How to Shingle a Roof

Roofs have a tendency to erode and fail over time no matter how carefully they are maintained. It is a simple fact of suburban and rural living that the elements can be punishing over the course of many years, particularly if you live in a four-season climate that comes with ice and snow, rain, and pounding sun. Although you may be able to repair early problems on an individual basis, the time will eventually come when the entire roof no longer affords your home the protection it deserves. When this moment arrives, you have a choice – call the pros or do it yourself.

It may not surprise you to learn that most homeowners hire roof contractors to completely shingle a new roof. After all, working up high without proper training and protection can be terribly dangerous. If you follow some basic guidelines and educate yourself about the process, however, you may be able to save an extraordinary amount of money by heading up there and laying those shingles yourself. Many homeowners report they were astonished to discover how straightforward this job really is, particularly given the exorbitant fees most roofing professionals command.

The first step is to decide what kind of shingles you want. Although standard grey asphalt and fiberglass are the most common types, you can roof your home with anything from cedar shakes to stately slate. Each comes with its own price tag and attendant headaches, however, and most roofing professionals agree it is far easier to work with the inexpensive asphalt varieties than anything else. Bear in mind as well that although the same basic principles apply regardless, certain roofing materials also demand you use a number of expensive tools that may eliminate any advantage associated with the DIY route.

Next you want to consider and plan for optimum safety. Roofing projects are fraught with danger, and the last thing you want is for a devastating injury to put you out of commission and effectively increase the cost of that repair by an order of magnitude. Wear proper footwear, avoid heading up during wet or cold weather, and be sure to wait until the morning dew has burned away during the summer months. You also want to secure the ladder tightly at both ends and consider having someone around to help in the event of a fall. Finally it is essential to choose your pathways so they avoid power lines and TV antennae – a nasty shock can be every bit as hazardous as a fall.

The most important step for most roofing endeavors is to clear the existing roof to make room for a level nailing surface. Usually this means repairing the roof to the point where it can support nailing strips, though you may have to remove everything altogether if multiple layers of shingles have rendered the roof structurally unsound. Once you have the proper template, you can begin measuring feathering strips to compensate for any gradations in slope and pitch – often small corrections like these can make a big difference down the line.

Next comes the ice and water shield, felt and drip edges – all basic materials designed to create a better bond and stronger protection from the elements. Although the ice and water shields aren’t strictly necessary, they will inevitably extend the life of your roof by accounting for leaks, “soaks” and driving wind that might otherwise penetrate the shingle field. The felt should be laid in rows and becomes especially important for certain grades of asphalt shingle – be sure and ask at your local home wars store whether you need to take additional steps here for a secure fit.

Now you are ready for the shingles. Start at the bottom corner and work your way up in even rows, being sure to check for proper ventilation and spacing throughout. Each 1-3/4” nail should be covered by the one just above, and you may want to add roofing cement to each nail to ensure it doesn’t loosen over time. Once the flat surfaces are covered, you want to pay particular attention to any valleys as well. Many experts recommend adding metal flashing down the ridge of the valley and building in some flexibility as well, as different sections of roof tend to shift over time.

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