How do you install roof shingles?

Shingles go on over a sound deck covered with underlayment. The crew installs drip edge at the eaves, lays a starter strip, then works upward in overlapping courses, nailing each shingle in the manufacturer's nail line and staggering the seams. Valleys, step flashing at walls, and boots at pipes seal the leak-prone spots.

Correct nailing is the detail that matters most: nails set too high or overdriven void warranties and let shingles blow off, a common failure in high-wind areas. Florida code often requires a specific nailing pattern and a sealed or taped deck.

Because a small flashing or nailing mistake causes leaks years later, most homeowners are better served by a qualified roofer than by DIY.