How To Trim Roof Shingles

How to cut shingles off the edge of a roof in a straight line.

How to trim roof shingles.

I installed a roof on a small shed total roof size 7 x 11 using asphalt shingles. Looking for tips on best technique and tools to use to trim the shingles on the edge where they re overhanging the eave. Butt a full shingle up against the cut shingle and nail into place. How to trim them up to the drip strip and maintain a nice even and smooth cut.

The rake edge is the extreme edge of the roof on either side. Lay the starter row of metal shingles at the drip edge and affix to the roof with metal roofing nails. As you continue follow the pattern of lining a full shingle up against the next and nailing it into place. Metal roofing is also available in the form of shingles.

You may need to cut panels to fit angles using a circular saw with a metal saw blade. Continue adding panels until the roof is covered. Alternatively you can use a starting row of full sized shingles by turning them with the tabs pointing upward. The edge of a roof in professional vernacular is called the rake edge.

When you cut along the chalk line you should be making the shingles even and leaving a 1 2 inch overhang where the shingles extend beyond the edge. Follow the guideline you created to keep the shingles straight. Repeat this basic pattern alternating shingles across the roof working toward the right side using the chalk line to keep the shingles straight horizontally. Use 4 nails per shingle and 6 nails on the prevailing windward sides of the roof as wind resistance nailing.

Handyman ian eltringham recommends leaving a 1 2 inch overlap between the edge of the roof and the shingle. So your next course of shingles should cover the nails by 1 inch vertically. Much faster safer and easier way to trim cut asphalt shingles than the traditional method of using a blade and straight edge. Cut your last shingle on each row to size repeating all the way to the ridge.