How To Fit Roof Shingles In Bracknell

Welcome to A1 Roofing Bracknell's comprehensive guide on how to fit roof shingles. We are a professional roofing company in Bracknell, Berkshire that specializes in installations, repairs, and maintenance of all types of roofs.

Roof shingles are a popular roofing material due to their durability, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. A properly installed shingle roof can last for decades, adding value and protection to your Bracknell property.

So, if you are planning to install a shingle roof or need to replace your existing roof, our step-by-step guide will help you to do it correctly.

Course One: Preparing For The Installation

First Steps

Before starting the installation, you need to make sure that the roof deck is clean, dry, and free from any debris or protrusions.

Also, ensure that you have all the necessary tools and materials for the job. These include:

• Roofing nails
• Chalk line
• Underlay material
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Roofing cement
• Bottom edge starter strips
• Clout nails
• Roof shingles
• Roofing felt
• Roof boards

Removing Old Shingles

If there are existing shingles, remove them before installing new ones. Use a pry bar to pry off the old shingles and nails. Be careful not to damage the roof deck.

Installing Underlay

Once the roof deck is clean, install the underlay material. This helps to prevent water penetration and ensure that the roof is airtight. Roll out the underlay horizontally, overlapping each roll by at least three inches. Secure the underlay in place using roofing nails.

Installing Starter Strips

The bottom edge starter strips should be installed along the edge of the roof deck. These strips provide a secure base for the shingles, preventing them from blowing off in windy conditions. Secure the strips using roofing nails.

Course Two: Installing The Roof Shingles

How To Make A Perfect Line

To ensure that the shingles are installed in a straight line, use a chalk line. Mark a straight line from the bottom edge to the peak of the roof.

The Need For Strips

The roof shingles should be installed in strips. Start at the bottom edge of the roof, laying the first strip of shingles along the starter strip. Ensure that the shingles are correctly aligned to the chalk line to make a straight line.

Installing The Shingles

To install the shingles, first, secure them with two nails at the first strip's top edge. Hammer the nails in 50mm from the strip's top edge and 150mm from the shingle's side. Be careful not to damage the shingle.

Lay the second row of shingles so that they overlap the first row. The overlap ensures that water drains correctly and prevents leaks. Also, ensure that the shingles are aligned correctly to the chalk line and nail them in place.

Continue installing the shingles, row by row, ensuring that each row overlaps the previous one. When you reach the roof peak, install the shingles across the top of the ridge.

Details Across The Roof

For shingle installation across the roof, start by laying out a strip of roofing felt along the peak of the roof. Secure the felt using clout nails.

Install the shingles, starting at the peak, down both sides of the roof. Ensure that each strip of shingles overlaps the strip below it. Secure the shingles using roofing nails.

Nail Placement

When nailing the shingles, ensure that the nails are placed in a straight line and spaced evenly. The nails should be placed 150mm apart across the shingle strips.

Using Roofing Cement

To ensure that the shingles are securely fastened, apply a thin layer of roofing cement under each shingle. This helps to prevent wind damage and provides an additional barrier against water penetration.

Final Checkpoint

Finally, once the installation is complete, check thoroughly for any cracks, gaps, or missing nails. Make the necessary repairs to ensure that the roof is airtight and storm-proof.

Course Three: Installing The Roof Boards

Roof Deck Should be Checked.

Before laying out the roof boards, ensure that the roof deck is structurally sound and free from any protrusions or damage.

Measuring The Strip Placement

Start by measuring the width of the roof deck. Divide the width into two equal parts and make a mark at the center of the roof. This will serve as a guide for the roof board placement.

Strip Placement

Lay out strips of roof boards from the center to each end of the roof deck. Ensure that the strips are centered on the marks and spaced evenly.

Nail Placement

Secure the roof boards to the roof deck using roofing nails. Nail the boards to the deck at 600mm intervals, spacing the nails evenly.

Measure The Pitch

To ensure that the roof boards are installed at the correct angle, measure the pitch of the roof. The roof pitch is the number of inches the roof rises for every 12 inches it runs.

Angle Adjustment

Adjust the angle of the roof board strips to match the roof pitch. This will ensure that water drains correctly and prevents leaks.

Final Checks

Once the installation is complete, check thoroughly for any gaps or loose boards. Make the necessary repairs to ensure that the roof is sturdy and safe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, shingle roofing installation can be a daunting task, especially if you're installing it for the first time. However, if you follow the steps outlined in this guide, you should have a well-installed and long-lasting roof.

At A1 Roofing Bracknell, we offer professional roof installation services to clients in Bracknell and the surrounding areas. Contact us at 01344 534049 or email us at [email protected] for all your roofing needs. Visit our website a1-roofing-bracknell.co.uk for more information.