Installing a new roof is a great way to improve the value and appearance of your home. Asphalt shingles are one of the great options to make your home look beautiful as they are available in a variety of colors and styles. Although they are less durable when compared to metal roofing; they are also far more economical. This makes it a great investment to consider before selling out a home. If you can shingle out the roof yourself, this will save you even more thus giving more return on investment. For those homeowners who do not know how to shingle a roof this guide will give them a basic knowledge of the same.When learning to shingle a roof the first thing to be taken care of is that the weather remains dry for quite few days. It is not possible to replace a roof in snow or rain as it is bound to create a mess in your house apart from being very dangerous.
When you feel that the weather is going to remain dry for few days you can go ahead and purchase the shingles. For determining how many squares will be needed and looking for the best prices it is advisable to visit a local home improvement store or search online on the web. After purchasing the new shingles the nest step is of removing the old ones. If there are two or less than two layers of Singles on your roof then it is not necessary to remove the existing shingles. If required a ladder may be used to climb on the roof and remove the existing shingles from the roof.
How to Shingle a roofAfter removing the old shingles get ready for the nest step of installing the new shingles on your roof. Climb up on the ladder to reach the roof and place the new shingles on the roof after unrolling them. Roofing nails should be used to fasten the new shingles to the roof.
After attaching the new shingles with the help of roofing nails, the final step of how to shingle a roof is that of cleanup. The jobsite needs to be cleared of the old shingles and the old roofing nails. The best way to do so is to get the help of a large truck or a trailer to haul these things from the job site.
As now you are fully aware of the process of how to shingle a roof, you can make your home look beautiful by changing and installing Asphalt Shingles on your roof.
Roofing Materials - Choosing Shingles as Your Roofing Material
Although shingles are the most popular roofing material in the United States, it doesn't mean they are all the same. Today's manufacturers have developed a wide palette of shingles to meet all construction and color requirements.
Prior to investing in shingles as your roofing material, it's important to gather key information such as:
Building codes. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner's association, be sure to check with them on approved roofing materials. In addition, some communities restrict the number of shingle layers they allow on a home before requiring a complete tear-off for a new roof.
Roof slope. Have a roofing professional evaluate the pitch of your roof to get a sense for which roofing materials would work best. A steep pitch will reduce your choices of roofing materials.
Climate. If you live in a damp, humid region, algae can accumulate on the surface of your roof. Look for shingles treated with copper or zinc particles to increase algae resistance.
Following are the main choices of shingles and other roofing materials, from the least expensive to the most expensive:
Asphalt shingles. Conventional, three-tab asphalt shingles offer a relatively low cost roofing material. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide assortment of colors. When selecting asphalt shingles, be sure to check the warranty length (which may vary from 20 to 40 years), as well as for fire resistance ratings (A-rated offers the best protection).
Architectural shingles. Architectural shingles use the same material as standard asphalt shingles but they offer a thicker, more substantial look more closely resembling slate or wood shakes. Although they are more expensive than standard shingles, they tend to be easier to install. Premium laminate shingles are a new innovation offering more color and texture choices. Architectural shingles are often backed by warranties up to 50 years.
Wood shingles. Wood shingles are smooth and uniform, unalike wood shakes which have a rough and varied appearance. Wood shingles are generally cut from cedar or pressure-treated southern yellow pine. Due to the higher material and installation costs, they are a more expensive choice, but they should last 30 to 50 years.