How to Install Wood Shingles | This Old House

Tom Silva shows the apprentices how to properly install wood shingles.
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The roof has been insulated and now it’s time to nail in the shingles. General contractor Tom Silva shows the apprentices how to properly install wood shingles. Before they start, they staple a nylon matrix to the roof sheathing to prevent the shingles from rotting and cupping. Then Tom shows the apprentices how to layer and space the first course of shingles.
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How to Install Wood Shingles
/ thisoldhouse
This Old House, Ask This Old House, DIY, Home Improvement, DIY Ideas, Renovation, Renovation Ideas, How To Fix, How To Install, How To Build, Tom Silva, roofing, wood shingles, installation, GenerationNext, apprentices, Jamestown Net-Zero
Full episode:
Modern Barn Raising | The Jamestown Net-Zero House
www.thisoldhouse.com/watch/mo...

[@bkestler1]

I absolutely love this man. I’ve learned so much throughout the years from him.

[@lewiskelly14]

Probably one of the best and most detailed videos this channel has done in awhile

[@boatdetective]

I had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Silva. Talk about a genuine, supremely experienced guy. If I were an apprentice carpenter, I would shave my head and wear a robe just to work at his side. On top of it all, he is a complete gentleman.

[@joshuasmith1215]

should make an 8 hour episode showing every detail of the process

[@ElectricGears]

You can be sure of your nail placement by putting a mark on the nail gun's magazine the required distance from the nail exit point. Then, when it's lined up with the edge of the current shingle, you will be sure that the nail is far enough from the bottom edge to be covered by the next coarse.

[@bigvegass]

Nice

[@bencashman1017]

Good hack

[@mynonameyt]

I have a 8:12 roof with heavy shakes. It’s 25 years old and never leaked, but I used 18” 30lb paper on every row. It slayed down on 3/4 plywood with no breather material under the shake and it’s done great. I would highly recommend using the 30lb paper that is your key to a water tight roof.

[@Playingwith3D]

Wow, As a former roofer for many years, I gotta say that breather mesh underlay is ingenious.

[@gertraba4484]

they make it for sidewalls too

[@slickwilly6868]

What's the life span for a wood shingle roof with and without the mesh underlay?

[@copperworks]

Faster than skip sheathing

[@copperworks]

SlickWilly with skip sheathing 50 years if attic is vented well

[@tlangdon12]

It is a clever idea, but it will be sensitive to the amount of pressure that you use to nail the shingles down with. If you go to heavy, I would guess that you can crush the mesh to the point where it can't function as intended. You need to by a good quality mesh from a supplier who stands by their product. Cheap is not the answer here.

[@TroodoN0]

It would be ideal if we saw how finished roof looks like at the end. Other than that very informative episode

[@kelvintrejo1832]

I

[@jf8581]

Very helpful for getting started, thank you! My trapezoid shaped roof required some re-figuring, but this got the project in motion.

[@Spartacus4000]

I belive the original design calls for battens rather than plywood.. the battens allow for much more shingle surface area to dry out... its cheaper too

[@TheVinceZampella]

Oh my gosh I would love to see the previous part, really nice work!

[@fepeerreview3150]

Beautiful! That roof should last a lifetime.

[@Mike-Wisconsin]

That pretty awesome. Always wanted a wood shingle roof on my log home.

[@lynnelanguedoc4049]

Tom silva ,the best ! ,Tony from Canada 🇨🇦

[@blaketracy4377]

What a great teacher! Thank you

[@mikefragomeni8908]

Does that mesh underlayment need to be laid over the whole roof or just under the first row?

[@Poor.Mans.Sweden]

very useful video. thanks! I'm going to start putting up my shingles in 2-3 months

[@wesfos]

Tom is THE MAN

[@silviboyanov4943]

Great video really educational for the biggers

[@Briel_Shingle_Designs]

That is so neat and very educational! Thanks!

[@jacoblavoie8326]

Great tips!

[@elik492]

I love this old house! It inspires me to become a carpenter. Keep up the good work guys

[@tlangdon12]

I remember watching This Ole House in 1990 while visiting the USA. The episode I saw was how to replace damaged shingles on the side of a house. First time I ever saw a slate/shingle ripper being used. Now I have one and have used it to replace slates on my own roof. It's a great program and I'm pleased it is still going, and teaching the new generation how to do things properly.

[@IppiopaidFEEDBACK]

Cedar shingle roof are so luxurious looking.

[@HAXMAN]

If you use the mesh underlayment it looks like you don't have to use felt between layers. Is that correct? Thanks!

[@knessing7681]

Shouldn't you be laying down a new roll of that Matrix Nylon Mesh underneath each new roll of shingles? The shingles other than the base ones are still going to get wet underneath and rot and mold is going to build, if not properly aired out.

[@edgarbaring6319]

I put on wood shingles for 20 years, we used a hatchet with a gauge set on 5.5" then go end to end and pop a line every 8 coarsest to keep straight.

[@SirShoX0r]

It’s a very good look, I just hope the longevity of the roof is good.

[@thomasrogers7614]

@thisoldhouse what model # of siding nailer is that the N66C/N75C?

[@juliewhite1129]

How does the common every day joe that is doing just a small home grown project get some of that mesh. I am doing a tiny area and had to buy 15 pounds of felt. I would really like to get my hands on that stuff

[@paulbriggs3072]

A long board 5 inches wide and 8 or 10 feet long is set on the previously nailed shingle course with its lowest edge flush with the lowest edge of that previously nailed shingle course. Then two 18" long 1x2 strips are tacked to the board on either end and run up the roof and tacked in place with one double headed nail each. Then all the shingles are laid where they need to be along the upper edge of that 5" wide board. The 5 inches determines the shingle exposure (you can make it 4 inches, or 6 inches etc.) and when all the shingles are in place after you shuffled some to make sure their edges are well away from the joints beneath, you are now ready to go bang, bang, bang, all down the length of the 10 foot long row you just laid. ZOOM! No more nonsense of laying one shingle and then nailing that one shingle. Next, you pull the double headed nails holding the two strips of wood on the ends of the board to the roof, and move the ten foot long board further along the roof and tack it there to continue that row of shingles. And where did I first see this done? By some guy named Norm Abrams on some TV show called This Old House many years ago. I wonder if the guys in this video ever watched that?

[@colinsmith7576]

Some important tips there

[@j.kelley1685]

I love the staging I have like that would ever happen on a real job site

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

Nice vapor barrier you guys installed there! 😂

[@walterlane8890]

I was taught to install a 12" wide strip of felt paper between each course that covers the nails. Just cut the roll of felt with a sawsall.

[@ericstephens4307]

The extra felt stripping you're referring to is to go over the healap area only aka the top part of the shake. It's purpose is to retain water integrity/tightness of the shake since it's very thin at the top. The stripping is not to cover the nails and would deteriorate anything lower than the headlap.

[@markhall3323]

The Master

[@BoingoCat]

Me on the roof: "Hey Tommy, I didn't quite understand everything. Could you demonstrate one more row?" ... "Okay Tommy, I think I'm getting it now, but a little iffy on the spacing. Can you show me another row so I'm more confident with the process?" ... "So Tommy, can you show me more of that wonderful nail gun technique on another row? I'm pretty sure I'll have the hang of it then." ... "Yo Tommy, keep up the great work, I'll be back after lunch!"

[@markdavis2316]

I'm pretty sure I work with you!

[@glennpaulellis1172]

I love hard work. I can watch other people doing it all day.

[@kevinclayton1974]

I wonder how they do the ridge with a cedar shingle. Great episode.

[@walterlane8890]

Alternate the overlap as you go down. Same way you would weave a corner wall.

[@thomaswalsh287]

Generally, the ridge shingles are run laterally, ( sideways) with the exposure facing away from the prevailing wind. Snap equidistant lines down from the ridge. On your tablesaw, you can prep some slightly oversized shingles. The first shingle is nailed to the line, then trimmed flush to the opposing angle of the ridge. The adjacent shingle on the opposing side is set to the line, then planed flush to it's brother. The lap on each pair is alternated to ensure strength and resistance to weather. I have seen copper ridges......also all wood ridges pre-fabbed and epoxied together. You do not continue normal shingling.... a teensy course with exposed nails at the ridge is a hack recipe for disaster.

[@ericstephens4307]

I use a continous ridge vent system consisting of Cor-A-Vent v-600 with a custom fabricated copper trac rack over it. Saddled ridge shakes are then cut in a table saw and glued in place in the rack. We do it the same way with slate. Just nailing a ridge shake up there is 8 trac tape player technology and there are better ways to do things today. This also addresses proper attic ventilation per code as required in most municipalities.

[@BenedictHudson]

where do you find that nylon matrix breathing material?

[@HowtoHacks]

Wood shingles look good for a few years but replacement is a pain. Just do standing seam or another metal product that resembles a shake and call it a day.

[@ahoorakia]

when I was doing it in Canada/Vancouver,we laid felt paper between each layer of the wood and starting row got two layer of felt paper and two layer of wood shake.with 25 years warranty! that was 1988,and most of those still having the same roof

[@Sudcalifornio]

that would be wood shakes, this is wood shingle

[@agentredbone1667]

Iv been roofing for 20 yrs! Good video!

[@bencashman1017]

This Old House: In eastern Massachusetts, how does the cost of a red cedar roof compare to the cost of architectural asphalt (overall cost of both materials and installation)?

[@edwinpink5040]

The one thing they don't mention about having a wood shingle roof is that your home owners insurance will go up quite a bit due to the burn rate of wood shingles if a fire was to occur. They are also very expensive.

[@ericstephens4307]

Not in the midwest. Regions that are prone to wildfires such as California one would foolish to use such a flammable product on their. Hence why wood is not really used in Florida for flooding/water issues with rotting.

[@Corinthians-kjv]

Do roofing in phx az and in summer then tell me how much you like to roof!!!!

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I did it once...ONCE! 😭

[@leighrawnsley2266]

Hi, what's the name of the self sealing membrane and also the matrix as i havent seen these readily available in the UK but with brand names i can then look for them. i have flagstone slates on my house roof which needs all stripping and re-roofing so a self sealing breathable membrane would be good as it takes a bigger nail to hold a 3ft piece of flagstone and i want to wood shingle or wood shake my barns & outbuildings which are 150 - 250 years old and in desperate need of renovating - thanks

[@ericstephens4307]

They're using Grace Brand ice and water shield. Grace invented the self sealing ice guard commonly used and manufactured today. It is the best by far but also 3 times the price of your typical ice guard. It is also the tastiest/stickiest and can be difficult to work with.....it's very unforgiving when trying to install it, you've been warned lol.

[@csp1977]

I did my garage many years ago. Same as what was done here. I only used the Ice and Water shield around the perimeter then tar paper away from the edges. Also there is the debate whether it’s better to hand nail rather than those skimpy automatic nail heads. Some nail guns you are limited to the type of nails you can use. Hot dipped or stainless?

[@edwinpink5040]

Hot dipped galvanize react to cedar.

[@ericstephens4307]

"Skimpy/skinny" nails are required for cedar shakes along with them being stainless steel. I use staples to avoid splitting and countersinking but your stainless steel must be #304 minimum and #310 grade if you're within 15 miles of any saltwater.

[@vandergriff65]

Please show how to do clay shingles, I love my shingles but always worried about repairs and replacement

[@R7Romeo]

Na I'd rather just charge you $1,000,000 instead. 😂

[@user-jo1pf7zc5e]

Всё понятно перекрытие четырёхкратное.Молодцы

[@ronandoherty8346]

Great video as always. One question,, don't you have to guage the roof to ensure you get an even guage on all your courses, I do a lot of slate roofs so I'm guessing wood shingle would be the same principle.

[@iancook9131]

Good point, I'm bricklayer...you always need to Guage.

[@johnsymons8246]

Did a lot as an apprentice summer 1976 pinged a chalkline ridge took ages

[@poeticthoughts06]

hell of a slice on that index finger, Tommy

[@rastapastrychief]

saw that too, ouch! He's a machine though.

[@gertraba4484]

I had shingles but the doc cured me with meds

[@rbnhd1976]

All these negative comments about shake roofing, when it's been used since time immemorial. It's relatively inexpensive, it weather's into a beautiful grey, it is a bit of a fire hazard in some areas but let's see how your metal roof lasts a mile from the coast. A good shake roof can last a hundred years with care. Wait till you guys see what the Japanese use!

[@mendonesiac]

I live in redwood country, and there's no way a wooden roof a mile from the coast is lasting 100 years. I tore off two this summer, both 40 years old and leaking. Every roof will eventually leak, but it can be really challenging to locate on a wood shingle roof; that's why they've become obsolete. I also don't like metal roofs, but that's a different conversation. Edit: even if the wood could theoretically last 100 years, the nails and underlayment won't, especially on the coast.

[@manuelenavarro9595]

Why there is not installation of felt every row?

[@simplecentrist5935]

I would like to see how you work around a vent. Good video though!

[@bobcalder724]

I did not see how the roof sheathing for the shingles was attached to the roof through the 5" of insulation. I am curious to see a detail here. Perhaps it was shown in a previous episode ?

[@cup_and_cone]

Same question on the inverted roof. I can only assume they used adhesive since it was a semi-rigid rock wool.

[@augustreil]

Nailed along the edges and screwed in the field using long screws.

[@mitchdenner9743]

It was boxed out.

[@augustreil]

@@mitchdenner9743, Only along the edges. In the field, it's just screwed with long screws.

[@mitchdenner9743]

@@augustreil obviously

[@trueview7680]

Why not counter batten then batten the roof ??

[@R7Romeo]

Ya I just got through bustin out 45 squares on an 8/12, 3 layers of shingles, in the Texas sun, and let me tell you what that was the last layer. Anyways the house was super old and the shigles came out of British Columbia, made a pit stop in Iowa, before making It to Texas. P.S. those cedar shingles were on lathing as well, I noticed this ones decked completely.

[@geraldweed5409]

Well it's either cedar breath or asphalt paper that's 12 to 18 inches in width per row of shingles.

[@davesilvia9711]

perlin strips under the ceader work too.

[@MrBigtime1986]

"Alright guys I'm going to leave you to it" He comes back and everything they did has to be torn off and done again.

[@mattmax11]

That's what i was thinking. LOL

[@sziltner]

Skipped this one living in California!

[@augustreil]

@@Stackali, Must be a fire hazard or the Liberal Tree huggers said No !!

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Waiting to read comments about how Tommy is doing this all wrong.

[@steveoo410]

Give it time. Everyone seems to think they know the best way to do this stuff. What they don't understand is what works for them may not work for someone else.... Plus building codes won't be the same from state to state.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

oldtwins na Tommy doesn’t get those nearly as often as the other guys. He rarely makes mistakes is a generally trusted.

[@quint7394]

drip edge corner lap is backwards, i think :) (and so it begins) :)~

[@jackriley5974]

Read my comment! I've been doing it longer than Tommy!!

[@jackpast]

oldtwins na that string doesn’t look like it touching the ends of the shakes near the end.

[@mendonesiac]

Man, it's hard to believe anyone still wants a product that costs twice as much just to have the joy of constantly repairing their roof. I understand that some folks are in love with the aesthetic, but wood has to be one of the least effective roofs there is, and unless you've got an 8/12 or steeper, most people don't notice the roof much anyway.

[@heavykiin9337]

Wish they would show how it looked finished

[@JohnnyUmphress]

Very informative, but, people that can afford a copper drip edge and wood shingles would not be installing them themselves.

[@bigvegass]

Or they save on labor and do it themselves. It's what I'm doing on projects. Great materials and self labor.

[@stenbak88]

There is so much to this roof there’s like 8 layers

[@bocomoto]

Nice approach with the Breather and all BUT in Laying out shingles it is CRUCIAL (especially on roofs) that the course you are laying should Offset widths by 1” or more not only 1,. But 2 courses below it. (If that shingle splits inline with the gap of the shingle below you goy a leak potential.

[@Amarillobymorning777]

How much x sq F. ???

[@perezagustin5329]

Megusta

[@Digiphex]

I think our code requires interlayment which is not used here.

[@JoseHernandez-tc1kl]

Wow I did know that they had wood roofing. How long would that last?

[@2pugman]

Our home had wood roof shingles on it for at least 50 years before the next owner covered over them with regular shingles. We did a total tear-off in 2000.

[@ohnij3d221]

suppose to use shingles for starter, and the shakes go over top.

[@howardmurphy2841]

Nevermind breathablity if cedar touches grace a chemical reaction occurs making "grace cycles"

[@VideosbySteve]

It may look good but thats a TON of work to install, not to mention possible mositure problems and also when its time to get a new roof having to tear all of that out.

[@TheRevolucas]

Ton of work to maintain, too, especially in a wooded area. I used to have to clean and seal a cedar shake roof every other year for some doctor. It's dangerous work.

[@mroldpueblo7879]

They never say the cost. That membrane stuff ain't cheap.

[@augustreil]

@@mroldpueblo7879, You're right, it's not cheap, but for what it does, it's a great product.

[@RadRidesByCru]

Retro Steve.... any roof would have to be torn out to replace it, which is a bear no matter the material. But that's the beauty of a wood roof, if it's maintained, it doesn't ever have to be torn out.

[@Hamiltonoracle]

Quick question. Shouldn't the breather material go underneath each row of shingles? that way every shingle can dry?

[@corb765]

no

[@geraldweed5409]

That should've been the first if not second direction.

[@chrisstanton9495]

No breather, what's the since of using a nail gun if you have to still use your hammer?

[@ehoh3246]

This looks like it would cost twice as much other material choices

[@tylerwest3820]

Eh oh usually around 4x the cost of a standard asphalt shingle.

[@blakechagnon8837]

Yessir it does, it’s for the richer folk

[@davesilvia9711]

100$ a bundle to buy it, then labor.

[@KB4QAA]

And can last decades longer than asphalt shingles.

[@geraldweed5409]

How come u didn't at first explain which way to lay the shingle with the direction of the grain.

[@nannettebattista3047]

Splendidly to see Woodglut have new plans which helped me save some money and energy for this construction.

[@jackriley5974]

First course has to follow the eave! Second course should be lined!

[@jeepsuc99]

So you want the first course to be bent like the eve? Looks better if you straighten it out

[@geraldweed5409]

But the direction of the grain and which way the shingles cup should've been explained first a foremost which way u lay the grain towards the roof that matter most. Or siding which ever application but he did not explain that u have to look at the grain of each shingle to lay that inwards and to explain why to do so. So as to lay the grain inwards so it won't cut out but cup inwards and also didn't lay a wider shingle and explain how to nail a wider shingle as to apposed a skinnier and how to nail fa wider one. Inch stage on the seam minimum nail an eighth inch in on skinnier shingles but nailing on a wider shingle should've been explained as well as which way to lay the grain as to account for the natural cupping of the wood.

[@travissmith3720]

Not a fan of that mesh sruff. You have to nail down the wood. If you are alowing any kind of gap between the plywood and shingles the whole roof will squeak

[@hariatmakhalsa1648]

This is a a vanilla video. I need to know how to do valleys

[@jej3451]

Wouldn't it be better to saturate the shingles in water before you start, then not have to worry about the gaps?

[@ttfweb1]

jej3451 no

[@augustreil]

When we do a Cedar shingle roof, we set up pans and soak them in preservative for 24hrs prior to installation.

[@tylercampbell4507]

The only down side I could see to doing that would be that when they dried out the nails would no longer be tightly gripping the wood allowing for loose shingles and/or water leaks

[@KBOSGroundAgent]

Fall harnesses ate only for the talent.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Some say, they're still lining up the first row...The worst way to roof is moving back and forth...And what Tommy did there is the easiest part of doing Ceder...Weave an outside corner, or run an eyebrow or show the final cut to cover the flashing or the step flashing along that side...

[@mike93lx]

I know, absolutely unacceptable that they would give people good instruction to get started on roofing for free. How dare they.

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@mike93lx I know your being facetious but. Incomplete information is poor information...

[@mike93lx]

@@godbluffvdgg yes, I would have much rather had this be an hour long video on how to install shingles than some basics to help people get started. They owe us so much more

[@godbluffvdgg]

@@mike93lx You know you're absolutely RIGHT! Tommy should be personally instructing ANYONE that decided to install Cedar, or any other type roof. This includes visits to the job site, Maybe throw up some roof Jacks and junk...And, Would it kill him to maybe run out some valleys and dormers for them? I'm boycotting TOH until I am satisfied! Thanks for pointing out the obvious neglect on their part!

[@Adam-lu3fb]

Why don't you soak the shingles a bit before install so you don't have to screw around with spacing them apart

[@robertstetson4077]

That's going to be a lot of work replacing the roof when it goes bad

[@Sir_Pumpington_Of_Dumpenshire]

If they're sitting on "a bed of air", haven't you now re-introduced a higher probability of the shingles being lifted off by harsh winds?

[@jpgarcia90]

this guy loves nodding

[@rrps6546]

pewpew *nods to agree with you*

[@jackriley5974]

Please explain how the word matrix is a valid term for your "breathing material" and why , if it's stated purpose is to allow moisture to escape, it's not used between courses. Is there no moisture there??

[@Nill757]

Got to address fire hazard with wood shingles, roof or siding. They'll burn almost explosively untreated.

[@jeepsuc99]

They come with a fire retardant already on the shingles if they are for the roof

[@santiagodominguez2522]

Be the smart one when you stand up on your feet all day in a 7-12 pitch roof it will kill you feet always set down or find a comfortable position

[@YouTubeDeletesComments]

Hey I know, let's put Flammable Material over our entire Roof. Amazing idea, right? After one Summer, that's gonna be a Matchbox

[@YouTubeDeletesComments]

@Terrance Armentrout Is there ever a risk of Forest Fires there? Heck, even when a neighboring House is on Fire, it's not good. I guess it's just too much Common Sense for you

[@augustreil]

@Terrance Armentrout, Right ? Wood roofs have been around for 1000's of yrs. Hope he never sees anything like this, he'll have a heart attack !! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYLcYYpmi8uZnbs

[@tylercorbin8073]

Just a couple more nails

[@kevinroberts8320]

You are installing the shakes wrong.

[@Order-in-Chaos]

When installing a wood roof and paying the upcharge compared to an asphalt roof, it would be tremendously silly to use wood shingles (AS IN THIS INSTALL) to save on the extra cost of the wood shakes. The roof would look 10 times better for an extra 30% in the total cost by using shakes rather than shingles. I think for the 50+ years age of the wood roof it's best to pay the extra cost of the shakes and live with an amazing looking roof rather than save on the shingles and have to live with a mediocre looking wood roof.

[@t00018645]

Wear gloves with that cedar breather, it will wreck your hands

[@Kevin-tr5zh]

Over time the cedar will eat holes in that copper. Lead coating copper ONLY.

[@daleleibfried8648]

Kevin 130 no

[@kellerrobert80]

Just so you know, many people count the number of comments that tell Tommy what he did wrong.

[@robertunversaw]

The tannin in Cedar alone will not eat holes in copper within the 50 yr lifespan of this roof. In a more corrosive environment such as the east coast you might me right but not solely because of the reaction between the cedar and the copper.

[@christopherjameswall5182]

Huh? It's not treated

[@steadfastsn1p3r]

@@christopherjameswall5182 no it's red cedar

[@markbrown2296]

Third!