How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva reveals the best ways to secure shingles to a roof. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House:
Shopping List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
– 8-inch aluminum drip edge [ ]
– 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails [ ]
– 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper [ ]
– 3-tab shingles [ ]
Tools List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
– Chalk line [ ]
– Tape measure [ ]
– Hammer [ ]
– Rafter square [ ]
– Utility knife [ ]
Steps for How to Install Roof Shingles:
1. These project guidelines are for low roofs that allow easy access, such as those on porches, sheds, or doghouses. For larger roofs, hiring a professional roofing crew with proper fall protection is advised.
2. Line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house.
3. Using the chalk line, snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge.
4. Pull the drip edge down about a half-inch from that line to create a gap between the drip edge and the fascia board.
5. Nail the drip edge in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails and a hammer.
6. Repeat steps for gabled ends, installing the drip edge up the roof along the gable.
7. Lay out 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper and nail it in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails.
8. To lay out the design for the shingles, begin at the bottom of the roof and place a tape measure 1/2 inch from the edge of the roof to ensure the shingles overhang the drip edge.
9. 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. Do this on both sides of the roof.
10. Using the chalk line, snap a straight line on each 5-inch increment.
11. Use the chalk line to snap a straight line vertically every 6 inches.
12. Install a starter course by cutting off the three tabs on a shingle, leaving only the top tar section.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
Tumblr:
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at:
How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House
The instructions weren’t clear enough. I accidentally roofed my neighbors house, instead of mine.
@Michael M 16in
Nice to see you put the drip edge under the underlayment this time
Pretty funny!
I have never laughed so hard at a YouTube comment in my life!!!! haha!! thanks!
That’s funny?
Lots of good roofers on here…guess they just came here for a quick reference or something.
To sum it up:
1. you ever watch debunking videos, Mythbusters, news shows that chase scammers. etc? it’s kind of along those lines, mixed with America’s Funniest Home Videos.
2. every field has their respective groups on YouTube that go around correcting each other. Why would roofers be different than gamers, engineers, architects, and whatever reason you told yourself you made an account.
3. Watching people with no idea mess up bad is funny. Jack**s, red and green, any stoner movie, etc. To legitimate roofers, this video is that level of head slapping/ cringe worthy entertainment.
That is the thing about train wrecks, you know it’s gonna be awful, but you just can’t look away
@Lee Richards That’s what they all say…
I’m a 20 year bricklayer and I watch bricklaying videos ?♂️
I watch everything though. Lol
@tttarms1970 read the instructions on the bundle
If You Want To Build A Reliable Shed, You Need Knowledge of Foundations, Piling, Planning and More … So I’m giving you a comprehensive “how-to” guide on the basics of woodworking. Go here ==> *WoodBlueprints. Com*
Be sure to chalk ur line every 6inches on ur 30ft run.
I have watched this video 5 times while I have been shingling the doghouse. It has helped out quite a bit.
5 times? seriously?
And I bet your doghouse if perfect!
Thanks for the info, I needed a refreasher and this was perfect.
Everyone’s a pro roofer here.
@Armando Atcitty You mean… Like the people who made this video?
I’m a proofer
Yeah I know right…there the experts that’s why there on YouTube looking up how to shingle roofs.
Van Kham people do have a lot of experience, you’d be surprised what you can learn from other people
Thanks for the tutoring. ……Tom makes it look so easy.
Beautiful. I got it. Insha Allah (God willing) I can do a whole roof now from this six minute video. Great work and thanks.
@ The Bomb Child grow up, what a class act you are.
Very well done gentlemen. Thank you.
helpful information, thank you for sharing !!!
exposure ..oh my just understood thank you Tom
All the Sunday quarterbacks are out SMFH
Great basic video and intro!
Nice thank you!!
Question?
I GOT SOME DRIPEDGES LYING AROUND THAT ARE KIND OF BENT UP ALONG THE ACTUAL DRIP EDGE. THEY WERE LEFT HERE BY THE BUILDERS. CAN I STILL USE THEM OR NOT?
That cameraman needs to focus on where the locations of the nails.
Tommy your awesome, I’ve learned so much. Thank you thank you
I’m a roofer, I like how you make it simple and easy to understand. Good work.
Would be nice to have Tommy as an uncle.
Rather have Norm show me how to make a table out of scrap wood!
? not a dad?