How do you ridge cap architectural shingles?
Short answer. Use a manufacturer's hip and ridge cap shingle made to match your architectural shingles, not pieces cut from the shingles themselves. Install the caps over the ridge or ridge vent starting at the end opposite the prevailing wind, at the exposure and nail spots marked on the cap, using longer nails, typically 1 3/4 to 2 inches.
Why architectural shingles need special caps
Laminated shingles are two bonded layers, and folding them over a ridge cracks the asphalt and can separate the layers. Purpose-made caps are designed to bend, match the color and thickness of the field, and are what manufacturers specify for their enhanced warranties. Some are thick, high-profile caps that give the ridge a bold line; others are flatter caps that separate into pieces.
Installation steps
- Finish the field shingles up to the ridge on both sides, trimming so they meet without gaps.
- Ridge vent, if used: cut the slot in the deck per the vent maker's instructions, then install the vent.
- Snap a chalk line along one side of the ridge to keep caps straight.
- Hips first, working from the bottom of each hip up to the ridge.
- Ridge next, starting at the end opposite the prevailing wind so each lap faces away from it.
- Nail each cap at the marked spots, with nails long enough to go through the cap, the vent if present, and into the deck.
- Last piece: cut off the nailing portion, face nail it, and cover the nail heads with roofing sealant.
Tips
- In cool weather, keep caps warm so they bend without cracking.
- Where hips meet the ridge, the ridge caps lap over the top of the hip caps.
- Do not stretch the exposure to save pieces; it leaves nails uncovered.
See ridge vent vs box vents and architectural vs 3-tab shingles.