Q&A – Starting a ridge cap

Ridge cap shingles are a crucial part of the roofing process, but which direction should they be layered?

Eric from Iowa recently reached out to the AskARoofer experts for some advice about a roofing project they were working on. They asked:

Which way I should start my ridge cap south the north or north to south?

One of our resident roof experts, Henry Staggs from the Arizona Roofer anwered Eric's question, saying:

When installing ridge cap shingles, you should start at the end of the ridge that is opposite to the prevailing wind direction and work toward the direction the wind usually blows. In most parts of the U.S., the prevailing winds come from the west or northwest. This means you should typically start at the south end and work north to ensure the shingles overlap in the direction that resists wind lift.

If you’re in a coastal or hurricane-prone area like Florida, check local wind patterns, as storms can shift dominant wind directions. Always overlap each cap shingle correctly and use the recommended nails ,often 2 per cap, placed properly to prevent wind uplift.

About Henry Staggs

Henry has been in the roofing industry since the early 1980s, holding every tool and wearing every hat, from the ground clean to the owner of a multimillion-dollar a year roofing company. Henry's real-life experience in the roofing industry, his training in psychology in university, and his continuous education in roofing classes make him a unique consultant who understands that each project is different and that he has to adapt to the ebb and flow of things. He is passionate about building new roofers, improving roofing standards, and sharing his knowledge and expertise with others.

Continue the conversation in our Forum!