Man, reading this thread is giving me flashbacks to my own roofing fiasco last summer. I thought I'd save a few bucks by skipping the chalk lines altogether—figured eyeballing it would be "good enough." Spoiler alert: it wasn't. Ended up with hips that looked like they'd been installed after a few too many beers. Had to rip them off and redo the whole thing, which was about as fun as you'd imagine.
Totally agree on the starter strip too—it's one of those sneaky little details you think you can breeze past until reality smacks you upside the head. My advice? Don't skimp on prep work or tools. Borrow or rent if you have to, but trust me, it's cheaper than redoing half your roof.
Sounds like you're already on track though, so keep at it. And hey, worst-case scenario, you'll have some great stories to tell at your next barbecue...
Haha, eyeballing shingles—been there, regretted that. Did you end up using a roofing nailer or stick with the good ol' hammer? I've found a nailer saves sanity (and thumbs), but maybe that's just me. Also, did you try those pre-cut ridge shingles? They're pricier but honestly worth every penny if you're not a pro roofer. Curious if anyone else thinks they're worth it or just overpriced convenience...
I learned the hard way that eyeballing shingles is a shortcut to frustration... never again. Personally, I stuck with the roofing nailer—saved me hours and probably a few band-aids. Tried hammering once and realized pretty quickly it wasn't worth the hassle.
About those pre-cut ridge shingles, though, I've got mixed feelings. Used them on a smaller job last year, and yeah, they're convenient and neat-looking. But honestly, once you get into a rhythm cutting regular shingles yourself, it's not that big of a deal. They're great if you're tight on time or patience, but otherwise, I'd rather save the cash for something else. Guess it depends on how much your sanity is worth at the moment...
Haha, roofing nailer all the way—hammering shingles is like trying to eat soup with a fork, why even bother? Curious though, did you find cutting your own ridge shingles slowed you down much? I've done it both ways, and honestly, after a few awkward first cuts (and maybe some colorful language...), it wasn't too bad. But yeah, pre-cuts are tempting when you're already sunburned and cranky. Did you use a chalk line or just eyeball the cuts?
I've got to admit, I'm a bit surprised by the strong preference for roofing nailers here. Don't get me wrong, they're definitely faster, but I've found that hand-nailing shingles can actually offer more control, especially around tricky areas like hips and ridges. Maybe it's just me being overly cautious, but I've seen some nailers drive nails too deep or at odd angles, which can compromise the shingle's integrity over time. Of course, it depends heavily on your compressor settings and experience level, but still... something to consider.
As for cutting ridge shingles yourself versus using pre-cuts—I agree that after the initial awkwardness, cutting your own isn't too bad. But honestly, I think the real slowdown comes from trying to eyeball cuts rather than marking them clearly. I've tried both methods, and while eyeballing seems quicker at first glance, I always end up spending extra time adjusting or recutting shingles that don't quite line up right. A chalk line or even a simple cardboard template can save you a surprising amount of hassle in the long run.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is temperature. On hot days, shingles become softer and easier to cut cleanly—but they're also more prone to tearing if you're not careful. Conversely, cooler weather makes them stiffer and harder to cut neatly, but less likely to rip unexpectedly. Has anyone else noticed this? I usually try to plan my roofing projects around moderate weather for exactly this reason (though Mother Nature rarely cooperates with my schedule).
Anyway, just my two cents based on personal experience—your mileage may vary.
