How to Put Shingles On a Roof

Many of us spent way too much money paying contractors to do jobs that are not terribly difficult. I learned how to put on a roof when I was a young child, and it is quite simple. I have made this article with the hope that you will consider doing this job yourself and not wasting thousands of dollars!

Things You'll Need

• Shingles
• Felt
• Nails
• Compressor Gun
• Ice and Water Shield
• Starter Strip
• Drip Edge
• Ladder
• Utility Knife

Instructions

1. 

   The first thing you must do is calculate how many shingles you will need. The best way to do this is to measure your roof from the peak to the eave. After you have figured out the square footage, you should subtract the square footage of skylights, chimneys, dormers, etc.

2. 

   Take your measurements to a store that sells shingles such as Menards, Home Depot, or Lowe's. Tell them how many square feet you need to cover and they will be able to give you an estimate. In most cases shingles are sold by the bundle having approximately 33.3 square feet per bundle. Most people are familiar with 3 bundles to a square. (3 bundles = 100 sq. ft.)

3. You should make sure that you have everything you need. I recommend shingles, felt paper, starter strip, roofing nails, drip edge, ice and water shield, a ridge vent, and even sheathing if you are ripping off an older roof.

4. 

   I highly recommend tearing off old shingles rather than putting on a second layer. Putting shingles over top of other shingles greatly increases the chances of leaking.

5. Roll out your felt and apply that with your compressor nail gun first. Make sure that the felt is rolled out straight. Also when you are nailing the felt down be sure there are no nails sticking out. If one nail is sticking out too far it could puncture the shingle that will lay over top of it causing the leaking.

6. After the felt is applied you can now put on your ice and water shield or starter strip. Ice and water shield is used to protect your shingles in the winter from shifting. Often it comes in a peal and stick roll. After you have applies the ice and water / starter strip you are ready to being shingling your roof!

7. There are probably 100 ways to shingle a roof. However, if you are a novice I would recommend just going row by row making sure everything is straight and flush. You only need 3-4 nails per shingle. There is a black line on the shingle where the nails should be applied. This black line also represents where the following row of shingles should be applied.

8. 

   You should apply your ridge vent before shingling to the top of your roof. The ridge vent allows for proper ventilation. Ridge vents days come in 20 foot rolls. In most cases there are drilled holes for you to put the nails in on the roof vents. After your roof vent is applied and you have reached the top of your roof with you shingles you are ready to put on the cap. Cap shingles are shingles that go over top of your ridge vent. Most shingle companies make these type of shingles; they are called hip and ridge cap. They can also be used where there are corners on your roof as well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to replace your drip edge, do that before applying the shingles.

• Don't go too fast or your shingles will end up not flush to each other.

• Do not put too many nails in your shingles, you will get leakage.