Aligning Shingle Courses

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To find the number of shingle courses between the top and the bottom of a window: 1) Measure the window height plus the trim. Divide this number by the average shingle exposure. If the resulting number is a fraction, choose the nearest whole number. 2) Hold a tape measure at the corner where the head trim will be, and pull it out to an even multiple. To find the course lines, mark off the even multiples.

To find the number of shingle courses between the top and the bottom of a window: 1) Measure the window height plus the trim. Divide this number by the average shingle exposure. If the resulting number is a fraction, choose the nearest whole number. 2) Hold a tape measure at the corner where the head trim will be, and pull it out to an even multiple. To find the course lines, mark off the even multiples.

To determine the number of courses, divide the height of the wall into equal parts whose length is not greater than the weather exposure for the shake or shingle. Wherever possible, align shingle butt lines with the tops or bottoms of windows or other openings. This may require adjusting a few courses by a fraction of an inch.

For more on installing shingle siding, visit the JLC Field Guide

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