An asphalt shingle roof is eye-catching and beautiful but also sturdy and long-lasting. It can protect your property, so it’s often one of the best alternatives if you want your house to stay safe, even if snow, thunderstorms, and heavy rain are upon you.
Although many people choose to do things independently, others prefer hiring professionals when installing asphalt shingle roofs. There are a few things you should know about this process.
What Is the Proper Way to Install an Asphalt Shingle Roof?
If you plan on replacing your roof shingles, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. On the one hand, you’ll need roofing materials, but you must also consider other factors.
You’ll have to choose the installation method you’ll follow to install roof shingles. At the same time, you must use the proper tools, put the new shingles in, and ensure that the outcomes are long-lasting and aesthetically pleasant.
You Won’t Finish Your Asphalt Shingle Installation Overnight
Overall, installing shingles takes a long time, so the most convenient option is hiring experts.
Although you could install roof shingles yourself, when you trust professionals to do the job, you don’t have to worry about them doing something wrong by accident. Instead, you can relax while they take care of it.
How Do You Install the First Row of Asphalt Shingles?
If you decide to install shingles yourself, you must proceed cautiously and try to get the best results possible.
Indeed, it’s not a particularly hard process, but it can be challenging for some people, and it’s also very time-consuming.
Detailed Instructions
Firstly, you’ll have to size your architectural shingles depending on your desired design. Before thinking about the drip edge or roofing nails, you’ll need to make a plan.
Once you do that, you should lay a row starting from the bottom of the roof. Then, cover the narrow row with your first few shingles.
Lay your second row of new shingles, and go around chimneys, holes, and other vents is necessary. Lastly, using a ridge-capping layer, get the edges together.
Ready to give your roof a fresh look? Follow our step-by-step guide to installing asphalt shingles like a pro. #HomeImprovement #RoofingGuide
— Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR (@WDRofAustin) July 28, 2023
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Is Underlayment Necessary for Asphalt Shingles?
In short, yes. If you’re installing an asphalt shingle roof, you’ll need a minimum of one layer of underlayment to get the best results.
As mentioned before, installing an asphalt shingle roof is not very difficult, but it requires attention to detail.
You must know what you’re doing, lest you make a mistake, have to do it all over again, and pay more money.
What Do Roofers Put Under Shingles?
Roofers often put underlayment, tar, or felt paper under the asphalt shingle roof. It protects your roof, adding an extra layer of material.
Many people who want an asphalt shingle roof are prone to suffering the effects of harsh weather, and they often have to endure thunderstorms, heavy rain, or snow storms.
Fortunately, installing asphalt shingles is convenient because it protects your property. Moreover, that’s where underlayment comes in.
The main purpose of tar paper is to provide an extra layer to your asphalt shingle roof so that it doesn’t suffer as much whenever it’s hit by harsh weather or other challenging environmental conditions.
Understanding the Different Ways to Install Asphalt Shingles
Shingle installation requires knowledge of the process, and there are different ways to get it done. If you want to choose the most convenient alternative, you must understand your various options.
Racking vs. Step Shingling
The two most common methods you can use for shingle installation are racking and step shingling.
Racking
Also known as vertical racking, the former consists of putting shingles from the ledge to the top, moving in a vertical line.
The idea is to remove existing shingles and place new ones so that the bottom edge of each overlap with the shingle below it. Consequently, you’ll create a sturdy barrier protecting your property against water.
Step Shingling
Alternatively, step shingle installation involves laying them across the edge, starting on the left side.
Then, you have to use roofing materials, cut five shingles of decreasing size, and install a vertical column.
Once you install the whole column of starter shingles, you can add new rows in a stair-step pattern.
Your starter shingles overlap with the ones below and create a thick structure, protecting your house.
What’s Best?
Regardless of how you place the shingles on your asphalt shingle roof, you’ll get a thick and sturdy barrier if you know how to do the process correctly. Ice and water won’t penetrate your property!
Nail Gun vs. Hand Nailing
After deciding between the step shingling and racking methods, you must choose how to install the asphalt shingle roof. There are two options: nailing by hand or using a nail gun.
Which One Should You Use?
Each alternative has pros and cons, and to choose the best one, you must examine the roof sheathing (the surface under the shingles).
What’s the Difference?
If you see a lot of holes, using a nail gun may not be the best idea because you won’t be able to attach the asphalt shingle roof properly.
Nonetheless, if your sheathing is in good condition, going for a nail gun is probably the best idea because it’s quicker and more efficient.
The type of shingles you use can also influence whether you nail by hand or use a gun. High-quality materials prevent nails from going all the way through.
Therefore, check out your shingle manufacturer and see if you have top-notch materials.
Step-by-step Installation Guide
If you decide to install your asphalt shingle roof yourself, you must follow specific steps to get the best results possible, especially if you’ve never done this before. Take a look!
Be Safe
You’ll be working on the roof’s edge, so you must be careful. Protecting you and your house from damage is essential.
Clean the Area
Firstly, make sure the area is clean. You can’t remove old shingles or place new ones if you’re not working in the best environment.
Check the Weather
Whether installing your entire asphalt shingle roof or getting started with the roofing materials, remember that you’ll be working at quite a height.
Therefore, weather conditions must be favorable for you to get it done. Check out the forecast before beginning!
Wear the Right Clothes
Installing shingles is physical labor. You have to wear the right clothes. Otherwise, you’ll be uncomfortable and put yourself at risk because you could trip.
Use Ladders
Lastly, since you’ll be up so high, you must use ladders while installing each asphalt shingle. Their base should be on the ground, firmly, and you must feel stable when you’re going up and down.
Prepare the Roof Deck
You must get your roof ready after you’ve taken the necessary precautions to stay safe.
Although asphalt shingle roof alternatives are beautiful and long-lasting, keep in mind that installing them is incredibly time-consuming.
You’ll realize how long this will take when you put your first starter shingle on your roof. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you get tired along the way – it’s completely normal!
Remove Debris and Old Roofing Materials
In many cases, roofs have branches, debris, and twigs. Remove all of this before getting started. If not, you won’t be able to make the shingles overlap while installing them.
Install Flashing
The flashing consists of metal strips covering the joints between the protrusions on your roof, such as vents, chimneys, skylights, and so on.
Should You Get New Flashing?
You don’t necessarily need to install brand-new flashing every single time you replace your shingles. If it’s in good condition, you can leave it there.
However, if there’s any corrosion, lifting, damage, or curling, you should replace it before laying out your shingle courses.
Plan Your Layout
Regardless of whether you’re working with asphalt or wood shingles, it would be best if you planned how you want your roof to look.
Planning Is Essential
Think about how you want the outcomes to be before nailing the shingles in place. Laying them out correctly will create a sturdy, beautiful, water-resistant barrier that protects your property!
Install Your Shingles
You’ll be ready to install your shingles if you complete all the previous steps. Make sure to check out the manufacturer’s instructions on your product since they always offer valuable information when it comes to nailing the shingles down.
Start the Process
To install your shingles, you’ll have to work across the roof. Furthermore, you must use the proper nailing technique and follow a pattern until the end.
Then, you can cut the last shingle to ensure your roof is not out in the open.
Roof Replacements Are Costly
Even though you can learn how to install roof shingles, this process is very costly.
The best alternative is always to hire a roofing contractor because you’ll eliminate the chances of it going wrong – experts know what to do!