Good tips above, especially the hook blade—makes a huge difference. Couple things I'd add for hip and ridge shingles specifically:
- Don't rush alignment... eyeballing it seems fine until you step back and realize it's crooked.
- Slightly warming shingles in the sun helps them bend easier over hips without cracking.
- Offset your overlaps consistently or you'll notice weird bumps later.
Been there, done that...
"Don't rush alignment... eyeballing it seems fine until you step back and realize it's crooked."
Haha, learned that one the hard way myself. Thought I had nailed it until I climbed down and saw my "straight line" wobbling all over the place. Another tip I'd throw in: pay close attention to your nail placement. It's tempting to just hammer them anywhere that feels secure, but too high or too low can mess up how the shingles lay and seal down later. I usually aim for about an inch above the adhesive strip—seems to be the sweet spot.
Also, curious if anyone's got a preference between using dedicated hip & ridge shingles versus cutting your own from regular 3-tabs? I've done both, and while pre-cuts save time, sometimes cutting your own gives a cleaner finish, especially if you're trying to match older shingles. Wondering what others think...
I've always just cut my own from 3-tabs—honestly, can't justify paying extra for dedicated ridge shingles when the DIY method works fine. Never had issues matching older shingles either. Is there really that much of a difference in durability or lifespan?
"Is there really that much of a difference in durability or lifespan?"
- From what I've read, dedicated ridge shingles are thicker and designed specifically for extra exposure.
- Might offer slightly better wind resistance and wear over time.
- But honestly, if your DIY method works well and matches fine, the difference probably isn't huge.
- I went with pre-made ridge shingles just to be safe (first-time homeowner paranoia...), but plenty of folks seem happy cutting their own.
I've heard similar points about dedicated ridge shingles being a bit thicker, but honestly, I'm curious if the environmental factor plays into durability too. Like, would shingles exposed to harsher climates actually show a noticeable difference between DIY-cut and pre-made ones over time? I've always wondered if going with recycled or eco-friendly materials changes that equation at all...
