How to Hang Cedar Shingles on a House
Cedar shingles are both durable and rustic-looking, and they can last between 15 and 40 years. Installing cedar shingles is not very different from installing shingles made from a different material, such as asphalt. The only two differences between laying asphalt shingles and laying cedar shingles are the need to use building paper and to leave room between shingles. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cap
- Building paper
- Galvanized roofing nails
- Hammer (or nailgun)
- Cedar shingles
- Chalk line
Instructions
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1
Spread the building paper over the entire surface of the roof. Attach the building paper with cap nails every foot or so. This helps avoid leaks and mold damage to your roof.
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2
Nail the first cedar shingle to the building paper, starting from the bottom corner of the roof. Use at least two roofing nails to do this, checking the directions on the shingle package for nail placement and number.
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3
Snap a chalk line at the height where the first course of shingles should lay. To do this, measure the height of the shingle, and make a mark at either end of the roof at this height. Then insert the string of the chalk line into notches at each mark, lift the center of the string, and then let go. The chalk line should snap against the surface of the roof deck, leaving a line behind.
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4
Leave a gap of about 1/4 inch, and then hang the second shingle, using the chalk line as a guide. (This will give the wood space to expand when moist.) Continue this process until the first course of shingles are installed.
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Snap a second chalk line 1/4 inch above the first course. All shingles on the second course should lay on this line. Add the second course, and continue accordingly until you reach the peak of the roof.
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Add an extra layer of building paper to the peak of the roof to avoid water damage. Trim shingles as necessary before adding them to the peak. The shingles should fit as precisely as possible.
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Tips & Warnings
To make sure that the cedar shingles are laid the correct way, make sure that the thick side of the shingle is on the bottom.
Do not shingle your roof in rainy, snowy, or windy weather.
Do not install cedar shingles on a flat or gently sloping roof. Gathered rain and snow can damage cedar shingles.
