Job Description of a Shingler
Roofing is the process of constructing and covering the roofs or tops of buildings with materials designed to protect the building from the elements. Shinglers or roofers are the professional laborers who specialize in roofing.
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Function
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Shinglers study architectural drawings to determine how many shingles it will take to cover the surface of a roof. Then, shinglers strip away old shingles if necessary, apply a substance like tar and then press and nail the shingles in place, repeating the process until the roof is covered.
Types
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Some shinglers specialize in residential roofing or working on residences, while others concentrate on commercial buildings. Shinglers may also focus on using one type of shingle like slate, asphalt or ceramic.
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Skills
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Successful shinglers possess the ability to use tools like blow torches, hammers, hatchets, rippers and shears, reports the Occupational Information Network. Hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity and the ability to work outdoors completing physically arduous tasks for long periods of time are also necessary.
Education
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Most shinglers receive training through informal hands-on work assisting accomplished roofers. Some complete three-to-four-year formal apprenticeships offered through labor unions or employers that combine classroom-based instruction with hands-on training.
Compensation
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As of May 2008, shinglers averaged annual salaries of $37,430, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Shinglers who join labor unions may earn higher rates of pay or be guaranteed benefits like health insurance.
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