How To Lay Shingles On A Roof

Use the chalk line to snap a straight line vertically every 6 inches.

How to lay shingles on a roof.

Known in the trade as vertical racking or staggering this how to lay shingles method enables the roofer to install a single column of shingles all the way to the peak without the wasted back and forth motion necessary to fill several rows of stair steps. Continue laying your shingles horizontally up the roof. Do this on both sides of the roof. 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.

Next lay the first full row of shingles so they re directly covering the starter row. Repeat this on both sides of the roof. Once you ve done that cut your shingles to size if they re not already. To install asphalt shingles start by installing underlayment and new flashing on the roof.

Every 5 inches make a new mark until you get to the rop of the roof. To lay out the design for the shingles begin at the bottom of the roof and place a tape measure inch from the edge of the roof to ensure the shingles overhang the drip edge. Then begin nailing the shingles to the roof working in rows and starting at the edge of the roof.