The roof of a house is like the icing on a cake. Not only for beauty but it is the shelter that protects us. Although there are various materials that can be used like metal, slate and clay tiles but wood is a popular and common choice for owners and builders.

A wooden roof helps in insulation and keeps the house warm. It allows a free flow of air between the wooden shafts. Moreover wooden shingles are long lasting and can withstand expansion and contraction due to weather conditions. Wood is light, can be carved using simple tools and allows snow to drain off easily and ensures protection from strong winds and hurricanes.

In fact wood is available in plenty in the US because of its geographical location and is therefore quite cheap. A wooden roof top is not only aesthetic, earthy and contemporary to look at, but also offers several advantages.

Shingling your roof on your own can save money.

Instructions

Laying Felt and Flashing

1. Nail one strip of tar paper along the bottom edge of your roof, spaced every 12 inches, along each edge of the felt.

2. A second strip of felt paper should be rolled out farther up the roof from the first overlapping the top edge of the first by two inches. It should be nailed in place and rolling out should be continued till you reach the top of the roof.

3. One layer of felt should be nailed over the ridge line of your roof.

4. A strip of flashing is nailed along the edge of your roof, nestled tightly.

Laying Shingles

1. One tabless shingle is nailed in the corner of your roof.

2. A second tabless shingle is nailed next to the first. Nailing tabless shingles is continued till you reach the edge.

3. A full shingle is set in place above the first row, overlapping by 5 inches and nailed.

4. Laying shingles and nailing them in place is continued in layers till you reach the roof top.

A ledger is to be installed on top of a block wall before you can attach the roof trusses to it.

Instructions

1. The width of the block and the length of the wall are measured.

2. The board is measured and cut for the length of ledger for the wall.

3. A mark is made 1 ½ inches inward from the end of the board and a line is snapped. This is repeated on the other opposite edge.

4. Along the length of the chalk lines marks are made every 12 inches with the pencil and pilot holes are drilled on each mark.

5. The ledges are set on top of the block wall and drilled into the block through the pilot holes.

6. The ledger is secured by driving a 3 1/2-inch concrete screw into the block.

7. After marking the location of the roof trusses, they are set and secured with a joist hanger using the hammer and nails.

This step is repeated to attach the remaining trusses.