Composite shingles are the most common and widely installed roofing material in America.
They are durable and they come in a variety of colors and styles. They are cost efficient, readily available, they have warranties that last from 25 to 50 years and they are relatively easy to install. For a worry free roof installation you should call a qualified professional roofing contractor, but if you are adventurous type you can Do-It-Yourself.
First of all, get a plan together. Find out how many roofing shingles you will need. It takes three bundles of shingles to cover 100 square feet. Measure your roof and find out how many bundles you are going to need. Remember, safety first. Think before you act. You may want to call a local roofing company.
Put together a list of tools and materials you will need to complete your scope of work. This should include, ladder, hammer, roofing knife, nails and nail caps, flashing, underlayment, etc. Remove the old existing shingles on the roof if this is a roof replacement. Clean the roof by sweeping or use a blower and remove nails that may be left over from removing the old shingles.
Next, install the underlayment using the nails caps to secure the felt. Overlap each run 3 inches. Many roofers are still using the old black felt but most are transitioning to synthetic felt because of its strength and light weight. At this point replace any metal flashing that is needed and install the metal drip edge around the perimeter of the house. The same is true with your starter shingles. They should be installed before you begin to install your new shingles.
New Roofing Shingles
Now to install the new shingles, Begin at the bottom of the roof line. Measure one half inch from the edge of the roof. This allows the shingles to overhang the drip edge one half inch then install your first row of shingles. Now lay out the design for your next row of shingles. Mark 12 inches up and pop a chalk line across the roof for the first row of shingles then 5 inches the rest of the way up the roof until you reach the ridge or peek of the roof. Each shingle should butt up next to each other and four to six nails should hold them in place. In some areas code calls for six nails to be used. Repeat the process all the way across the roof and on all sides.
Once you have completed the field on all sides of the roof you are now ready to install the ridge cap shingles. Beginning at the end of the ridge bend a single tab shingle over the ridge and nail it down. Then nail the next ridge shingle so it will cover the nails on the first. Repeat the process across to the other end. Nail the last shingle in place and use roofing cement around the bottom edge and then dab cement over the last exposed nails. And you’re finished.