Chapter 4 - Asphalt Shingles Flashcards
What is the base mat of organic-based asphalt shingles made of (past and present)?
Originally: Composed of cellulose fibers from recycled paper or wood chips
Present: made of tough, asphalt-saturated roofing felt, coated on both sides with asphalt.
How does the Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) classify fire-resistant shingles, and why are fire ratings important?
- Class A: Withstands severe fire exposure.
- Class B: Withstands moderate fire exposure.
- Class C: Withstands light fire exposure.
Fire ratings can determine the insurability of a building.
What are the slope requirements for installing asphalt shingles, and when are special application procedures needed?
- Asphalt shingles require a solid roof deck.
- Generally, shingles can be installed on slopes between 4:12 and 21:12.
- Special application procedures are required for slopes as flat as 2:12 or steeper than 21:12.
What are the types and characteristics of asphalt strip shingles?
- **3 tab shingles: **Feature cutouts at the butt end, giving the appearance of smaller, individual units.
- Laminated (composition) shingles: Have multiple layers of tabs, creating extra thickness and a 3D appearance. They lack cutouts and are designed for added durability and aesthetics.
What is the purpose and installation method for the starter course when installing asphalt strip shingles?
Purpose:
* Protects the eaves by filling the space under cutouts and joints.
* Creates a double-layer of shingles at the eaves.
Installation:
* Install with a 1/4”–3/8” overhang at the eaves and rakes, after laying the underlayment, drip edge, and valley flashing.
What materials are typically used as a starter course of asphalt strip shingles?
1) Roll Roofing Starter Course: 7” wide strip of mineral surfaced roll roofing (not recommended)
2) Shingle Starter Course: Starter course by cutting off the shingle tabs and installing with factory-applied adhesive along eaves.
How do you install a starter course of shingles?
1) Cut off 3 inches of end of starter-course (staggers joints of starter and 1st course of shingles)
2) Drive nails into shingles 3-4” above eaves
3) If using roll roofing or shingles w/o factory applied adhesive strip, bond each tab of 1st course of shingles to starter course using dab of cement under each tab.
What are the three basic shingling patterns used to install 3-tab asphalt strip shingles?
**6-inch pattern (half pattern): **
* Joints broken into halves.
* Generally reserved for gable roofs.
5-inch pattern (random pattern):
* Joints broken randomly.
* Generally reserved for hip roofs.
**4-inch pattern (third pattern): **
* Joints broken into thirds.
How is the 6-inch pattern (half pattern) installed for 3-tab asphalt strip shingles?
1st course: Install shingles normally.
2nd course: Remove 6 inches from the first shingle.
3rd course: Remove 12 inches from the first shingle.
Continue removing 6 additional inches from each subsequent course.
What is the easiest method for installing the 6-inch pattern on a gable roof, and what is it called?
The diagonal method.
* Shingle up the rake, installing each course just far enough out over the deck to establish the pattern.
* After reaching the ridge, return to the bottom and finish each course across the roof, working up the slope.
How is the 5-inch pattern (random pattern) installed for 3-tab asphalt strip shingles?
- 1st course: Start with a full-length shingle.
- 2nd course: Remove 5 inches from the first shingle.
- 3rd course: Remove 10 inches from the first shingle.
- Continue removing an additional 5 inches for each subsequent course.
How is the 4-inch pattern (third pattern) installed, and where is it typically used?
Use: Typically used on low-slope roofs (2:12 to 3:12).
**Installation: **Trim the first shingle of each subsequent course in multiples of 4 inches.
Where should you start shingling on gable and hip roofs?
**Gable roofs: **Start shingling at the gable end most visible to passers-by.
Hip roofs or roofs with equally visible gable ends: Start shingling at the center of the roof and proceed in both directions.
The 3 main types of valley are:
1) Open
2) Closed-cut (half lace)
3) Woven (full lace)
How do you construct an open valley for asphalt shingles?
- Install shingles at the upper end of the valley up to within 3 inches on each side of the centerline.
- Widen the distance down the valley by 1/8 inch per foot to compensate for water streaming and freezing.
