Installing timberline roofing shingles

Our article series has so far covered all of the important preparation work necessary, such as setting up the drip edge , plywood sheathe, and starter strip of shingles. All of the preparation has lead up to this — finishing off your roof with that unique, authentic asphalt roof shingle look.

Only asphalt roof shingles will give that distinct chequered look so related to American homes. Like any roof installation, you need to combine the best products with the best workmanship. Before nailing any shingles in place, you should first start by measuring and snapping a stringline. Your first row of shingles need to be flush with the drip edge and go over your starter strip shingles.

Be sure to offset the joins in your first row of shingles by mm from the joins in your starter strip. Shingles should be installed in an overlapping stair-like pattern. Stagger each join by at least mm to create a proper waterproof seal. Every shingle should have at least 5 nails driven into it. GAF roofing shingles are proudly displayed on more than 50 million homes in America — which is more homes than we have in Australia.

The GAF range includes everything you need, including starter strips with market-leading adhesive for unparalleled security. To obtain this special classification, roofing shingles must undergo very rigorous testing.

This test is carried out by the Underwriters Laboratory. The UL came up with the UL classification alongside the Institute of Business and Home Safety that works in conjunction with roof shingles class ratings. During the procedure, steel balls of different sizes are released onto shingles at 90 mph from heights ranging from 12 to 20 feet. The balls are dropped twice onto the same area. If the shingles under-perform, i. Class 1 is reserved for the least resistant shingles.

This table summarizes the different classes of shingles based on the performance on the impact resistance test. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can be made using different roofing materials, such as asphalt, metal , or rubber. Here we will focus primarily of impact resistant asphalt shingles. Most homeowners prefer architectural shingles because of superior looks, when compared to strip shingles. However, people wonder if looks alone can justify the much higher cost of architectural shingles?

Compared to 3 tab shingles, architectural ones offer increased durability and longevity. They are twice as thick, which means that they are less susceptible to curbing and wind uplift. Laminated shingles also last significantly longer, which is why they earn the name Lifetime shingles.

If you are looking to install a a new, decent looking roof without breaking your back, Royal Sovereign shingles are a great choice. This style of shingle is known as strip or 3-tab. They are categorized by a flat look, as well as cut-outs or tabs along the long edge. As a result, it looks like there are three pieces, when in fact its just one shingle. While many people consider these regular shingles to be unattractive, GAF has gone to great lengths to design Royal Sovereign, so that it actually boosts your homes curb appeal.

You will find that 3 tab shingles are the most common type of shingles that people install. Because they are growing in popularity, they can be easily found and also come with warranties that go all the way up to 50 years. Before you go out and purchase your 3 tab shingles, you will first need to figure out how many of them you will need.

One square is equal to square feet of roof. You will simply need to add up the total square footage of your roof and divide it by To begin, you will need to cut the tabs off of enough shingles so that you will be able to have an entire row of shingles that have no tabs across your roof. You will then need to get your measuring tape out and measure the roof. A chalk line will need to be popped going down the middle of the roof from the bottom to the top.

Roofing best practices are to avoid installation in extreme temperatures. However, there may be occasions in which it cannot be avoided. In those cases, installers need to take additional precautions. For homes that frequently experience high winds and rough weather, an exceptional wind warranty is crucial. March 27, by Thiago Batista. Roofing in cold weather doesnt seem to be such a good idea, at least for some homeowners. Even with the immediate need to repair or replace the roof, many still ask their roofers if it can wait until the spring or summer.

After all, it makes more sense to get this project started when the weather is generally pleasant. As it turns out, asphalt shingles can still be installed successfully in cold weather as long as roofers follow safety measures and apply changes to the usual roofing practices.

As such, we make sure to adhere to the manufacturers specifications when it comes to roof installations and repairs.

Below are some of the various precautions we take when we repair or replace GAF roofing systems in cold weather. Generally, installing Class 4 shingles is a wise investment if you live in a region that is frequented by severe weather and major roof damage is common.

In the US, a large number of residents lose their roofs due to hail and wind damage each year, but certain areas are more prone to hailstorms than others. Therefore, the higher the risk in your area, the more advisable it is to install Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. This is because the installation of such shingles lowers your maintenance costs, and may help you avoid an untimely roof replacement. On top of that, many insurance companies provide discounts to households with Class 4 shingles, making up for the higher cost of their installation.

To help you understand how hail-prone some areas of the US are, heres the list of the states with the most hailstorms in If you live in one of these areas or in a location with other extreme weather conditions, installing Class 4 impact-resistant shingles is your best course of action.

Its possible to install a relatively cheap metal roof that will cost either the same or be slightly more expensive that a good quality impact resistant asphalt roof. Once you have added your drip edge, its time to add roofing paper. Use the same type of nails you used before to nail in pound asphalt roofing felt paper.