How to Install a Wood Shingle Roof

Lay roofing felt across the surface of the roof, right at the eave. Leave enough felt at each end of the roof to overhang by roughly ¼ inch, and slide the felt down so that it overhangs the eave by roughly 1/2 inch. Staple the felt at each corner where it meets the roof, and then every 12 inches about ½ inch from the outside edge.

Lay the first row of wood shingles on top of the roofing felt, to hang off the sides of the roof and the eave by 1 ½ to 2 inches. Place the shingles at each end of the row first, drive a nail into the roof at the top of each of those shingles and tie a string between the nails to create a line with which to line up the center shingles. Secure each shingle with four nails through the top half, and cut down the final shingle that you lay in the row with a circular saw to make it fit into the leftover space.

Create a double row of shingles along the eave by placing the second row of wood shingles right on top of the shingles for the first row. Trim 2 inches off the first shingle for the second row, and line the shingle up with the outside edge of the first shingle of the first row, and then lay the subsequent shingles of the second row flush with the first shingle to stagger the seams of the top and bottom rows.

Roll roofing felt across the roof above the double row of shingles, so that felt overlaps the shingles by 8 inches. Use staples to secure the felt, and lay the next row of shingles so they overlap the first row by 15 to 16 inches. Continue up the roof in this manner until you reach the top.

Lay the last row of shingles on the first side so that the tops of the shingles sit level with the peak of the roof. Move to the opposite side of the roof and install the shingles up that side, using the same pattern as the first side. Install the top row of shingles so that the tops extend above the peak by 1 ½ to 2 inches. Apply roofing cement to the exposed nails in the top row of shingles on both sides of the roof.