How to Install Roofing Shingles on a Hip Roof

Lay shingles on the hip ridge by starting on the eave of the inverse V, or hip ridge, area of the roof. As with other styles of roof, use four 1 3/4-inch roofing nails to attach each shingle to the roof. Use two shingles to start the run on your roof's hip ridge.

Trim the shingles. For the shingles that butt up against the hip ridge, use a utility knife to trim those shingles to match the angle of the hip ridge.

Cover the hip ridge. You can get hip shingles from your local home improvement store. They are shingles custom made to lay on hip ridges. Or you can cut your regular shingles with a utility knife to fit the hip ridge.

Apply roofing cement. For all of the shingles that you had to cut or trim you, will need to apply a little roofing cement. This will help to keep the shingles in place and prevent water from getting under them.

Move to the main roof ridge once you have shingled the hip ridge. Cover the main roof ridge. Shingle the main roof ridge with hip shingles, or cut regular shingles to fit the main roof ridge. Apply roofing cement to any cut shingles.

Finish installing roof shingles on the main roof. For the shingles that butt up against the hip ridge, use a utility knife to cut the shingles to the same angle as the hip ridge. Apply roofing cement to the cut shingles to keep them in place.