Preparation

Be sure that the walls are smooth, without protuberances. Nail ends or points should be removed or pounded flush.

Building paper - An approved paper should be applied over the sheathing. Apply it horizontally, with a staple gun, starting at the base of the wall, with a 2" horizontal overlap with each succeeding course, and a 6" overlap vertically when starting a new roll. Wrap the paper 4" each way around both inside and outside corners.


Corner Boards - Install corner boards (Fig. 6) at this time.


Flashing - Flashings and caulking over doors, windows, and other points of potential water entry should be in accordance with good building practice.


Laying Out -Determine the number of courses by measuring the height of the wall at the lowest part of the foundation, from a point 1" below the top of the foundation, to the top of the wall. Divide the height into equal parts, corresponding closely to the recommended weather exposure, but not exceeding the maximum recommended. Transfer this measurement and the number of courses to a storypole (Fig. 1), to lay out courses on all other walls. Whenever possible butt lines should align with tops or bottoms of windows or other openings, and for appearance the exposure of the final course at the top should match those below.

Single Coursing

Double the starting course at the base of the wall (Fig. 2). Apply with 1/8" to ¼" vertical space between shingles, giving a pronounced individual effect to each shingle and allowing for expansion. Primed shingles can be butted close together. A natural shingle, if applied with tight joints, should be primed or stained soon after application to prevent buckling due to expansion caused by moisture absorption (Fig. 4 - next page).

Offset the side joints in any one course at least 1½" over the joints in courses (Fig.4 - next page)

Use a straight edge, nailing it lightly to the wall with the edge at the butt line (to keep courses straight and level). Check for level every 3 or 4 courses.

This wall application features concealed nailing (Fig. 2), with nails driven approximately 1" above the butt line of the succeeding course. For shingles up to 8" wider, place two nails in each shingle ¾" from each edge. With shingles wider than 8" drive two additional nails approximately 1" apart near the center.

Because shingles vary in width there should be little waste. At corners, or at door or window frames, you may have to trim selected shingle slightly.