How to Make Roof Caps

Asphalt Shingles

• 1

  Cut asphalt shingles between the tabs to make three separate shingle pieces. Trim the corners off the rectangular side of the cut shingle piece so the shape on that side matches the shape of the shingles on the tab side.

• 2

  Lay the first cut piece of shingle so it lies centered over the peak of the roof. If you need guidance for centering the shingles, measure 6 1/2 inches down from the peak on both sides of the roof at one end of the roof and then again at the other end and snap chalk lines between the marks on both sides. Then, line the edges of the asphalt shingle pieces up with the lines you made on either side of the roof, and secure the shingle with four to six roofing nails on either side of the roof.

• 3

  Lay the next shingle piece so that it leaves approximately 6 inches of the first shingle exposed, and attach the new shingle piece to the roof with nails. Continue laying the shingles across the peak of the roof in this fashion to create asphalt roof caps and then cover all nail heads and seams between shingles with roofing cement.

Wood Shingles

• 4

  Lay the top row of wood shingles on both sides of the roof so that the shingles line up with the roof’s peak. Roll a self-adhesive waterproof membrane out over the top of the roof peak and cut the membrane to the length of the roof.

• 5

  Lay the top row of wood shingles on both sides of the roof so the shingles line up with the roof’s peak. Roll a self-adhesive waterproof membrane out over the top of the roof peak and cut the membrane to the length of the roof.

• 6

  Install another row of shingles over the top row of shingles on one side of the roof. Again, line the shingle tops up with the roof peak.

• 7

  Lay a shingle at one end on the other side of the roof so that the shingle extends 2 inches above the roof peak. Then, move to the other end of the roof and lay a shingle that extends 2 inches above the roof peak. Snap a chalk line between the bottoms of the two shingles.

• 8

  Install the shingles between the two end shingles so that the bottoms of the shingles line up with the chalk line. Once all shingles are in place, apply roofing cement to the nail heads and the seams where the shingles come together.