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- Before you begin any roofing project, you will want to make sure your roof decking is dry and free of any debris. The decking should then be covered with roofing paper, and it should overhang the eaves by 3/8 inch. Choose nails that will complete the look you want. Galvanized nails will eventually leave a streak down your shingles, which gives a more rustic look. But if you don't want that streak, then use stainless steel or aluminum nails. You can speed up the installation by planning out and organizing your shingles ahead of time. The gaps must be staggered and the shingles come in random widths, so set piles of like widths together and it will be easier to grab the size shingle you need at the time. Bring all of your materials and tools up on the roof before you begin so you don't have to keep going up and down the ladder while you're working.
- The installation of the shingles starts at the bottom and works up toward the peak. The first shingle should overhang the gable end by an inch and eave end by 1 1/2 inches. The thicker part of the shingle goes down and, using a 3d roofing nail, nail 4 inches from the thick end up and 1 inch from the sides. The nails should be flush, not countersunk, with the shingle. Nail in the remaining shingles along the eave with a 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch gap between the shingles. You may have to cut the width of the last shingle to fit. The next row of shingle will overlap the first row completely to close up the gap between the shingles. The side and edge of this row should be flush with the first-row side and edge, but you want to overlap the gap by at least 1 1/2 inches. Nail in about an inch higher than the nails in the bottom course and 1 inch from each side. Complete the row keeping a ¼-inch or 3/8-inch gap between the shingles. Once the row is finished, snap a chalk line just under the row of nails. This is called an exposure line. Install the next row so that the thick end of the shingle lines up with the chalk line. Cover the gap below by at least 1 1/2 inches. Continue in this manner until you reach about 3 or 4 inches from the top and then shingle the other side of the roof, leaving the ridge for last.
- Measure your ridge and cut a piece of roofing paper 24 inches wide and the length of the ridge. Fold it over the ridge in half and staple it in place. The paper should overlap the last row of shingles that you installed. Install another row of shingles, trimming the thin edges to meet the ridge. Repeat the roofing paper installation, only this time it should be only 12 inches wide. Install the last row of shingles over the paper, trim to the ridge and nail about 2 1/2 inches from the ridge.
- To find the angle of the ridge, use a T bevel and some scrap 1-by-6 and 1-by-4 boards. Place the boards at the ridge and put the ends together. Set the T bevel to match the angle. Set the angle on a table saw and rip some of the scraps. Then test them on the roof to make sure the angle is correct. Make any necessary adjustments. Next, cut the 1-by-6 and 1-by-4 for the length of the ridge. You can join the boards with caulk and 6d box nails. Then nail the ridge cap in with 6d roofing nails every 12 inches on both sides. With the ridge cap in place, your roofing project is finished.
Preparing the Roof
Installing the Shingles
Shingle the Ridge
Install Ridge Cap
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