When wood shingling a roof, keeping a ready supply of shingles close at hand can be a problem. The simple shelf shown in the drawing can be secured to the roof by tucking the tapered tab under an already nailed course of shingles. In this way shingles can be kept conveniently close to the height at which you are working, instead of down by your feet on the staging. A bunch of these shelves can be made from rejected shingles and scraps of 1x6s or 1x8s. Cutting the top corners off the shingle part of the shelf makes it easy to slip it up under a course.
—Kendall Gifford, Putney, VT
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #19
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fall Protection
Flashing Boot
Roof Jacks
View Comments
Am I missing somtehing? Why doesn't this shelf just slide out as soon as you load it with shingles?
The load of shingles tends to rotate the 1x6 downhill and the inserted shingle upward, increasing the friction between the inserted shingle and the existing nailed shingles.