How to Install Wood or Cedar Shake Roof Shingles Yourself

When it comes to picking an underlay, you have some choices. Choose the non-breathable underlay that best fits the needs of your roof and geographic location. A simple felt underlay is the most budget-friendly option, but a more advanced moisture-resistant membrane is the best bet for most homeowners. Conduct plenty of research before buying the underlay or ask your local roofing contractor for suggestions.

Now you are ready to learn how to install wood shingles. But before doing anything else, install the appropriate roof ventilation components to ensure that air flows correctly below the underlay and into the roof space. Roof vents are one of the most important parts of a roof, as they help to manage moisture on the roof and in the attic. 

If you purchased a roof ventilation kit, it shipped with simple over-fascia ventilation boards and support trays. Install the over-fascia vents according to the instructions at the bottom of the roofline. If the kit did not ship with the appropriate fasteners, use screws or staples, depending on the thickness. 

After you place the vents, do the same with any felt support trays. Place these trays on top of the over-fascia vents, nailing them into place via holes on the exterior. If possible, also nail it through the roll panel and into the rafter via the top of the tray.

No matter which underlay type you choose, the wood shingle installation process, including for cedar shake shingles, remains similar. Place the non-breathable felt or membrane across the entire roof, ensuring there is plenty of overlap between layers. You should end up with a single complete covering with no gaps. 

Take your time placing and configuring. After that, dress the underlay down to the bottom of the support trays and secure each piece of underlayment with self-adhesive tape. This process takes a while, so keep at it until the entire roof is covered and secured.

Now it is time to affix battens across the entire width of the roof. Placement depends on the shape, design, and size of your roof, but most installations start with a first batten placed around five inches from the outer edge of the fascia (measured to the center of the batten.) 

Secure the batten in place with screws and move on to the remaining pieces. Each subsequent roof batten is placed five inches apart from the previous piece.

Now it is time to install the beginning layers of wood shingles. This initial double layer is the last line of defense before hitting the underlayment, so go slowly and take care to get it right.

When starting out, make sure the shingles overhang the verge and eaves by about 1.5 inches. This helps protect both roofing elements. Place the two layers of shingles in a broken bond pattern. Lay down two shingles next to one another and the third shingle on top, directly over the joint. Make sure to include a small gap of about 1/5 of an inch to help with ventilation and allow for natural thermal movement.

Once the double layer of wood shingles is placed and you are satisfied with the overall configuration, affix them in place with stainless steel ring shank nails or roof staples. Do not just staple or nail all over the place, as following a specific pattern helps increase the stability of the shingles. 

Make sure each fixing is three-quarters of an inch from the edge of the shingle itself and approximately one inch up from the butt of the shingle resting above. Break out a chalk line or tape measure to ensure the fixings are all in a straight line.

Go around and add a third layer of wood shingles if you think you need them. However, some states and counties only allow two layers of shingles for fire safety reasons. Contact your local regulatory agency for more information. 

Additionally, shingles are heavy, and some roof designs may not accommodate an additional layer. In many cases, you can add another layer later on, so talk to a professional roofer about your options here.

Next, cut the top course of the shingles with a hand saw or utility knife to ensure an even and uniform ridge that extends five inches from the fascia. To make this go faster, invite a skilled friend or family member to the top of the ladder so they can hold you in place as you make the necessary cuts.

To finish things off, consider affixing preformed hip and ridge shingles on the roof ridge for aesthetic appeal and to help create a secure and protective ridge. The installation process is exactly the same, and these preformed shingles are built to fit over the edge layer of the preexisting shingles.