I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!) I
obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody, please
help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave

"Dave" wrote in message
...
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!)
I obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave



Okay, I may already have the answer, or at least part of it. Upon
reflection I realized I did not stagger the first row of shingles, I laid
them right on top of the reversed (upside down) shingles that I laid down
first. Have to undo that, and stagger the replacement shingles, leaving a
1/8 inch or so between adjacent shingles. Is this how it's done? Again, I
would really like someone who has done this to give me some feedback and
help me toward the right answer. Thanks for any help.

Dave

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 7:38:48 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!)
I obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave



Okay, I may already have the answer, or at least part of it. Upon
reflection I realized I did not stagger the first row of shingles, I laid
them right on top of the reversed (upside down) shingles that I laid down
first. Have to undo that, and stagger the replacement shingles, leaving a
1/8 inch or so between adjacent shingles. Is this how it's done? Again, I
would really like someone who has done this to give me some feedback and
help me toward the right answer. Thanks for any help.

Dave

There should be instructions with the shingles and at the manufacturers
website. Also plenty of videos. You should not leave 1/8" between
shingles. To deal with having only 1/2" left at one end, you can start the
pattern with a partial shingle, say 2/3's of one, instead of a full one.
Just make sure to follow rules for correct spacing of joints verus the
previous course.

"trader_4" wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 7:38:48 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find
that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do
I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of
shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah,
right!)
I obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave



Okay, I may already have the answer, or at least part of it. Upon
reflection I realized I did not stagger the first row of shingles, I laid
them right on top of the reversed (upside down) shingles that I laid down
first. Have to undo that, and stagger the replacement shingles, leaving
a
1/8 inch or so between adjacent shingles. Is this how it's done? Again,
I
would really like someone who has done this to give me some feedback and
help me toward the right answer. Thanks for any help.

Dave

There should be instructions with the shingles and at the manufacturers
website. Also plenty of videos. You should not leave 1/8" between
shingles. To deal with having only 1/2" left at one end, you can start
the
pattern with a partial shingle, say 2/3's of one, instead of a full one.
Just make sure to follow rules for correct spacing of joints verus the
previous course.

THANK YOU for your reply. And I realized that I could place 1/3 shingles in
between the three I am placing, which would also serve to give me som
eoverhang on each end. And yes, I believe I understand about staggering the
joints on each progressive row as compared to the last and previous rows.
God I hate being so ignorant about something that ouht to be plain and
simple. Will check out some videos to see what else I don't know. Thanks
agaian. I will get this done.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find
that the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end.
What do I do with this?

As Trader_4 mentioned, cut off part of your first shingle to offset the
row. Then you'll have a larger piece leftover when you get to the other
end. Offset the next row so the joints end up in the middle of each lower
shingle (for a simple running bond pattern).

For a small roof like yours, the easiest way to figure out how much to cut
off the first shingle is to mock up the first couple of rows on the ground.
Lay out the two rows like you want them on the roof, then use a tape
measure to figure out the width of the roof. Then measure that width on the
shingles, shifting left or right to find the starting offset that gives you
the largest tabs on each end (trying to avoid tiny pieces at each end).
Then cut off the appropriate amount for the shingle that starts each row.
This is a lot easier than trying to figure things out up on the roof when
shingles are already nailed on.

I realized I did not stagger the first row of shingles, I
laid them right on top of the reversed (upside down) shingles that I
laid down first. Have to undo that, and stagger the replacement
shingles, leaving a 1/8 inch or so between adjacent shingles.

Each strip of shingles should butt up directly against the previous strip.
The shingles are designed with half slots on each end so they result in the
same size full slot when butted together.

Also, the gaps of your inverted starter strip should be offset at least 2-
4" from the joints in the first row of shingles. You don't want the slots
between tabs to land over the joints in the starter strips.

Anthony Watson
www.mountainsoftware.com
www.watsondiy.com

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 9:47:35 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:
"trader_4" wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 7:38:48 AM UTC-5, Dave wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find
that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do
I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of
shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah,
right!)
I obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave



Okay, I may already have the answer, or at least part of it. Upon
reflection I realized I did not stagger the first row of shingles, I laid
them right on top of the reversed (upside down) shingles that I laid down
first. Have to undo that, and stagger the replacement shingles, leaving
a
1/8 inch or so between adjacent shingles. Is this how it's done? Again,
I
would really like someone who has done this to give me some feedback and
help me toward the right answer. Thanks for any help.

Dave

There should be instructions with the shingles and at the manufacturers
website. Also plenty of videos. You should not leave 1/8" between
shingles. To deal with having only 1/2" left at one end, you can start
the
pattern with a partial shingle, say 2/3's of one, instead of a full one.
Just make sure to follow rules for correct spacing of joints verus the
previous course.

THANK YOU for your reply. And I realized that I could place 1/3 shingles in
between the three I am placing, which would also serve to give me som
eoverhang on each end.

I would not insert a part shingle in the middle. It will screw up
the look of the shingles, unless of course you do it exactly right. It's
very easy to just start the first course with the appropriate shingle
that;s less than a full one, if necessary to avoid a thin strip at the end.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:26:00 AM UTC-8, Dave wrote:
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!) I
obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody, please
help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave

You have already found the answer "start with less than a full shingle" How much less? That depends on the look you want. The package will tell you haw much to cut off the first shingle to get two different looks. One will end up with the cut-outs running straight up the roof. The other will end up with the cut-outs running at an angle up the roof USE THAT ONE. I no longer have a bundle left so I can't give you a size but it will be on your bundles. Look at roofs in your area and almost all of them will have the cut-offs going up the roof in an angel.

Roofs with the cut-outs running straight up the roof are bad for two reasons

1. It is a sure sign that an amateur roofer laid it - no professional would.
2. Any errors in laying will be very obvious.

Be sure to start each row from the same end, save the cut-offs from the last shingle, some of them will be long enough to use later as you go up the roof.

DO NOT INSERT A SHORT SHINGLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROW.

Harry K

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:26:00 AM UTC-8, Dave wrote:
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!) I
obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody, please
help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave

If you haven't done so, put on 'drip edges' before laying that first upside down layer.

Harry K

"Harry K" wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:26:00 AM UTC-8, Dave wrote:
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!)
I
obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please
help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave

You have already found the answer "start with less than a full shingle" How
much less? That depends on the look you want. The package will tell you
haw much to cut off the first shingle to get two different looks. One will
end up with the cut-outs running straight up the roof. The other will end
up with the cut-outs running at an angle up the roof USE THAT ONE. I no
longer have a bundle left so I can't give you a size but it will be on your
bundles. Look at roofs in your area and almost all of them will have the
cut-offs going up the roof in an angel.

Roofs with the cut-outs running straight up the roof are bad for two reasons

1. It is a sure sign that an amateur roofer laid it - no professional
would.
2. Any errors in laying will be very obvious.

Be sure to start each row from the same end, save the cut-offs from the last
shingle, some of them will be long enough to use later as you go up the
roof.

DO NOT INSERT A SHORT SHINGLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROW.

Harry K


Hey Harry, Thanks for the input. I'm not sure what you mean by having the
cut-outs running up at a angle. Or straight up and down, for that matter.
Are you talking about the "notches" at the end of each shingle, that work
together to keep things "looking right"? If I cut six inches off of the
first shingle, that will do what you are talking about won't it? I really
am trying to get this right. It's going to be staring me down for the next
20 or so years.

Thanks again. And BTW, I decided to come inside and get out my Home
Improvement 1-2-3 book from Home Depot, which has a section on laying
asphalt shingles. This whole thing is not as simple as I thought it was.

Dave

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 9:14:27 AM UTC-8, Dave wrote:
"Harry K" wrote in message
...
On Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:26:00 AM UTC-8, Dave wrote:
I built a shed in the back yard, but upon beginning to roof it I find that
the roof is 1/2 inch wider than three shingles laid end to end. What do I
do with this? Cut a 1/2 inch piece and insert it into the row of shingles?
Cut the offending 1/2 off of the roof with a circular saw? (yeah, right!)
I
obviously have no idea of how to deal with this situation. Somebody,
please
help me. Ignorant, and trying not to be stupid.

Dave

You have already found the answer "start with less than a full shingle" How
much less? That depends on the look you want. The package will tell you
haw much to cut off the first shingle to get two different looks. One will
end up with the cut-outs running straight up the roof. The other will end
up with the cut-outs running at an angle up the roof USE THAT ONE. I no
longer have a bundle left so I can't give you a size but it will be on your
bundles. Look at roofs in your area and almost all of them will have the
cut-offs going up the roof in an angel.

Roofs with the cut-outs running straight up the roof are bad for two reasons

1. It is a sure sign that an amateur roofer laid it - no professional
would.
2. Any errors in laying will be very obvious.

Be sure to start each row from the same end, save the cut-offs from the last
shingle, some of them will be long enough to use later as you go up the
roof.

DO NOT INSERT A SHORT SHINGLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROW.

Harry K


Hey Harry, Thanks for the input. I'm not sure what you mean by having the
cut-outs running up at a angle. Or straight up and down, for that matter.
Are you talking about the "notches" at the end of each shingle, that work
together to keep things "looking right"? If I cut six inches off of the
first shingle, that will do what you are talking about won't it? I really
am trying to get this right. It's going to be staring me down for the next
20 or so years.

Thanks again. And BTW, I decided to come inside and get out my Home
Improvement 1-2-3 book from Home Depot, which has a section on laying
asphalt shingles. This whole thing is not as simple as I thought it was.

Dave

Yes the 'cut-outs' are those notches on 3-tab shingles. I don't recall the amount to cut off the starting shingle to get the effect. One way winds up with them lined up straight up the roof, the other (and best for looks) run up at an angle.

The book is thie best way to go, you get pictures to help with the explanations.

Harry K