QA

How To Cap A Roof

What does capping a roof mean?

Capping a roof is the last thing done during a roofing project. It must be completed at the very end of the shingle run to overlap the uppermost shingles and form a weatherproof seal. Ideally, the weather must be warm so that the shingle caps can be bent to spread over the exposed peak without breaking.

How do you install ridge cap shingles?

What is a roof hip cap?

Ridge Caps are metal objects that cap the ridge of a roof. They are also referred to as ridge rolls or ridge flashings. Ridge Caps are available in standard style options: 3″, 4″, 5″.

Do you need a ridge cap?

Good Roofing Ridge Caps Are Critical Since so much water flows through the roof valleys, they must be protected by extensive roof flashing networks to keep your roof dry and leak-free. With the peaks, a special covering called a ridge cap must be used.

Which way does a ridge cap go?

Generally on a north/south orientation, the south end of the ridge would be the place to start. On an east/west orientation, the east end will be the starting point. This is the point on the roof that you will attach the first ridge cap.

What is a roof cap called?

A ridge cap is a building material that is installed along the ridge line of a sloped roof. A traditional gabled roof on a home is made up of two sloped sides that meet in the middle. The point where these two sides meet forms the apex of the roof, and is known as the ridge or ridge line.

Can you use regular shingles for ridge cap?

Overall, architectural shingles would work well as ridge caps since they are extremely resistant to almost every element of weather and can blend well with the other shingles of your roof.

Are ridge cap shingles different?

Ridge cap shingles are like regular shingles in that they use the same material and offer the same look in terms of color; but they are different in that they are specially designed to cover the ridges of the roof, which are high-stress areas that need more protection, unlike with metal roofing.

Can you use 3 tab shingles for ridge cap?

The ridge cap, the course of shingles on the very ridge of the roof, can be made from available 3-tab shingles. Two simple cuts create three pieces that can be used to finish the shingle project.

How many shingles do I need for a ridge cap?

You can cap about 35 lin. ft. of ridge or hips with each bundle of three-tab shingles that come three bundles to the square. You can also salvage waste shingle pieces and portions of damaged shingles for use as caps.

What are ridge cap shingles?

Ridge cap shingles are specifically designed to fit the ridges of roofs. That’s why they are typically pre-bent and thicker than regular roof shingles, which tend to crack when folded over the ridge. The form of the ridge cap shingles also makes them more efficient in shedding water and debris.

Is Hip and ridge the same as ridge cap?

Almost every sloped roof has a ridge at the top where two adjoining slopes meet and many roof designs include sloped ridges (known as hips) where the roof planes meet at an angle. Ridge cap is simply defined as a cover over the hip and ridge of the roof, where two adjoining slopes come together.

What is a roof hip and ridge?

A roof “hip” refers to the outwards diagonal joint created by the junction of two roof slopes. A roof “ridge” refers to the upper most peaks created by the junction of two roof slopes facing opposite directions.

Do you need a drip edge with metal roofing?

A drip edge is not needed for metal roofing. If you make sure to overhang your metal roofing at least an inch, the drip edge is not necessary at the eaves and rakes. If the metal roof is hanging over an inch, the water will be directed away from the fascia anyway if at a slant.

What happens if a roof is not vented?

Unventilated or poorly ventilated attics don’t have an escape route for the heat that builds up. This buildup of heat can damage your shingles from the inside out. An evenly vented roof will allow the hot air to escape keeping your roof and attic cooler.

How long are ridge cap shingles?

Ridge cap – or roof peak – shingles for standard asphalt shingles, whether standard 3-tab or architectural, are usually around 12×12 inches in size. Often the top of the shingle, which is the part that is not visible, is tapered so that it is completely covered by the previous roof peak shingle.

What is used to make ridge caps?

It is the last part of the roof covering to be completed and ‘caps’ a gable or hip roof. Most shingle roofs have a ridge cap made of overlapping shingle tabs cut from roofing shingles. They wrap the ridge and cover nail heads holding the top course or row of shingles on both sides of the ridge.