How to Cut Top Roof Ridge Shingles

Some home projects require cutting the ridge cap shingles. Installation of an attic ridge vent is the most common project requiring cutting through the ridge cap shingles. The project requires some basic carpenter tools and skills. In addition, you are working at the peak of the roof, which commonly requires the use of ladders or scaffolding that not all do-it-yourselfers possess.

Ladder or scaffolding
Tape Measure
Chalk line
Utility knife
Circular saw

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the location of the cuts to the ridge cap shingles. Locate the planned position of each end of the cut. Snap a chalk line between the two points to mark the line for the cut.
- 2
  Cut through the ridge cap shingles using a sharp utility knife following the line marked in the previous step. For a ridge vent, for example, you make two parallel cuts about 1 inch on each side of the peak of the roof.
- 3
  Cut through the layers of shingles below the ridge cap. The top course of shingles on each side commonly extends over the ridge of the roof. Use the utility knife to cut through each layer individually to reach the roof sheathing.
- 4
  Apply roofing tar or 2-inch roof nails to hold the top edges of the top courses of shingles in place.

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