How To Install Asphalt Shingles
One of the most attractive features of asphalt shingles is how easy they are to install. There aren't really any other roofing products that are so easy to work with. It is always going to be difficult to install a roofing material on a pitched roof, but asphalt is going to be one of the easiest materials to handle.
This article explains how the installation of asphalt shingles work. It isn't a comprehensive how-to guide, but it is extensive enough to help you decide if you can install your own shingles or if you need to hire a professional. Since every asphalt shingle product is a little different, installation specifics might vary from product to product. But, the basic prep work, tools, and methods are very similar.
Walking and Working on a Roof is Dangerous
Before you decide whether or not you are going to install your own roof you need to imagine, and possibly even practice, walking around on it. The steeper your roof is, the more taxing the work is going to be on your body. So, if you don't have the stability and strength to stand on your angled roof for several hours a day while lifting and squatting over, you shouldn't even consider doing the work yourself.
Removing Your Old Roof Material
Next, you should consider how difficult it is going to be to remove your existing roof material. Removing heavy stone tiles and shingles can be hard because they're so heavy. Wood shingles are easier to remove, but it can be time consuming because you need to remove so many nails.
How Much Work Will Your Deck Need?
The wild card when it comes to roof replacement is the deck. The deck, once the old product is removed and before the new product can be installed, might need extensive repairs. If this is the case, it could be just as costly and time consuming as the rest of the project. So if you don't even want to take the risk, just let a professional handle it from the get go.
If you have done all the prep work, including removing your old product and preparing the deck, the actual installation of asphalt is simple. You basically tack the tail end of the shingle down with very small nails. The front end of most modern shingles has a self-adhesive edge, which holds it down and prevents it from lifting up in the wind.
