How to Reshingle an Octagon Gazebo Roof

Remove the old shingles and roofing felt from the gazebo and dispose of properly. Use a claw hammer to remove the shingles and remove the staples from the felt.

Cover all the roof panels with roofing felt. Begin along the lower edge of one of the roof panels and roll the felt upward. Staple with heavy duty staples along the bottom edge of the roof panel. Use a utility knife to cut the felt to fit the triangular shape of the panel, allowing approximately 1/2 inch of felt to overlap the sides of the panel. Staple along the edge of the panel about every eight inches. Cover each panel in this manner.

Measure the edge of one of the eight panels and divide in half to find the center. At the center point, snap a vertical chalk line to the peak of the roof.

Create the starter line of shingles. Cut off the tabs on a strip of shingles and center on the chalk line, upside down. Allow 1/4 inch to overhang. Use four roofing nails to secure in place. Cut the tabs off two more strips and place on each side of the starter strip to complete the row. Slightly overlap the shingle strips. Use additional strips in the same manner if the panel is wider.

Trim off the outer edges of the shingles that are overlapping the roof panel of the gazebo. Use a utility knife to shape the edges of the shingles to match the edges of the triangular shape of the panel.

Add the first row of shingles. Place the shingles over the starter line with the tabs facing away from the edge. Secure with roofing nails and trim the edges as you did the starter row.

Snap horizontal chalk lines up the roof panel every six inches. From the edge of the upside down starter strip, measure six inches and snap a line entirely across the panel. Repeat the measurement and snap lines completely up the roof panel.

Place the second row of shingles in place. Use the horizontal chalk line to line up the tabs at the rear of the second row. Secure each strip of shingles in place with four roofing nails. Trim the edges at each end of the row to fit the shape of the panel. Continue in this manner to the top of the roof panel.

Repeat this process for each of the eight roof panels.

Create and install the ridge covers. Remove the tabs from a strip of shingles. Divide the shingle in six equal parts widthwise and cut with a utility knife. Center the first cut piece over the ridge edge between the panels. Use roofing nails on each corner to secure. Place the next piece slightly overlapping the first, moving up the ridge line. Work all the way to the top. Cover all the ridge lines in this manner.

Cover the peak. Most gazebos have pieces to cover the peak made of wood or metal. Attach these pieces according to manufacturer's recommendations. If there is not a peak piece, cut a shingle into an octagon shape to fit over the top and align with the panels. Staple in place with heavy duty staples.