-inch horizontal spacing and five-inch vertical spacing. This will make it easy to nail down the rest of your shingles while ensuring you get the right amount of overlap and exposure.
Covering The Joints And Valleys
Flashing is placed around plumbing stacks and vents to help prevent leaks.Complete shingle installation above the plumbing stack flashing.Various Roof Vents
Roof planes that butt against vertical walls at the end of the shingle course are protected by metal step flashing at least 125 mm high and 125 mm wide . When applying the new shingles, each shingle course will be covered by a step flashing.
Metal Step Flashing Pieces
There are two simple rules to follow:
- Each flashing should overlap the one below by at least 75 mm , but not be visible below the shingle top lap.
- Imbed each step flashing in a 75 mm wide application of asphaltic plastic cement, and nail in place. Then the end of each shingle overlapping a step flashing must also be well embedded in plastic cement.
To install the flashing piece on the first course, place it over the end of the starter strip. Place it so the tab of the end shingle covers it completely. Secure the horizontal flange to the roof deck using two nails. Do not fasten the flashing piece to the vertical wall. This will allow the flashing piece to move independently of any differential expansion and contraction that may occur between the roof deck and the wall. Place the second step flashing piece over the end shingle in the first course by positioning it 143 mm above the bottom edge of the exposed asphalt shingle.
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How To Shingle A Roof With Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles add texture and a three-dimensional appearance to a roof. Their benefits, however, are not just aesthetic. They also prevent water seepage better than regular shingles and come with a 40-year warranty. They are more expensive than regular asphalt shingles, so take extra care when installing them to avoid waste and misapplication. Using a professional roofer will guarantee a quality job, but a skilled do-it-yourselfer with the right tools can complete the job at a fraction of the cost.
1.
Measure your roof to determine the number of shingle bundles and felt rolls, also known as underlayment, needed to cover the roof. Roofers break roofs into squares when measuring for shingles. A square is a 10-foot by 10-foot area, and three bundles of shingles are needed to cover a square. Remove any existing shingles, underlayment and flashing by scraping with a shovel or shingle ripper. Hammer any nails into the decking. Cleaning the roof is unnecessary if you are working with new construction.
2.
Lay the edge of a roll of felt on the decking along the roof’s lower edge. Roll the felt horizontally across the roof, and cut it with the utility knife at any obstruction, such as at a gable, dormer or valley. Continue laying the felt on the other side of the obstruction. Overlap slightly each successive row of felt until the roof is covered.
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Installing The Roof Underlayment
The underlayment is the most crucial part of discovering how to shingle a roof.
Your underlayment layer sits between the shingles and the roof deck and helps to offer secondary protection from the elements.
The underlayment comes in rolls and is installed overlapping towards the top of the roof.
If you have installed an eave or ice dam protection, overlap it at the edge by 4″. A roof has open and closed valleys. However, it is necessary to overlap the underlayment by about 6″ at the valley membrane flashing for protection from water that may go down the valley.
If you don’t have eaves or ice and water protection, install the underlayment hanging between ¼”- ¾” from the edge.
Install the second layer upwards, overlapping by about 2″. When you reach the ridge of the roof, roll out some excess underlayment to each side of the roof to provide a better seal.
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Roof Prep And Measurement
Youre almost ready to get to work, but before you do, you need to take some careful measurements, so you know how many shingles to buy and how much underlayment you need.
To estimate the number of shingles you need, measure the length and the width of each independent section of your roof. Multiply the length by the width to get the area . In roofing parlance, the total square footage of your roof is usually divided by 100 to get a measurement called squares. Youll need the size of your roof in squares to know how many shingles you need to buy.
As an example, if the main section of your roof measures 40 feet by 50 feet, the area is 2,000 square feet, which equals 2,000 ÷ 100 = 20 squares.
Shingles and other roofing supplies are usually sold in bundles, with three bundles of shingles covering approximately 20 squares. If you want to avoid repeated trips to the store, round up the number of shingle bundles you need by one or two. Having extra shingles on hand is never a bad idea and you can always return unopened bundles leftover when youre finished.
Thankfully, felt paper is also sold in terms of squares, so you wont need to do any more math to figure out how much you need. If youre confused, dont hesitate to ask someone at the hardware store. If you tell them how big your roof is, theyll be able to help you figure out what you need.
