instruction_set

							Jonathan Howells

English 202C

Instruction Set



                                  How to Lay Common Three-Tab Shingles



During the course of the semester, I came across a set of instructions designed to teach the layperson

how to correctly shingle a roof. I felt that this set of instructions was lacking in content and also in visual

aids that could simplify the transmission of information. This instruction set is meant to be a revision of

that set, which can be found on my blog, which will make roofing easy to comprehend.


Roofing is a seemingly difficult task, one of which most people will not undertake. With proper

instruction and a little practice, anyone can become an efficient roofer and potentially save themselves

money and time. (Time required is dependent on roof size) This set of instructions is designed for use

after a new plywood sub roof has been laid or after original shingles and nails have been removed.


Warning: Before proceeding check safety instructions for all power tools being used, such as roofing

guns and ladders. Also make sure ladders or pump Jacks are properly stabilized so that the risk of falling

is minimized.


List of Materials:


       15# Felt Paper (1 roll covers a 20’X10’ Section)

       Drip Edge (Dependent on the Perimeter of the roof)

       Three Tab Shingles

       Electro Galvanized Roofing Nails

       Starter Shingles
       Roof Tar

       Shingles (4 bundles covers 10’X10’ area)



List of Tools:

       Roofing Gun

       Air Compressor

       Hammer

       Utility Knife and Blades

       Nail Pouch

       Pry Bar

       Tin Snips

       Caulking Gun



Note: It is recommended that installers wear sneakers so that shingle granules are not brushed off.



Installing Drip Edge:



    1) Position yourself comfortably on top of the roof.

    2) Retrieve a length of drip edge for installation. (Drip edge usually comes in 10’ lengths)

    3) Place drip edge securely along the perimeter of the roof, nailing into the roof’s plywood from

        the top down. Make sure the drip edge is tight against the roof. (Note: Nail Spacing should be

        approximately 10 inches)

    4) Once the first length of drip edge is secured down, continue placing more lengths down until a

        corner is reached. (overlap drip edge lengths by 6 inches)
    5) Once you encounter a corner, place the drip edge so that it continues down the roof line,

        leaving the excess hang off the roof. With a Pencil, mark the edge of the roof on the drip edge.

    6) With your tin snips, cut the top of the drip edge at the pencil mark. Now move to either side of

        you cut by about an inch, make a cut from this point to

        the original cut. This forms a V shape which allows for

        easy bending. (Note: only make cuts in the top of the

        drip edge, which will be marked by the manufacture)

        (Note Figure 1)

    7) Now bend the drip edge so that it wraps around the
                                                                      Figure 1: Drip Edge Placement
        corner and nail down.

    8) Continue this process until the perimeter of the roof has drip edge installed.




Placing Felt Paper:


    1. Starting from the bottom edge

        of the roof, unroll felt paper

        across the width of the roof,

        nailing every foot. Lines are

        provided along the felt paper

        for nailing recommendations.

        (Note Figure 2)                                  Figure 2: Felt (tar) Paper Placement

    2. Continue this process until you have covered the entire roof with felt paper. Remember to

        overlap the individual sections of tar paper, as this is the last defense against water forming on

        the plywood sub roof.
    3. Ice and water shield may be required around the perimeter of the roof. Check with local

        authorities.



Placing starter Shingles:

    1. At this point in your roofing project you can either use manufactured starter shingles or you can

        manipulate common three tab shingles to make your own. If you have purchased starter

        shingles, follow manufacturer’s instructions for this step.

    2. To make your own starter shingle, grab a shingle from one of your open bundles. Take this

        shingle and turn it upside down. Now take notice the black line of tar that runs the length of the

        shingle. This is a tar line and it is used to seal the layers of

        shingles together. Take your utility knife and cute the

        shingle above the tar line so that the tabs are removed.
                                                                           Figure 3: Cut Pattern for a
        This is now your starter strip. (Note Figure 3)
                                                                           Starter Shingle
    3. Place the shingle, tar line at the

        front edge of the roof. Make sure

        that the tar line is facing up; this is

        to create a edge seal with the first

        layer of shingles you will lay down.

        (Note Figure 4)

                                                           Figure 4: Starter Shingle Placement



    4. Continue to make starter strips and place them in this fashion until on row covers the front edge

        of the roof.

    5. For nailing patterns follow the instructions on the shingles bundle packaging.
   6. Lay Shingles:



   1. This is the easiest part of the roofing

       process. First, open up a bundle of

       shingles.

   2. Starting at one side of the roof, place

       shingles on top of the starter strip so that

       the edge of the shingles tabs is equal to the

       edge of the starter shingles.

   3. Continue to place shingles of the first row

       down until cover the width of the roof.                     Figure 5: Shingle Placement Pattern

   4. Now, place all subsequent rows down so that the tab edge of the shingles touches the tops of

       the water lines of the previous row of shingles, making sure to stager the water lines. (The

       water line of a shingle is the cutout division between the tabs.) (Note figure 5)

   5. Continue laying shingles in this manner until you have covered the entire roof.




Cap Shingles:


   1. Like the starter strips, cap (Ridge) shingles can be bought from a manufacturer or can be made

       from a three tab shingle. If using manufactured cap shingles, follow their directions and

       disregard this section.

   2. In order to make a cap shingle, take a normal three tab

       shingle and flip it over so that the back side of the

       shingle is showing.                                           Figure 6: How to Make a Cap
                                                                     Shingle Placement
    3. Cut Shingle to match that of Figure 6.

    4. Now place the cap shingles so that they over lap and cover the peak of the roof. (Note Figure 7)



    5. The last cap shingle will have two exposed nails

           which have to be covered in tar, so take out your

           caulking gun and spread tar over the nails.




                                                                     Figure 7: Cap Shingle Placement




Congratulations!!! You have now successfully shingled your roof.


For more information regarding the process, please refer to manufacturer specifications, as they may

vary from one to another.


Also, it is very important to review safety material so that you are fully aware of the risks associated with

roofing.