How To Layout A Roof For Three Tab Shingles

Make sure that the tabs are lining up with the bottom line and that the tabs are facing down.

How to layout a roof for three tab shingles.

Use your chalk and tape measure to mark about 12 inches up on the roof for the first set of shingles. However make sure that you do not nail into the tar strip. If you are making your own starter shingles cut the tabs off for the starter course bottom row of shingles. Because shingles are easy to cut it is better to err on the side of too much as opposed to too little overhang.

Lay a starting row at the bottom of the roof along the edge. Place the glue strip at and all along the drip edge and the rake edges as well. Place nails in the three tab shingles about 3 4 inch 1 8 centimeters above the cutouts near where the tab meets the upper part of the shingle. Continue to chalk additional guidelines based on the width of the shingle through at least four courses rows across the roof.

For more photos and details on laying out three tab shingles click the view pdf button below. Known in the trade as vertical racking or staggering this how to lay shingles method enables the roofer to install a single column of shingles all the way to the peak without the wasted back and forth motion necessary to fill several rows of stair steps. You will once again need 4 nails whenever you are installing the 3 tab shingles. Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster.

If you are using a power nailer drive nails by squeezing the trigger and bouncing the nailer s tip onto the shingle. Attach and align shingles to attach a 3 tab shingle align it with the layout line and drive nails 1 2 inch above the cutout slots including the half slots at each side. You will shingle over this starter course so the bottom course will be double thickness. If need be i can go back later and trim the overhanging shingles.

To prepare the tabs and lay the starter course shorten the first starter shingle by 6 inches or about a half of one tab. Starting at the bottom of the roof map out a guideline with chalk.