New Porch Roof

by Justin
(Ohio)

QUESTION: Hi! I have a question about tying existing shingles of my home with my new porch. I read the part about laying shingles from the top of the porch roof to the bottom along the sides of the roof. My question is do you nail these rows down or just lay them out? And what do you mean by laying them with the tabs facing inward? Also my porch roof in not square.

ANSWER: Thanks Justin, for visiting our site. You'll notice when looking at an asphalt shingle that the top edge is continuous whereas the bottom edge is divided into sections called tabs. It does not have a continuous edge. A shingle will either have three or sometimes four tabs.

When laying them along the porch roof edge (which is optional), align the continuous edge of the shingle along the edge of your roof edge. The bottom edge with the tabs will then face toward the center of your roof.

Yes, you would nail these to the roof.

Although your porch roof may not be square(and most are not), it is important to lay the shingles so they are square. Otherwise, your porch roof will look funny!

You will need at least two people to do the following - three may be better.

To compensate, lay your first row along the bottom edge of your porch roof. Then use a chalk line to create a mark on your roof that is perpendicular to one side of your porch roof. To do that, use the 3,4, 5 rule. Place this line approximately 10 - 12 inches up from the edge.

To do this, place a mark (10-12 inches) up from the edge. From that point, measure another 3 feet up and place a mark. You should now have two marks on the edge of your roof.

Using a string, place a mark it at 4 feet from one end. Place the end of the string on your porch roof at the 10-12 inch mark. Extend the string across the length of the porch. Put the end of the tape measure at the 3 foot mark you made on the porch edge. Extend the tape measure out to 5 feet. Simultaneously adjust the tape measure and the string until the 4 foot mark on the string intersects the 5 foot on the tape measure.

Once they intersect, place a mark where the string touches the opposite roof edge.

Align your chalk cord along this line and make a mark across the entire length of the porch.

Lay your shingles slightly adjusting each row until they align with your chalk cord marking.

You should now have a "squared" row of shingles to work from.

Hope this helps,

Dave