GAF Timberline HD shingles are a favorite here at NuHome. They’re long-lasting, they look beautiful, and they create a truly striking “shadowing” effect that makes your roof stand out. This is the sort of roof that turns heads, or even draws in more visitors if you’re thinking about selling.
When properly installed, they’ll give you a long life and great looks – so here are some tips for making sure they are properly installed!
Four Critical Tips for Installing Your GAF Timberline HD Shingles
1. Always go across the roof, not up and down
It doesn’t matter if you go left-to-right or right-to-left, but you should install your shingles across the roof. Going straight up and down is called “racking,” and it is not recommended at all. Racking will cause color variations to be more noticeable, and also makes it easier for shingles to be lost to wind or weather. Plus, racking requires bending the shingles, which may damage them or even break them – increasing material costs.
(And if you ever spot a contractor who installs shingles by racking, you probably want to go to another company.)
2. Keep nails above the tab cutouts
The tab cutouts are one of the features which make GAF Timberline HD shingles so unique, and you don’t want to damage them. Be sure to nail down the shingle above those tabs. GAF recommends 4-6 nails per shingle, and we suggest being liberal here. Nails are cheap, and you want your shingles to stay securely in place.
3. Use the tab cutouts as guidelines
When installing these shingles, you can use the tab cutouts to help guide placement. You want the pattern to alternate as you go upwards, cutout/flat/cutout/flat. So, when installing each successively higher course, just line up the flat area with the cutout which will be beneath it. This is how you ensure your roof gets the proper textured look that Timberline HD shingles provide.
4. Use a chalk line to ensure a clean cut down the edges
Don’t try to freehand it when you’re cutting the shingles along the edges of your roof. A string-based chalk line will allow you to guarantee a smooth straight cut from top to bottom, creating the best look for your roofing.
Since 1998, NuHome has provided top-quality roofing, siding, windows and doors across Maryland, Virginia, and DC. For help creating a great roof, just contact us!
