In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to reshingle a roof.

Project details

Skill

Cost

Estimated Time

Steps for reshingling a roof

  • Pry off old roof shingles with pitch fork.
  • Nail down loose roof sheathing to rafters.
  • Cover roof deck with 30-pound felt underlayment; staple felt every 6 to 8 inches.
  • Nail drip-edge flashing to lower edge of roof.
  • Snap vertical chalk line down center of roof.
  • Trim tabs off roof shingles to create starter course.
  • Center starter course on the roof’s centerline; allow the shingles to overhang drip-edge by ¼ inch, then nail them in place.
  • Snap horizontal chalk line across roof so first course overhangs starter course by ¼ inch.
  • Set top edge of first-course shingles on the chalk line and nail them down.
  • Snap horizontal layout lines every 5 inches all the way up the roof.
  • Snap vertical layout lines every 6 inches across the roof.
  • Continue laying roof shingles, aligning the top edges with the horizontal chalk lines, and the ends with the vertical chalk lines to create the proper 6-inch offset.
  • Secure each shingle with four nails.
  • Trim the shingles at the ridge and ends of roof.
  • Cut 12x12-inch ridge-cap shingles from standard roof shingles.
  • Center each ridge-cap shingle over the ridge and attach with two nails.

Tools

Tools & Materials

  • Pitchfork
  • Tape measure
  • Utility knife
  • Chalk line
  • Hammer stapler
  • Pneumatic nailer
  • Hammer