Why Are Shingled Offsets On A Roof Important

The cut outs separating the shingle tabs line up every other course.

Why are shingled offsets on a roof important.

Many pros shingle in a vertical line up the roof because it s much faster. Some fiberglass shingles to lift from the roof plane. This is also the reason why older shingles with fewer granules tend to look drab and lacking. Three tab shingles are most typically installed with a half tab offset that yields the characteristic brickwork appearance.

The first course is the starter course and the last being a ridge course or ridge slates. The granules while still embedded to the shingles create a distinct texture that enhances the overall look of the roof s surface. Although many customers prefer to see the cutouts aligned on the roof this directs runoff into channels that erode the shingle surface. The 5 inch offset pattern provides the best all around.

There are four basic patterns to laying out three tab shingles. Without the granules asphalt shingles would have that plain flat look. Shingles historically were called tiles and shingle was a term applied to wood shingles as is still mostly the case outside the us. Shingles are laid in courses usually with each shingle offset from its neighbors.

Straight up method a half pattern b 4 inch offset c and 5 inch offset d. However occasionally due to minor unavoidable dimensional variations in the shingles or vagaries in the roof deck s squareness the cut out. A note about other offsets less than 4 inches. Known in the trade as vertical racking or staggering this how to lay shingles method enables the roofer to install a single column of shingles all the way to the peak without the wasted back and forth motion necessary to fill several rows of stair steps.