How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House

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.)
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Shopping List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
- 8-inch aluminum drip edge [amzn.to/2WN1Vdq]
- 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails [amzn.to/2VHIV3u]
- 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper [amzn.to/2WMSTwV]
- 3-tab shingles [amzn.to/30sGBvV]
Tools List for How to Install Roof Shingles:
- Chalk line [amzn.to/2QbrSRG]
- Tape measure [amzn.to/2HoL3V6]
- Hammer [amzn.to/2HxNQds]
- Rafter square [amzn.to/2VJVU4Z]
- Utility knife [amzn.to/2JpQR2X]
Steps for How to Install Roof Shingles:
1. These project guidelines are for low roofs that allow easy access, such as those on porches, sheds, or doghouses. For larger roofs, hiring a professional roofing crew with proper fall protection is advised.
2. Line up aluminum drip edge flush with the edge of the roof and make a pencil line at the top on each end of the house.
3. Using the chalk line, snap a line between the two marks to get a straight edge.
4. Pull the drip edge down about a half-inch from that line to create a gap between the drip edge and the fascia board.
5. Nail the drip edge in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails and a hammer.
6. Repeat steps for gabled ends, installing the drip edge up the roof along the gable.
7. Lay out 30-lb. asphalt roofing felt paper and nail it in place using 1 1/4-inch galvanized roofing nails.
8. To lay out the design for the shingles, begin at the bottom of the roof and place a tape measure 1/2 inch from the edge of the roof to ensure the shingles overhang the drip edge.
9. Mark 12 inches up on the roof for the first course of shingles, then mark every 5 inches all the way up the roof to set your reveal. Do this on both sides of the roof.
10. Using the chalk line, snap a straight line on each 5-inch increment.
11. Use the chalk line to snap a straight line vertically every 6 inches.
12. Install a starter course by cutting off the three tabs on a shingle, leaving only the top tar section.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Install Roof Shingles | Ask This Old House
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[@davem6685]

The knowledge Tommy has is immeasurable. We need more guys like him.

[@deanakitchen7617]

He could measure it😂

[@brian1801]

Tommy reminds me of my father. Gosh I miss him and how much he knew. Every day was a learning opportunity. Thanks This Old House. Another excellent instructional video.

[@psynurse]

I just watched another KZbin channel on how to install roofing... Then came here. The explanation was much much better and easier to understand. Only thing I liked about other channel was explaining how certain areas of country require more nails per shingle due to wind and why you offset shingles to of course overlap but also making sure nails are covered.... This video hit the nail on the head for me. I think I can do it

[@mcdonaldaaron0]

I'm a roofer, I like how you make it simple and easy to understand. Good work.

[@MontegutMQ]

Question. I have a leak, that appears to be from nails that are below the tar strip, and just under the edge of the upper shingle. That’s where the deck is soft and there is no damage to the shingles. Why put nails below the tar strip? I saw Tom doing this as well. Is that normal?

[@user-jj9pe5nz5y]

Sorry but your installation from start is wrong.

[@Pallidus_Rider]

Would be nice to see a follow up video on doing a sectional patch - replacing a few bad shingles 🙏

[@BlackLocustPatriot]

I have watched this video 5 times while I have been shingling the doghouse. It has helped out quite a bit.

[@IamBayr]

And I bet your doghouse if perfect!

[@emeralddragon2010]

5 times? seriously?

[@motorcyclelad]

Me too😄 but a shed

[@alsacs3635]

Thanks for this tutorial Tommy. I just built a shed and used your instruction to shingle the roof.

[@jaycie5021]

Just shingled for the first time last week. On a garrage. And just a patch. Even still I was thankful I didn't have to leave the ladder. TOH is a big part of why I felt confident enough to patch a squirrel hole for my mother.

[@ruthbell6343]

No worries at all! My Shed Plans brings me up to speed with professional tips and tricks used by the pros [Go Here=> *WoodBlueprints. Com* ]. It really let me learn how to handle carpenter equipment, follow the right safety rules, and how to do your projects professionally so that they will look good and last!

[@pointblank6467]

I really appreciate you guys for making these how to videos. Very informative and professional. Thank you so much!

[@maxomara2016]

This video was very useful!! I’m trying to learn to fix the roof of our shed that got busted in a storm and this is the first video I’ve actually understood. Everything was explained very clearly and concisely!

[@rhondajimer7182]

when i built our shed i used a plan from *WoodBlueprints. Com* and it had all the blueprints, supplies, materials, and list well laid out for me.

[@ronstrate1390]

Thanks for the info, I needed a refreasher and this was perfect.

[@rubenvargas3547]

Tommy your awesome, I’ve learned so much. Thank you thank you

[@HeyLookWhatICanDo]

To the top of the treehouse. Thanks for the confidence to tackle this project 🙌🏼

[@gdblackthorn4137]

I never used the drip edge. I always just flipped a row of shingles over on the edge and then went back over with another row over top as he shows here! I have never seen anyone draw chalk lines vertically across the roof! The drip edge does seem like a good improvement! I highly recommend drawing chalk lines to keep your rows straight! If you are not experienced you may get out of line and it will be crooked!

[@ReadwithChimey]

We need to fix our shed's roof, and the knowledge shared here should definitely help us. Thank you kindly.

[@eastriverequinehospital2264]

Fantastic video. Very well composed.

[@josephnorcalusa1710]

helpful information, thank you for sharing !!!

[@bosse641]

Thanks for the tutoring. ......Tom makes it look so easy.

[@AydinBalcik1]

what a delicate treatment. Great job. Thank you very much for the instructions...

[@marspierce.8267]

My name is Darrell Pierce,Milwaukee, Wisconsin iv been doing masonry restoration for 27yrs. Me and my buddy Scott used to always say wouldn't it be great to learn from Tommy now it awesome he has apprentices i wish i was 20 yrs.younger cuz i would love to learn from him,keep up the great work to all you guys at toh if Mark your Mason is ever in Milwaukee again i would love to show him around the buildings i worked on,some over 150 years old.

[@mikekerr6747]

Nice job Tommy.... Nice and straight👍

[@gdblackthorn4137]

These were really good instructions.

[@sharit7970]

Thanks for posting...my garage needs it, and with this refresher I think I can...I think I can...

[@IamBayr]

All fun to watch, but google "install shingles" and get better advice, w/step by step!

[@SouthCountyRoofing]

Tom rocks, is there anything he can't do! I would like Tom to critique or roof leak detection videos. I bet he could teach our team a thing or two.

[@anyweatherroofingexperts]

great video illustrating ways to install roof shingles

[@jhi1947]

Tomy Silva is the man!

[@luismendoza363]

Very good señor Thank you very much I enjoy your shows very much!!!

[@michaelechivester6478]

To someone who doesn't do this type of work for a living , or isn't paying attention to detail, or doesn't have common sense as some would say. Make sure you are backsetting or offsetting, or more simply make sure you are cutting each course on the rake side or outside . If you cut on the inside they will not line up correctly. I was cutting the shingles from the backside with exposure towards me then when I flipped the shingle from right side to left side the cutouts were lining up on top of each course. Not sure if I explained it correctly ,but I guess maybe I helped someone like me that don't have to much experience or know how in this field. So when I was doing the cuts I was cutting on the left then when I flipped the left to right the cut edge was on my right. The offset looked correct (6 inch offset) , but the cutouts of each course was lining up to the previous course.

[@chrismoltisanti2763]

Be sure to chalk ur line every 6inches on ur 30ft run.

[@kralljazz]

I always look to these guys to do it right...........USMC and yes we will get it done the first time thanx..........

[@shannonwyatt1286]

Lots of good roofers on here...guess they just came here for a quick reference or something.

[@leerichards3682]

42 yrs roofing for me, I watch these types of videos every now and then, mostly when I need a good solid laugh!!

[@AnonYmous-qg4ph]

@@leerichards3682 Me to!

[@tttarms1970]

@@leerichards3682 can you suggest some good roofing videos? I'm looking to do my garage roof...

[@Mixwell1983]

I have been a roofer for 95 years and I can tell you he is doing it wrong. We used to forge our nails out of old long swords and horse shoes. I used to walk uphill both ways to get the shoes off the horses.

[@Mixwell1983]

@@leerichards3682 wooosh

[@joanthancortese5313]

I love this old guy. He knows it all "thumbs up"

[@WesleyAdderiy-w3s]

very good content

[@isaacibarra680]

Thanks a lot brother you’re awesome you explain things perfectly🤙🏼😊

[@gracerenovations5243]

Great video!. Thanks

[@paulsccna2964]

straight forward explanation of how to install shingles.

[@josesorto5298]

Love this guy videos 🙏🙌

[@jerryylitalo6633]

Great video!

[@timmackinnon5547]

Simple and straightforward. Excellent video.

[@user-jj9pe5nz5y]

He did only one thing right drip edge everything else was wrong. Us professionals do it right. YOU ALWAYS SET YOUR STARTER ON THE OVERHANG GABLE FIRST THAN THE BUTTOM EDGE.

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

Well done.

[@johnbaptist7476]

No roofing people do such a beautiful job as you do .For real ∞ ❤👌🙏👍👏󾓦✟

[@sgreen4865]

I'm going to do this tomorrow. I hope it works out. Great video

[@vandresv]

Good Luck! I just found out I have leaking in my attic. That's why I am here.

[@walter.bellini]

Great stuff thank you

[@abelzelaya7209]

Thanks a lot for this great info.😊

[@jayrowe8782]

Nice thank you!!

[@mr.doityourselfandsave4369]

Great video your awesome !!!

[@alvarojimenez5705]

Great professional video

[@joelpelletier8860]

Perfect video for a homeowner

[@mr.doityourselfandsave4369]

You awesome !!! Very professional

[@tommy2064]

Wow, mad respect. 🙏🏼💯

[@jwlivingston1]

everyone should always come to this old house first, now i got to go undo some stuff, thanks

[@Zlatkoraper]

Good job, thank you.

[@sergiozalamea6922]

Thanks a lot sir. Unvaluable.

[@sethkayler450]

Invaluable. Lol

[@dl4065]

What a great video

[@angelicaperez8566]

How on earth did I think this show was boring as a kid? That was great!

[@bryenlink]

Right?!

[@ro63rto]

When the weather is better, going to re-board my shed roof and instead of the crappy bitumen or whatever it was I'm going to shingle it. Should last a lot longer. This video will come in handy.

[@BAXTERLIVI]

exposure ..oh my just understood thank you Tom

[@huynguyen-gt5um]

Very good sir.

[@roofingcompaniesct1930]

Great roofing video Tommy...Thanks you guys.

[@WyattFL5]

Tommy is amazing.

[@heroknaderi]

Very helped I appreciate it 😎

[@JoshMearsTube]

much needed thank you !

[@neilwilliams8608]

Do you have a video on woven valleys where one side of the roof runs east to west and the other side of the roof runs north to south? Awesome video. Thank you very much.

[@jeanettedawson7993]

Thanks for the great instruction. Now i want to go out and try it. What about going around vents and connected roofs.

[@MrLegit]

What type of venting are you doing? A roof vent, exhaust vent, intake vent? Also what type I can help you out.

[@harmfullifinhaled1]

Very well done gentlemen. Thank you.

[@goodfellasinc.5648]

Good video

[@michellesicble1440]

This is so helpful!!! Thankyou! We moved in a couple years ago and the shingles were not done right.... well a wind storm took them off last week and we’re set to put them up this week. Sick of leaking

[@chriskeith5742]

Roof is leaking and you going to fix, but have never done roofing? Please report back how it turned out....

[@michellesicble1440]

@@chriskeith5742 great! no more leaks

[@jtyw1]

Atta boy. Thats good stuff man

[@IamBayr]

This old house, show us how to build a new roof with current codes (like 6 nails per shingle, stainless nails in a salt water environment, and how to install and cut drip edge corners. What tar to use for the eaves, how wide, and how to do a simple eave corner!

[@IamBayr]

My new roof! this post isn't letting me show the roof. Sorry. It is pretty!

[@kralljazz]

Tommy is the man

[@VoteBlueNov.2024]

The ridge caps can be oriented in such a way as to lay with the direction of the prevailing wind when possible

[@campbellthaxton3182]

How does Tom swing a hammer so good lol

[@thecasualreviewer2148]

Perfecto sir!

[@booksrus6168]

Thank you! Only had to shingle a small addition and this really helped.

[@kcdiazWTV]

Nice.

[@JorgeRamos-ix1jm]

Would be nice to have Tommy as an uncle.

[@zachford2616]

😂 not a dad?

[@IamBayr]

Rather have Norm show me how to make a table out of scrap wood!

[@HsingSun]

Hi, can you show "Architectured Singles" installation?

[@Esparzeh]

thanks...

[@shiplegshipleg1349]

Good video - thanks. I am shingling a gabled garage roof, but one end goes into a second story wall of the house. I take it I start the row of shingles from the gabled edge and end the row with a custom cut of the shingles to fit under the siding at the house edge?Thanks

[@luisasipple9315]

Thanks. This is very helpful. Do I shingle the ridge after both sides of the roof are shingles?

[@katherinerhee6752]

Great instructions! Going to do my chicken coop. :)

[@chaycecole4466]

I always love these videos, but here's a tip we may all want to follow: **Do Not Cut Your Shingles To Length On Top Of Your Other Shingles**. You don't want to be cutting through the top layer and accidentally cutting into the shingles below it.

[@0xDEADCAFE]

Better safe than sorry, but in the video he's just scoring the shingles and then breaking them. With that method you're never cutting all the way through the shingles.

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Great video subscribed. In the near future I have to do a partial reroof. I just have an area about 6 x 8 sq feet at the from bottom of roof line. My question is ..how do you tie in to older but still Good shingles? Of course I would like to replace it all but that is not readable right now. Currently have a tarp over the damaged area. Also, I am a woodworker, i will be repairing the infrastructure if needed. Maybe you have a video on it. Also maybe there is a public service video on this.

[@seansmith5288]

I like your shows

[@dougm1985]

i did see a couple of the nails in the tar line. from what I've researched , just below the tar line is correct.

[@mikebyrnes615]

me too doug

[@luisasipple9315]

Do you have a video on how to apply the finish trim to a shed?

[@Version135]

Haha I don't think I've ever seen a roofer wear a harness. Thanks for the video I will be using this soon!!

[@waliky2002]

Got my Rabbit hutch shingled today. Very nice and easy instruction.

[@marcoantonioretamoza]

Los Amo !?! Los Veo todos los sábados aquí en Tijuana!!?

[@lkw5699]

I always trust this guy

[@GiantSlayer-rr1vu]

HELLO, i watched THis old house faithfully. I was wondering what roof sheathing are you using 5/8? You guys are awesome

[@juice12222]

The instructions weren't clear enough. I accidentally roofed my neighbors house, instead of mine.

[@snoozing68]

Hugo Perea if you followed their directions. ... you did it the wrong way anyways. Thank your neighbor for letting you practice on his house. LOL

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Hopefully they paid lol

[@cameronempey8350]

This comment made me laugh thank you

[@anewdayisontheway]

lol

[@dwho432]

Silly

[@IamBayr]

TOH is getting Dated! Wish I had a woodworking shop, and all, what a great past time. Working on mold remediation, rafter replacement, flat roof sealing, and dealing with deck codes on the Atlantic Ocean!

[@BAXTERLIVI]

how far or long do you spread the shingle across the gable end?

[@nobodyspecial6436]

I roofed for a period of time in my earlier years and still do it occasionally.... I’m mid 50s now and i can honestly say i have never seen anybody snap vertical lines all the way across the roof!! One line to start but after that there are little notches in 3 tabs to keep the layout straight!!!!

[@billeddy4357]

Nobody Special - You do lose some time at the start , but it might make it easier for a inexperienced DIYer . ( I was surprised that he put the drip cap on the ends of the house before the roofing felt . In the past I have seen videos where they put the bottom drip cap on BEFORE the felt but don`t put the end drip caps on until AFTER the felt . What was going on there ? )

[@zmurah]

@@billeddy4357 Whew -- I thought I was the only one who noticed the drip edge on the gable end BEFORE laying the felt paper. I had to watch it a couple times to be sure.

[@giogarcia4747]

@@zmurah would it be bc the felt would act as a jacket over it, so if and when water runs down, it runs over the felt all the way to the edge? Otherwise, as I understand it, the water would run on the felt and under the drip edge? I may be wrong, I'm not a roofer and it's my 1st time watching this video

[@Ravenclaw_boi]

sweet

[@heroshyma69]

Tom is absolutely amazing.

[@johnsmith-gt3po]

Everyone's a pro roofer here.

[@shannonwyatt1286]

Yeah I know right...there the experts that's why there on KZbin looking up how to shingle roofs.

[@cyberblock7619]

I'm a proofer

[@strangerintown3676]

@ The Bomb Child grow up, what a class act you are.

[@jtltet]

The drip edge or flashing on the rake or gable end should go over the felt paper. The drip edge at the fascia goes on under the felt paper. This video shows both going under the felt which is wrong. A driving rain from the side could get under the felt paper on the gable end side using that method but if the drip edge on the gable end is over the felt paper, any rain would be on top of the felt and run down the slope to the gutter.

[@jwikan]

Bingo! I was wondering if anyone else saw that mess up Jonathan. I am not a total expert but I can figure out how water travels and every book I have read about roofing, dating back to my first roofing DIY project in 1990s, the drip goes over the paper on the rake. Is that house leaking today? Nope. My current house, lets just say they messed it up. Water does blow in when there is a big storm.

[@100tuti001]

Jon Wikan so why are these "professionals" doing it like this

[@derpherpp]

+ChiKid 312 because they half ass it and hoping average people watch and never try it

[@jtltet]

Just because they are professionals doesn't mean they always do it right. It's probably the way they have always done it but again that doesn't make it right. Common sense should tell you that rain could get under the felt paper if the drip edge is not put over the felt paper.

[@sonoma314]

what do you do at the corner? the paper would be sandwiched between the drip edge.