Shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials due to their durability, affordability, and ease of installation. Whether you’re replacing a few damaged shingles or installing an entirely new roof, knowing how to properly hang shingles can ensure your roof remains watertight and long-lasting. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide to help you complete the job efficiently.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Roof Surface
Start by ensuring the roof deck is clean and dry. Remove any old shingles, nails, or debris. If the roof deck is damaged, replace any rotted or weak plywood to create a sturdy base for your shingles.
2. Install Drip Edge
The drip edge prevents water from seeping underneath the shingles and damaging the roof deck. Install it along the eaves first, securing it with roofing nails every 12 inches. Next, apply it to the gable edges.
3. Lay Down Roofing Underlayment
Roll out roofing felt or synthetic underlayment to provide an extra layer of moisture protection. Start at the bottom of the roof and work your way up, overlapping each row by about 4 inches. Secure it using a roofing stapler or cap nails.
4. Snap Chalk Lines for Alignment
Using a chalk line, mark horizontal guidelines across the roof to ensure your shingles are installed in straight, even rows. This step is crucial for maintaining a professional and uniform appearance.
5. Install Starter Shingles
Starter shingles are specially designed to prevent wind uplift along the eaves. Cut standard shingles in half lengthwise and install them along the bottom edge of the roof, ensuring they slightly overhang the drip edge. Nail them down with four to six roofing nails per shingle.
6. Begin Laying Shingles
Start with the first row of full shingles directly above the starter strip. Align them with the chalk line and nail them in place, placing nails about an inch above the cutouts (on three-tab shingles) or in the designated nailing strip (on architectural shingles). Use four nails per shingle or six in high-wind areas.
7. Continue Staggering Shingles
For each new row, stagger the shingles so the seams do not line up with those below. This prevents water from seeping through gaps. Keep following the chalk lines for accurate alignment.
8. Work Up the Roof to the Ridge
Continue installing rows of shingles, overlapping each new row by about half the height of a shingle. As you near the top, you may need to trim shingles to fit properly.
9. Install Ridge Cap Shingles
Once you reach the peak of the roof, install ridge cap shingles to protect the ridge line from water infiltration. These shingles are specially designed to bend over the roof peak. Nail them down securely, making sure each piece overlaps the one before it.
10. Seal and Inspect Your Work
Use roofing cement to seal any exposed nail heads and check the entire roof for loose shingles or nails. Ensure that all shingles are securely in place and that there are no gaps where water can penetrate.
