Replies

1. 
   mbdyer | Aug 27, 2005 01:26am | #1

   Are the shingles dimensional, I'm assuming so.  As such most manufacturers sell capping shingles for their dimensional lines.  In my opinion they overcharge for these but so it goes.  If the manufacturer has a line of 3 tab shingles, they usually have them in the same colors and so you can order up a few bundles of the three-tabbers to cut into ridge caps.  I worked mostly with Certainteed and GAF, only Elk a few times so I don't know what they do or don't have.  I roofed when cappers for dimensionals weren't readily available and have a few times cut cappers from the dimension shingles themselves.  I drew the taper lines with a kiel on the top shingle of a bundle and sawed them with a circular saw and beat up blade.  Quick but wear protection and be cognizant of any coworkers, the saw will fling stinging granules everywhere.  I wore goggles at least, sometimes long sleeves.  Eyeball the cut by looking between the motor housing and the blade housing, right at where the blade exits up through the shingle rather than from over top the saw as you'll get machine-gunned by granules.   If you can, cut first thing and lay the hips out in the sun spreadout to warm up.  Once warm you can usually bend them over your thigh or the ridge itself using slow steady pressure.  You'll have better results if the hip shingle doesn't have an applique tab in the center.  Makes for some waste but again, so it goes.

2. 
   JasonPharez | Aug 28, 2005 07:21am | #2

   Gene if you still need help w/ your roof, here goes:

   For some 30-year colors, Elk makes a color matched cap shingle that looks like a three-tab with perforations instead of cutouts. These things are expensive, too--BTW they're called "Seal-A-Ridge."

   For other colors (for example, Antique Slate), I find GAF 3-tabs usually match well.

   Jason Pharez Construction

      Framing & Exterior Remodeling