First Row For Roof

To make your own use the flat solid part of the shingles.

First row for roof.

For the first row of shingles called a starter course or strip you cut the tabs off three tab shingles and apply them with the self sealing adhesive strip facing up along the eave. Make sure this row has a slight overhang 1 4 to 3 8 in beyond the drip edge. Measure the length of a shingle as it lies across the roof. This should leave you with about 1 2 of the shingle left.

The height distance up the roof of the starter slate must be at least 3 inches greater than the vertical exposure on the first course of slate. This will help determine how the shingles will lay on the roof width. Work up from the initial row starting at the lower corner in a diagonal pattern staggering the shingles to prevent gaps. Lay the first row of shingles directly covering the narrow starter row.

The exposure on the first course of slates may be reduced by dropping the chalk line for the top of the second course of slates in order to increase the headlap on the starter course. To begin installing the first shingles on your roof cut off the three tabs on the shingle. Make sure you keep this first row straight using the ice and water shield as a guide. 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 subscr. Cut six inches off the length of the first starter shingle nailed on then use the rest of them full size. 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. Begin your first row at the lower left corner of your roof.

Lay the starter row of metal shingles at the drip edge and affix to the roof with metal roofing nails. Using a utility knife cut them off at the bottom of the adhesive strip. Snap a horizontal chalk line over the starting row to use as a guide. Shifting them in this way will join the ends of the first regular row of shingles placed over the starter shingles.

Most asphalt shingles are 3 feet 91 4 centimeters in length. The first row of shingles is called a starter strip. You can either purchase starter strips or make your own by cutting shingles to size. When installing the paper you will overlap the felt paper per local building code usually 2 4.