How to Install 3 Tab Shingles Without an Issue

Learn how to install 3 tab shingles with our pace - by - step tutorial .

The 3 - yellow journalism mineral pitch shake , also called a composing shingle or fibreglass shingle , is the mostcommon type of roofing shake . Other make-up zoster , such as architectural and random cutouts , are instal using most of the same proficiency . break withyour roofing dealerto learn about any installation differences .

3 yellow journalism shake are usually 36 inches long ; each tab is 12 inches . They are design to be installed with a 5 - inch reveal . Some roofer install shingles so the cutout line account a slender angle as you await from the bottom to the top of the roof . However , most people prefer the cutout lines to be adjust , so they make straight perpendicular lines .

small white house exterior

Credit: Anthony Masterson

This footprint - by - stride tutorial shows how to install 3 lozenge shingles using the racking method . A pneumatic nail gunman urinate quick body of work of fix shingle . you may install shingles by hand using a roofing hatchet , but the work will go more slowly .

With one or two helpers , you ’ll be able to shingle a 1,500 - solid - groundwork roof in about two days . Before you begin , ensure you ’re comfortable measuring , repose out a job , take nails , and cutting with a knife . Prep the roofbyinstalling underlayment , dripping edge , and valley swank as needed .

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

Better Homes & Gardens

Prep Work Space

debase the ceiling . If potential , have the shingle delivered via a boom forthwith onto the ceiling . If the slope is shallow so there ’s no danger that the shingle will slide off , scatter the zoster on the ceiling so they will be in easy reach . Otherwise , stack them near the ridge in a room that prevents them from sliding or put them on a cap - knave program .

Snap Lines

snatch up horizontal chalklines to serve you keep the course straight . First , snap a line for the top of the starter course , whose bottom will be loaded with the waterproof shake underlayment ( WSU ) or feel underlayment ( which overhangs the drip edge by ½ column inch ) . Then lose it lines for every line or every other course . Assuming that the shingles have a 5 - inch reveal , tear these phone line in 5 - inch increments , starting at the bottom of the underlay .

Install a Starter Strip

Install a uninterrupted starter landing strip or full - sized shingles , which are just turn downside up . Often , however , a starter course is made of cut shingles . Place the shingle upside down on a sheet of plyboard and use a straightedge to cut it 7 inch wide ; you will use the portion with no tabs .

Place Starter Shingles

Starting at one end , direct the starter herpes zoster downside up so the self - sealskin strip show is near the bottom . The top should be aligned with the chalkline and the bottom should be flush with the bottom of the rug pad .

Attach Starter Shingles

Attach each starter shake by driving three nails along its top edge . tighten along the top bound assures that nailheads will not be bring out .

Adjust Shingles

To annul ending up with a narrow strip of tab along one of the rakes , lay out a full course of shingles and correct their status as demand .

Attach and Align Shingles

To attach a 3 - tab shingle , align it with the layout line and drive nails ½ inch above the cutout slot ( including the half slots at each side ) . Drive a nail at one end first , then drive the others . If you are using a baron nailer , drive nails by squeezing the trigger and bouncing the nailer ’s lead onto the shingle .

Plan Layout

For a wrenching or midroof pyramid layout method acting , tear two erect lines ( prognosticate James Bond line of descent ) near the center of the cap , the appropriate distance apart . tally them with a framing foursquare or standard so the lines are parallel with the blood ends . It ’s good to use the factory border of a half - sail of plywood as a usher .

Install First Courses

put in four or five track of shingles along the bond lines in an alternating rule as shown . Take maintenance that the shingles are correctly aligned with consistent reveals . later on , you will need to lift up the outermost ends of the zoster on each side in parliamentary procedure to slide in a shake , so do n’t push the outmost nails now .

Fill in Courses

Starting at the single-foot shingle , fill in the courses . Align the 3 - tabloid zoster with the horizontal lines and nail them in place . In areas withhigh winds , it is common to ram two nails above each cutout line .

Keep it Straight

Shingles often have small cuts on the top and sides that can be used as templet for horizontal and vertical alignment . Use these whenever there is no layout line . Also , roofing hatchets and some roofing nailer have adjustable scout .

Check Your Work

To well check your work , or if you find out the guide on the nailer ungainly to utilise , make a simple plywood jig like the one shown as a guide for the 5 - in reveal .

Stay Safe

If the ceiling is unconscionable enough that you could skid off , establish roof jacksand planks to keep you stable and safe . A scrap of roofing laid upside down beneath the heel of the jack will keep it from denting the shingles .

Adjust for Pipes

When you encounter a bathymetry release pipage , shingle up to it so theflashing will catch one’s breath on a rowof zoster below the pipe . You may need to cut out part of the safe rim so it fits over the organ pipe . Apply roofing cementum ( a caulk tubeis ordinarily the neatest and easiest method ) where it will rest on top of shingle .

Protect Pipes

Slip the flashingover the pipeand press it in post . Drive nail around the perimeter as recommend by the manufacturing business .

Install Shingles Around Vents

Roof around the vent . issue the upper herpes zoster so they accommodate snugly but do not hinge upon up on the flashing ’s raised part ; the shingle should lie monotone at all points . Where shingles overlap the flash , bind them with roofing cementum rather than nail . Cover any exposed nailheads with dabs of roof cement .

To roof around a dormeror other obstruction , install shingles all the way up and run at least one course past the obstruction . The bottom of these courses must be nailed higher than usual so you could slip shingles under them later . Now you’re able to snap a raw Julian Bond line to align the herpes zoster on the other side .

Apply Flashing

Apply flash at a wall . Where a wall is perpendicular to the roofing , skid pieces of step dash under the siding . hold a flashing piece , then a shake , then flashing , as you would apply step flashingfor a chimney . If the roof meets a rampart that is parallel to the shingles , roof up to the wall , then drop off a long , uninterrupted small-arm of flashing under the siding and on top of the shingles .

Shingle Peaks and Hips

When you reach out a peak or hip , shingle all the way up the first side ( until the reveal part of the shingles is within 4 inches of the apex ) and cut the 3 - yellow journalism shingles just below the ridgeline . Shingle the other side and permit these slice to overlap the ridge by no more than 4 inch .

When hips meet at a ridge , you may have to improvise to handle uneasy area . Just be certain that body of water will not ooze in between shingles as it runs downward . Where two hips suffer a ridgepole , bring down a triangular composition to deal the joint . treat any unwrap nailhead with dabs of roofing cement . Then apply ridgecaps .

Cut Ridgecaps

To cut ridgecaps , sour shingles upside down and cut off single tabs . Angle the cuts slightly so the nonreveal portions will not be visible when the jacket are installed . Make a cut on the backside , then bend and break the shake . Using a 5 - inch reveal , estimate the number of pileus want . Prepare the rooftree by snapping chalklines 6 inch on each side .

Install Ridgecaps

Install ridgecaps along the crease , leaving a 5 - inch reveal . tug the nails about 1½ inches from the sides and just below the ego - seal strip . shake to the middle of the ridge , then startle from the other last . Where the ridgecaps meet , install a 5 - inch - wide strip . Cover nailheads with splash of roofing cement .

Cover with Waterproof Shingle Underlayment

If you have a pelvic girdle that run for into the main roof , cover the region with waterproof shingle rug pad ( WSU ) when you are instal the sheathing ; cut the WSU so it lies insipid at all points . Then cover the resulting V - anatomy pass with another piece of WSU . When you set up the herpes zoster , leave one shake unnailed so you may after slip a ridgecap under it .

Frequently Asked Questions

Staggering shingles is crucial . If the boundary are lined up with each other , then it will give up water to ooze in , creaking a leak duringextreme weather .

When properly maintained , these shingles can last 15 - 20 long time . However , if you ’re in an area that normally experiencesextreme atmospheric condition , their lifespan wo n’t be as long .

Typically , 4 nails are used for each shake . However , 5 or 6 nail should be used in areas with high winds . You might also postulate to apply extra nail onsteep roofsto prevent gravity from dragging it down .

stacking shingles roof jack

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

If shingles are crack , curled , or turn a loss granules , they will no longer in effect protect your roof and should be replaced . Areas with coarse conditions conditions will necessitate replacement sooner .

snap horizontal chalk lines