How to Lay Shingles

Laying Roof Shingles

• 1). Begin by applying the ice and rain shield around the entire perimeter of the roof. Try to allow the ice and rain shield to hang 1/2 in. over the edge of the roofing plywood.
  
  
• 2). Apply roofing felt over the ice and rain shield and all over the surface of the roof. When applying the felt be sure to overlap each section by at least three inches. Apply nails every 18 in. along the felt in an offset pattern that looks like a "W" when you are done.
  
  
• 3). Install the drip edge after the felt. Allow the drip edge to hang 1/2 in. over the plywood decking on the roof. Allow the drip edge to overlap by three in. when you reach a seam. The drip edge needs to be secured in order to withstand high winds, so apply a nail no less than every three to four in.
  
  
• 4). Determine where the starter strip will be installed and then snap a chalk line along the roof felt to help you create a straight line of shingles. Apply the starter layer, allowing it to hang over the plywood edge by 1/2 in.
  
  
• 5). Prior to installing each successive row, snap a chalk line where the shingles will be nailed to help insure the roof shingles stay straight. Overlap the exposed part of the shingles by one in. on each layer.