How to Shingle a Low Slope Roof

Use an extension ladder to access your roof. Whenever you use a ladder, someone else needs to hold it steady and stay with you while you're on the roof.

Lay out a 30-lb. felt underlayment across the base of the roof. Staple it to the roof sheathing every 8 inches.

Lay an additional sheet of underlayment on top of the first one, overlapping the seam by a few inches. Staple this one in place, as well. Continue until the whole roof is covered.

Install a galvanized drip edge along the base of the roof. Nail it in place with a power nailer.

Nail a first course row of shingles over the top of the drip edge.

Find the center of the low slop roof using a tape measure. Snap a vertical chalk line along the center.

Snap horizontal chalk lines every 5 inches going outward from that center vertical line.

Line up the first row of shingles with the intersecting vertical and horizontal chalk lines above the first course row of shingles. Nail it in place. Use four nails for each shingle.

Continue installing the rows of shingles with the top of each set lined up with the horizontal chalk lines. Stagger the shingles for a more uniform, pleasing appearance.

Be especially careful as you move up the roof. Even though it's a low slope, a slip and fall accident is still possible.

Lay 12-by-12-inch ridge caps over the ridge of your low slope roof. Install these on either side with the power nailer. This creates the cap for the ridge of your roof.