How to Lay Asphalt Shingles
- 1). Cut the shingles face down on a flat surface. Use a sharp utility knife to make incisions. Place each shingle against a carpenter's square and bend the shingle to break it off at the line created by the utility knife. Continue until you have enough shingles for the area you will be working on.
- 2). Lay a starter course. A starter course is the first row of shingles along the eaves of the house. The starter course should be cut so that the entire row is 9-inch wide, with the exception of the first shingle which should be cut to approximately 3 inch to stagger the subsequent rows. Secure each shingle one- by-one using 1 1/4 inch roofing nails and a nail gun approximately 3 inches above the eaves. Allow for 1/2-inch overhang on the front row, along with 1/16-inch space between each shingle for proper drainage. Use four nails per shingle to ensure they are properly attached.
- 3). Nail the first row over the starter course using full-width shingles. Maintain the same 1/2-inch overhang at the rakes and eaves and 1/16-inch between shingles. Successive row of shingles should be staggered so that the width of the first shingle is adjusted each time. This will ensure that each row is not perfectly aligned with the one below it. Continue nailing shingles using 9-inch wide shingles until you reach the peak.
- 4). Install the ridge shingles to the peak of your house. Begin on the side of your home opposite from the direction that the wind blows most often. Use nails that are at least 2 inch long to ensure that they penetrate the wood below it. Continue working until the entire peak of the house is shingled.
- 5). Follow the same instructions for the opposite side of the roof.
