The building industry is constantly changing. Not only trends, but also materials are constantly being updated to meet consumer demand. This means that installers need to stay on top of the latest in material as well. While for a long time asphalt shingles were the norm and the go-to for many builders and homeowners, times have changed and architectural shingles with a laminated surface, embedded granule, and better performance are beginning to gain traction in the field. Learn the dos and don’ts of installing these shingles to ensure you get the best possible installation each and every time.
Preparation
Architectural shingles differ from asphalt shingles in several ways. So make sure you prepare for installation accordingly.
Do
Get to know the shingles you are installing. Find out their weight – architectural shingles are typically heavier than asphalt – as well as how much of an overlap is required.
Do
Pay attention to the fact that architectural shingles differ widely in both size and color from one another, unlike asphalt shingles which are more uniform. This will affect their installation, so be careful to take note of how much variation the particular type of shingle you are installing has.
Don’t
Assume that they will go on at the same speed at first; prepare for a learning curve your first installation.
Do
Tear off old shingles from the roof you’re reroofing. Between the weight of the new shingles and any potential problems hidden beneath the old shingles, it’s best to start fresh.
Don’t
Try to layer architectural shingles over older roofing methods. Architectural shingles should be the only layer on the roof.
Installation
Installation of architectural shingles isn’t difficult. Just make sure that you pay close attention to the first few rows to ensure you’re setting it up for success.
Do
Install some type of roof deck protection or leak barrier, particularly in valleys and other leak prone areas.
Do
Make sure that you extend the first row of shingles over the edge of the roof by about ½-inch, but no less than 1/8-inch to help protect the eaves. Likewise, do make sure that this extension also occurs on the edges or sides of the roof as well.
Do
Use a starter strip for your first row of shingles. This thicker row will help ensure that you get the best possible protection against leaks and help get the installation off to a good start.
Do
Create a two-layer thick edge of shingles by installing your second set of shingles right on top of the first if a starter strip is not available.
Don’t
Simply install a single row of shingles on the edge of the roof.
Don’t
Line up the shingles in subsequent rows with the row below; you want to get a staggered or irregular pattern going to get the best look for the shingles.
Do
Overlap your second row onto the first, double, row by about ½-inch. Continue this overlap throughout the installation.
Do
Cut about 6-inches off the first shingles in each new row or use a smaller shingle every two to three rows – this will help ensure that you get the staggered appearance that works so well with architectural shingles.
Do
Mix shingles from several boxes at a time as you work. By mixing this way you can ensure a better variation in size and color across the entire roof, rather than getting potentially patchy areas that have more of one color or size shingle.
Don’t
Hesitate to work out a staggered system for the shingles, such as ¼, 1/2, ¾, full shingle as you work your way across the roof.
Do
Take the time to do a dry layout of the shingles either on the roof or on the ground before you install too many. A dry layout lets you see how much variation is in the shingles, and lets you play with overlap and mixing of the various sizes of shingles before you begin to nail them down. This lets you work out some of the learning curve ahead of time, prior to the actual installation.
Don’t
Underdrive or angle the nails you use to install the shingles. Improperly driven nails are the biggest cause of architectural roofing shingle failures, including blow offs and leaks. If necessary, practice on the thicker shingles ahead of time to get used to the difference in these versus the thinner asphalt shingles and the amount of force required.
Make the Most of Your Roof
Many builders are beginning to find that architectural shingles are actually easier to install, as well as more attractive and longer lasting than asphalt shingles. For this reason, architectural shingles are becoming the go-to material for builders and homeowners alike. Make sure you install them properly to get the best results and get a better, longer lasting roof for your homes.
