Staggering Roof Shingles

It s critical to follow the manufacturer s instructions for the specific roof shingle because not all shingles have the same exposure the part of the shingle that s visible once installed offset the lateral distance between joints in successive courses sometimes called stagger or edge to edge spacing and or nail placement.

Staggering roof shingles.

Before you install your first shingle use your utility knife to cut 6 inches off of the side then lay it on your roof allowing the architectural shingles to hang between 1 2 to 2 inches over the edge. Only stack a few bundles high so there s no risk of them toppling over. There is a small cut at the top of each shingle marking the cut line for the half tabs and you split the shingle at the tab marker for the full tab cuts. Laminate shingles should preferably not be bent over the roof ridge or hips.

The piece you cut off can be used on the other end after trimming to length to finish the course rather than using a full shingle. If your roof s width is not an even multiple of the shingle s length you will have a partial piece on one end of each row. Ideal for whole house or accent applications double 7 staggered perfection shingles create a warm friendly look that is at the same time ruggedly beautiful. Most asphalt shingles are 3 feet 91 4 centimeters in length.

You may carefully lay 3 tab shingle bundles over the roof ridges or hips so long as you don t lay too many bundles in the same spot. Measure the length of a shingle as it lies across the roof. Shingle the other side and allow these pieces to overlap the ridge by no more than 4 inches. Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster.

This will help determine how the shingles will lay on the roof width. When you reach a peak or hip shingle all the way up the first side until the reveal portion of the shingles is within 4 inches of the peak and cut the 3 tab shingles just below the ridge.