How to Cap a Roof With Shingles
Capping a roof, when shingling, is the last step in the roofing process. The cap serves to seal the peak of the roof where the shingles come together from either side. Capping is necessary to keep water from leaking into this area or behind the other shingles. Since you cannot overlap the shingles properly at this area, you must use this capping process. It is easy to accomplish with a few basic tools. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Cut 3-tab shingles, of the same color that you use for the rest of the roof, with a razor knife. Cut the shingle into thirds. Cut a taper from the part of the shingle that is visible, back toward the part that you nail through.
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Cut a starter shingle. Using a third of the whole shingle, taper this piece only enough so that an overlapping shingle can conceal it.
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Nail your starter shingle at one end of the peak of the roof. This shingle should lay so that the decorative half of the shingle points toward the center of the peak.
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Nail a tapered shingle (cap shingle) over the starter shingle. The first tapered shingle should cover the entire starter shingle.
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Nail the next cap shingle in place. This shingle will overlap the previous shingle so that the decorative portion of this shingle covers the half that is nailed into the roof. Repeat this overlapping along the length of the peak.
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Cut one cap shingle so that you only have the decorative portion. This will be the last cap piece at the end of the peak and will cover the last shingle.
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Tips & Warnings
When purchasing shingles for a roofing job, always consider that you will need several bundles to use for capping. Always take proper safety precautions when working on roofs. Roof jacks or safety harnesses should be utilized.
