QA

Question: How To Install Architectural Shingles

How much should architectural shingles overlap?

Allow the roof shingles to overhang on the roof for about 1/8 inches. The chalk line is your guide to where you will position the shingles on your roof.

Do you need a starter course with architectural shingles?

Do You Need a Starter Course with Architectural Shingles? You do need to use a starter course with architectural shingles. The starter edge will help seal the edges and cover your shingle joints.

What length should architectural shingles be cut?

Cut 12 inches (30.4 centimeters) off the length of the first shingle that you lay. Then lay down whole tiles to the end of the row, trimming the last shingle so that it fits correctly.

How good are malarkey shingles?

Malarkey manufactures top-quality shingles that are better than GAF and Owens Corning. The company focuses on quality, not quantity, so they are not as well-known as CertainTeed and GAF. Malarkey shingles enjoy good ratings from homeowners, contractors, and home inspectors.

Are you supposed to remove the plastic strip on the back of shingles?

The GAF shingle application instructions for our entire product line specifically state that that film does not need to be removed. Note: The film strips on the back of each shingle are to prevent sticking together of the shingles while in the bundle. Their removal is NOT required during application.

How far should shingles overhang drip edge?

Asphalt shingles should overhang the exterior edge of the drip edge by ¼ to ¾-inch. Check local building code for drip edge requirements prior to the start of your roofing project.

How many nails do you put in an architectural shingle?

In most cases, 4 nails are adequate. Position the nails appropriately according to the shingle installation instructions. Align shingles properly to avoid nail exposure.

Can I Staple shingles?

Fasteners for asphalt shingles should be roofing nails or staples. Both nails and staples have sufficient strength to resist small uplift load on the shingles, as long as the tabs remain sealed. If staples are properly installed, they offer nearly the same wind resistance as nails.

Can I use screws for roof shingles?

You cannot use screws for roofing shingles, only roofing nails are approved fasteners. Screws leave small gaps in the material they are driven into, and this may be enough to allow for a leak.

Do you need ridge cap shingles?

A ridge cap is used to cover and close the seam where two roof slopes meet to form a ridge or roof apex. Roofs that do not have two or more decks meeting to form a ridge or hip do not require a ridge cap. Most shingle roofs have a ridge cap made of overlapping shingle tabs cut from roofing shingles.

Can you make ridge caps out of architectural shingles?

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. Ridge caps are one of the most important parts of the roof since it is one of the first parts of the roof that people will see.

What shingles do you use for ridge cap?

Three-tab shingles are easy to cut into strips to create a ridge cap, but now roofers and homeowners largely prefer laminated shingles. Rob Davidson, Vice-President of Residential Sales for IKO Canada, explains why: “When I started with IKO over 20 years ago, three-tab shingles were the most common shingle installed.

Do you overlap shingles side to side?

When you reach a peak or hip, shingle all the way up the first side (until the reveal portion of the shingles is within 4 inches of the peak) and cut the 3-tab shingles just below the ridge. Shingle the other side and allow these pieces to overlap the ridge by no more than 4 inches.

What is the reveal on architectural shingles?

A shingle’s exposure is the portion of the shingle left uncovered by the one above it. Though some roofing contractors assume all asphalt shingles and architectural shingles have the same exposure, they actually vary widely. In the past, a 5-inch exposure was most common, but things have changed.

How many inches do you stagger shingles?

As reported in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction: For ease of installation some roofers install shingles straight up the roof, staggering shingles 6 inches or 18 inches back and forth (Figure 2-9).

Are architectural shingles easier to install?

Since an architectural shingle roof is easier to install, is more durable and comes with a better warranty, its lifespan cost is, in many instances, actually less than that of a more basic 3-tab roof.

What’s the difference between 3-tab and architectural shingles?

3-tab shingles are flat, and they have a single tab shape and size. Architectural shingles are also referred to as dimensional shingles. This is because they provide a more dimensional look to the roof. Each shingle appears more dimensional because it is; multiple layers of materials adhere to the base.

How long do Malarkey shingles last?

Roofers as well as building inspectors report that many Malarkey roofs they have seen last well over 30 years and look very good. This is an incredibly long service life compared to other asphalt roofs.

Which is better CertainTeed or malarkey?

Both companies are very well-established premium brands that are near the top of the industry in consumer satisfaction and shingle durability ratings. CertainTeed gives you a wider range of quality options, but Malarkey offers enough selection to make their products worth your consideration.