How to Shingle a Square Hip Roof

Putting shingles on your square hip roof takes time, patience and a head for heights. The square hip roof, fitted over a square house, has four steeply sloped sides like a pyramid.

Step 1: Place Main Shingles on Each Peak

Start from the lowest edge of the roof and mark the shingle paths up the peak and the hips with a chalk line and permanent marker. Lay the shingles and secure them in place with a shingle nailing gun, and the long flat-headed nails made for shingles. Insert a line of roof jacks to help secure your footing as you reach the top of each peak.

Step 2: Align and Fasten the Hip Shingles

The shingles used for the roof hips, the diagonal ridge between each roof side are square and have a slight fold in the middle. Align them carefully on top of each other, with the bottom shingle reaching out 1/8 inch beyond the roof hip corner. Nail the hip shingles down on each side with the shingle nailing gun. Trim off the triangular dog ears of the first shingle with a blade cutter.