Watch the full episode: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/ask-toh/video/0,,20995315,00.html

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva reveals the best ways to secure shingles to a roof. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)

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Shopping List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
– 8-inch aluminum drip edge
– 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails
– 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper
– 3-tab shingles

Tools List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
– Chalk line
– Tape measure
– Hammer
– Rafter square
– Utility knife

Steps for How to Install Roof Shingles:
1. These project guidelines are for low roofs that allow easy access, such as those on porches, sheds, or doghouses. For larger roofs, hiring a professional roofing crew with proper fall protection is advised.
2. Line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house.
3. Using the chalk line, snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge.
4. Pull the drip edge down about a half-inch from that line to create a gap between the drip edge and the fascia board.
5. Nail the drip edge in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails and a hammer.
6. Repeat steps for gabled ends, installing the drip edge up the roof along the gable.
7. Lay out 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper and nail it in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails.
8. To lay out the design for the shingles, begin at the bottom of the roof and place a tape measure 1/2 inch from the edge of the roof to ensure the shingles overhang the drip edge.
9. Mark 12 inches up on the roof for the first course of shingles, then mark every 5 inches all the way up the roof to set your reveal. Do this on both sides of the roof.
10. Using the chalk line, snap a straight line on each 5-inch increment.
11. Use the chalk line to snap a straight line vertically every 6 inches.
12. Install a starter course by cutting off the three tabs on a shingle, leaving only the top tar section.

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How to Install Roof Shingles

| Green Roofs | 19 Comments
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19 Comments

  • D Kat

    OK bit confused I know your a pro but I thought on the eaves you put the drip edge first then the felt over that then on the gabble end after the felt is on you put the drip edge over the felt?

  • tom smith

    First off that's box store drip edge, if it was drip edge from a professional roofing store it has more of a C shape to it so you can install it up to the facia board. No one I mean NO ONE chalks a line for every row and no one figures out 5" reveal. If you really are a beginner there are tabs on the left and right side of the shingle that makes the shingle sit on top of the one below. Professionals install shingles on top of the hash lines (the spaces between tabs). There should be six nails per shingle. One on either side of the hash lines and one on each end. The nails should be installed in the tar line not below otherwise you have a chance of leakage. You do not cut shingles with a straight blade there is a wonderful product called a roofing blade (hook blade). shingles should NEVER overhang the drip edge. If you do not install shingles properly and the wind takes them off the roof your insurance will not pay for improperly installed shingles.

  • 41point2

    Thanks so much for sharing. I've looked and never found a video showing how to do flashing at the top of a roof that runs up to a brick wall. Its a shed I put at the side of my home. I'm guessing the flashing goes on top of where the shingles meet the wall. Is there any special way to adhere that flashing to the wall without nailing it ? Would I use screws with gaskets? Can I just glue it in place. How far up the wall should I have the tar paper go if at all? Thank you for what ever help you can provide.

  • Oops Oops

    Hello , my neighbor is installing shingles on his roof. he is putting them up in rows where the slits line up. he starts on one end snd goes straight up then then starts another row then straight up and continues one row at a time and so on. is this correct??? confused

  • Ryan Lewis

    If you leave your shingles hanging over the drip edge they will crack and dry rot. Also, the drip edge in this video is 5 inches,..big time overkill.! You do not need a chalk line… what a mess that would be.

  • Fermion

    Please forgive this question, as it may be common sense to you more experienced guys.

    But I have a sugar maple tree hanging over the left side of my house, will the sap from the tree affect my asphalt shingles? I live on the East Coast in a relatively humid area (near Va. Beach).

  • GreensAndBeansGaming

    Why would you put the rake edge under of the ice shield? I would think it should go on top. If water blows in from the side it will get on to the wood, there is no way that the water will blow up then in. I always thought that the bottom drip edge goes under and the side rake edge goes over.

  • Dasdfjkl

    Roofing systems need to be redesigned so that roofers are able to do it successfully. With the modern 100 year old system, fifty different roofers do it fifty different ways and all fifty roofs leak.

  • Jonathan Trivette

    The drip edge or flashing on the rake or gable end should go over the felt paper. The drip edge at the fascia goes on under the felt paper. This video shows both going under the felt which is wrong. A driving rain from the side could get under the felt paper on the gable end side using that method but if the drip edge on the gable end is over the felt paper, any rain would be on top of the felt and run down the slope to the gutter.

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