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The most important thing to remember when laying shingles is to work from the bottom of the slope to the top. This leaves you with a top overlap that directs runoff from one row to the next until it reaches the eave for disposal. You should also make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions and the local building code for nailing patterns and frequency so all of your hard work stays put through varying weather conditions.

You shouldn’t put a new roof underlayment over an old one for a few reasons. Old felt must be removed in order to assess the condition of your roof decking, such as rotting wood or other structural issues. Also, if your roofer doesn't install a fresh layer of felt as is required by shingle manufacturers, your warranty may be voided. Finally, old underlayment removal is often included in the cost of roof repair or replacement, so there's no real benefit to leaving it on before installing a new layer.

You can technically install a metal roof over asphalt shingles, but it isn’t a good idea. This is because you’re essentially creating a moisture barrier under the metal, which can easily—and often does—lead to significant mold damage. Removing an asphalt roof isn’t terribly expensive, and some roofing companies might cut you a serious labor and disposal discount if you add it to a new install.

Mansard roofs are still popular in Paris, where they originated, and throughout France. In the United States, you can find mansard roofs on some older buildings in Manhattan. The architecture also appears on some Victorian and Colonial-style homes. There are pockets of homes with mansard roofs in New York City and Los Angeles, where they were once more popular than they are today.