How to cut ridge caps from asphalt shingles

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When you are planning to install a new roof, it is easy to forget ridge cap shingles, which create a beautiful finishing touch. If you don't want to spend extra money on specially formed ridge shingles, you can cut ridge caps from asphalt shingles. The process is easy and allows you to use extra shingles from a roofing job.

A ridge cap is an important part of a durable, leak-proof roof. If you do not install ridge caps, your roof may not reach its life expectancy. Whether you are using easy-install asphalt roofing shingles or 3-tab shingles, you can use the leftover residential roofing material to create your own ridge caps. In doing so, you can save money on the overall roofing estimate. Although your handmade roofing caps may not be covered under the original roofing warranty, they will improve the stability of the roof.

Ridge cap shingles are designed to cover the cap between two roof surfaces where the shingles do not always touch. When you are cutting your own ridge caps, it is important to measure the gap between your shingled areas. The ridge caps should be wide enough to span the gap and extend on either side to prevent water from getting in. When it comes to ridge cap length, you will need to consider the length of each ridge and the amount of overlap you want between each shingle. For maximum protection, the overlap amount should be the same as the exposed amount. To make the most of your investment and to avoid higher asphalt shingle prices, ensure that you have enough shingles for the job.

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Once you have calculated the correct width and length for your ridge caps, you can mark them off on the existing shingles. If you are using 3-tab shingles, cut them at each tab to create three rectangular pieces. If you are using a different kind of shingle, cut each one to obtain the correct width. The length of each piece should be double your desired exposed width.

Mark the halfway point on the lengthwise side of each shingle. Using a compass, mark a 30-degree angle from the halfway point to one edge and complete the line. Repeat the process on the other side and cut off the triangles you marked. The resulting shape will look like a trapezoid on top of a rectangle. When you go to staple your shingles to the roof, the trapezoidal half of the ridge cap will be hidden under by the rectangular part of the next ridge cap.

Even if you are not a roofing professional, ridge cap creation and installation are easy tasks. By using your extra shingles to create ridge caps, you can save money, make the most of your materials and create a matching ridgeline. Before you cut ridge caps from your existing asphalt shingles, be sure to visit Reply! to find helpful hints and read customer reviews about your specific roof type.

For those of you who are a bit leery of using leftover materials or who would prefer to have machine-cut roof cap shingles, every company sells them for each type of shingle that they make.

The advantage to cutting and making your own is a significant cost savings by not needing to purchase shingles that only work in one spot on your roof.

The upside to purchasing ridge caps is that often they are thicker and more durable than the roof shingles themselves. They are also designed to seal properly. A final very important reason for considering purchasing factory-made ridge caps is that they will be under warranty from the manufacturer, which is not likely to be the case for ones that you make yourself.

Either way, ridge caps are important for protecting the integrity of your roof and for being aesthetically pleasing.