When installing shingles on your roof, you’ll inevitably need to cut them to specific shapes or sizes. This might involve straightforward straight cuts to align with the roof’s edge or more intricate cuts for complex roof designs.
No matter the type of cut required, various tools and techniques can be employed to achieve the desired result. If you’re new to cutting shingles, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Read also: How to Cut Metal Roofing on Your Own
How to Cut Shingles
While many methods exist for cutting shingles, the most precise approach involves using a utility blade. I have found that opting for a high-quality utility knife with a hook blade is ideal for detailed cuts.
As stated, “Using a sharp utility knife with a hook blade ensures a clean and precise cut, reducing errors during installation.”
Additionally, in my experience, having a straight-edge guide handy can significantly improve accuracy, allowing for straighter cuts and less material waste.
From my years of experience working on various roofing projects, I recommend gathering all necessary tools, including a straight-edge guide, before you start.
“Ensuring that you have the right tools, like shingle scissors or a sharp utility knife, can make a significant difference in the quality of your work,” as roofing experts mentioned.
It’s vital to maintain precision when working on a roof, particularly when working on complex roof sections or fitting shingles around obstacles like vents and pipes.
Below is the step-by-step on cutting shingles with a utility knife:
- Turn the shingle upside down by putting the side you want to cut. In this step, you only need to flip the shingle from right to left or flip it upside down.
- Line up the point of the edge you want to cut and the side you intend not to trim. Now, cut the end of the shingle that presses against the other point of the shingle.
- Feel free to use tape or square measurements to give a mark. This may be required to provide a little mark according to where you plan the cut to finish.
- Put the side of the shingle you have to the edge.
- The end of the shingle should now be in line. If you want to, you can cut more. But please take your time to decide how you want to cut your shingles before you start cutting the edge. This is just another method of how to cut roof shingles. However, different types of shingles may also require different techniques and tools.
Read also: How to Cut Tin Roofing with Three Best Methods
How to Cut Architectural Shingles for Ridge Cap
Architectural shingles are asphalt shingles with a base much heavier than regular ones. You do not need to call a professional to cut and install architectural shingles for the ridge cap.
Here is how to cut shingles :
- Line up the architectural shingles over the previous shingles.
- Lay a row of shingles by placing the bottom left corner of the shingles first. This line should extend about half an inch on top of the eaves. As you go along, pin down the shingles with nails and a hammer. Lay another row of shingles right over the first row.
- Cut around 6 inches from the initial shingle in the left corner with a utility knife when placing the other shingles for the upper section. Lay a new shingle next to it.
- Continue placing the shingles and nailing them down in the same manner. Trim off 6 inches more from the previous row of shingles. This ensures the earlier shingles won’t align with the current ones in a new row.
Read also: Can You Put a Metal Roof Over Shingles?
Cutting Shingles with Circular Saw
Cutting shingles with a circular saw can be efficient, especially when trimming the edges of several shingles at once. As a professional, I always use a fine-toothed blade designed for cutting old nails, which maintains its edge longer when cutting through the rigid material of shingles.
“Using a circular saw with the correct blade not only speeds up the process but also ensures the durability of the tool,” making it a recommended approach for larger roofing projects.
For example, when you downsize all the sections around the roof’s edge.
| Tool | Use | Expert Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Utility Knife | Precision cuts on single shingles | Use a hook blade for cleaner cuts |
| Circular Saw | Cutting multiple shingles simultaneously | Use a fine-toothed blade to prevent rapid dulling |
| Tin Snips | Complex, curved cuts around obstacles | Ideal for detailed work on small areas |
| Shingle Scissors | Quick and precise cutting | Invest in high-quality scissors for comfort and precision |
You will have to use a circular saw with strong teeth like the one specifically made for cutting old nails, or it will wear down even before you finish cutting through the stack of shingles. Consider using a pencil line to mark the position you intend to cut. Then, use the circular saw to cut the shingle, as you usually would cut a stack of shingles at once.
Work quickly, as the saw will get too hot while cutting through the shingles, melting the surface and making it useless. In addition to a circular saw, you can also use tin ships and very sharp scissors to cut metal.
