How to Shingle a Hip Roof

Replacing hip roof shingles takes more effort and time than replacing shingles on any other type of roof. More shingles will need to be trimmed and sized for the hip roof, as laying them includes laying them around corners. It is a good idea to match the shingles on the hip roof with the natural flow of the roof. This alone can take more time and effort. Try your hand at adding shingles to a hip roof on the side that is not visible to people passing by.

Step 1--Added Protection

To avoid potential water damage, you should begin this project by adding flashing to the ridges and adding tin strips to the edges of the hip roof.

Step 2--The First Shingle

Place the first shingle on the roof so that the bottom of it is even with the edge of the hip roof at the bottom. Trim the sides of the shingle so it matches the angle of the hip roof ridge it is against. If you begin on the left, the left of the shingle should be trimmed. The opposite applies if you are beginning on the right. Nail this shingle to the hip roof once you are sure it is lined up correctly with the roof edge and the ridge. Place a nail in the top corners of the shingle about 1 1/2-inch from the sides and top. Place another nail in the center of the shingle and two if high winds are an issue. Continue adding shingles until you have a line along the bottom edge of the hip roof. Trim the last shingle to fit the angle of the hip roof.

Step 3--Continuing to Add Shingles

The remaining shingles are placed onto the hip roof in the same manner as the shingles you placed in Step 1. Work on one row of shingles at a time until you are finished. You will need to trim the sides to the correct angles. The starting shingles for each row will typically be a half shingle at the ridge of the hip roof as you ascend. As you place the remaining shingles on the hip roof, make sure the center of the new shingles overlaps the previous row by 2/3. You will also want to place them on top and between two shingles from the previous row.

Step 4--Glue and Caps

The very last shingle that is placed on the hip roof should be affixed with asphalt roofing cement. This shingle should also be nailed in place. This will help to secure all of the other shingles. The last thing you need to do is to install ridge caps. Begin at the bottom of the hip roof ridges using two stacked shingles. Cut them to fit and start the first ridge cap at the bottom of the hip roof ridge. Use one cap at each spot up the ridge.