10 Easy Steps to Install Concrete Shingles on Your Roof
- July 18, 2023
- Blog
What are Roof Shingles?
Roof Shingles are a roofing material consisting of overlapping tiles that act as a waterproofing membrane for your roof. They come in rectangular and flat shape to provide a smooth and uniform finish for your roof. They can be made of wood, bitumen, plastic and metal.
Roof shingles are installed in a way that the seam is overlapped by the next shingles row and thus create a waterproofing barrier for your roof. They are designed to be water and snow-repellent.
What are the Main Benefits of Shingles?
Durability
Depending upon the quality of the material, shingles are a pretty durable roofing material with a life span of 20-25 years if subjected to proper maintenance. However, if you install low-quality shingles, they will exhibit a much higher rate of deterioration and can increase the maintenance cost considerably.
Energy Efficiency
Shingles can play their role in increasing the energy efficiency of your house. Light colour shingles tend to reflect sunlight and, therefore, can control the temperature conditions inside the building. However, different materials have different properties under the sunlight and affect the temperature conditions of the building differently.
Aesthetics
Shingles provide a smooth and eye-catching look to the building if installed properly. Keep in mind that the entire look of the roof depends upon the material you choose and the quality of installation and finishing.
10 Easy Steps to Install Roof Shingles
Step 1: Gather your supplies
The first step is to gather the tools and other supplies that you are going to need during the process. We have provided a checklist of all tools that you are going to need below:
- Rubber-soled footwear
- A knife
- Eye protection
- Hammer
- Roof shovel
- Safety harness and line
- A straight edge
- Tarp
- Chalk line
- A broom
- Hard hat
- Gloves
- Toolbelt
- A dumpster
Step 2: Remove old shingles if you have:
Before installing new shingles, it’s important to remove any existing shingles from the roof. This includes nails and underlayment as well. You can use a roof shovel to make things easy for you. However, you need to be careful around sensitive points like chimneys.
Step 3: Prepare the Roof
Inspect the roof for any damaged or rotten sections. Replace or repair any damaged areas before proceeding. Ensure that the roof deck is free from debris and clean of any loose nails or other objects that could interfere with the shingle installation.
Step 4: Install the drip edges
Attach the drip edges along the eaves of the roof, starting from the bottom edge and working your way up. Secure them with roofing nails or staples, ensuring they overhang the edge of the roof slightly to direct water away from the fascia.
Step 5: Install the underlayment
Unroll the underlayment material, such as roofing felt or synthetic underlayment, starting from the bottom edge of the roof. Overlap each subsequent row by a few inches. Attach the underlayment to the roof deck using roofing nails or staples.
Step 6: Install the first row
Begin at the bottom edge of the roof and align the first row of shingles, ensuring they are straight and parallel to the edge of the roof. Secure each shingle with roofing nails, placing them just above the adhesive strip or designated nailing area on the shingle.
Step 7: Mark the roof for the rest of the shingles
Using a chalk line or other marking tool, create horizontal guidelines across the roof to ensure consistent placement of the remaining shingles. These lines will guide the installation of each row of shingles.
Step 8: Install the remaining shingles
Starting from the bottom and working your way up, install each row of shingles along the marked guidelines. Align the shingles with the guidelines and with each other, using the appropriate overlap as specified by the shingle manufacturer. Secure the shingles with roofing nails.
Step 9: Install the ridge cap
Cut the ridge cap shingles to size and secure them along the ridge line of the roof. Overlap each ridge cap shingle to ensure a watertight seal. Nail them in place and use roofing cement or adhesive as necessary for additional security.
Step 10: Clean up the mess
Remove any leftover debris, discarded shingles, and unused materials from the roof and the surrounding area. Dispose of them properly. Use a broom or a blower to clean the roof surface and ensure it is free from any loose nails or other hazards.