Roofing 101: How Are Shingles Installed?

Roof shingles can last 18 to 20 years in south Texas, protecting your home from outdoor elements. And when it’s time for a new roof installation by a professional team, like ours at Mammoth, the process can seem pretty simple.

Roofers don’t work quickly because the job is easy. They work fast because the longer a home has no solid roof the higher the risk is of internal damage and weather delays. Each home is different, so each project requires a custom workflow and safety measures. Below are some of the steps roofers train to follow when taught how to shingle a roof.

The Process

“To shingle” means “to lay out or arrange to overlap,” so it makes sense that roof shingles are installed using many different, overlapping layers to shed water downslope. When water collects in crevices, it can lead to rot. Once the old shingles are removed from the roof, various materials are laid on top of one another in a specific order to ensure all rain and ice melt run off the roof.

Preparing The Deck And Primary Layers

After removing the old shingles, the roof deck must be prepared and stabilized. This is done by replacing any rotted pieces with fresh wood, making sure the deck is smooth, dry and fastened to the roof trusses. For the new shingles to appear smooth and flat, the deck must also be clean, solid and flat.

The drip edge is the first material installed. It is placed to create a sharp edge on the roof and protect the lower edge of the deck by preventing water from wicking back up. Then, a self-sticking, ice and water protector is installed on the lower deck and over the drip edge. This adds an extra layer of water-shedding protection.

Secondary Layers

The roof underlayment is installed next. Whether the material is synthetic or asphalt-saturated felt, it is laid in horizontal rows over the entire deck, acting as backup protection underneath the shingles. Next, metal flashing is placed around attic vents, plumbing stacks, chimney stacks and any other joining or valleys in the roofing. These are the most common areas for roof leaks, and this corrosion-resistant metal provides an added layer of water-shedding material.

Laying Roof Shingles

Once all those invisible protective layers are set, it’s time to install the primary water-shedding layer — shingles! Beginning at the lower deck areas, starter shingles are nailed onto the edges of the deck and joints for wind resistance, followed by field shingles over the entire roof. Hip and ridge cap shingles are nailed down next in the peak areas of the roof, since field shingles cannot be bent. After all the shingles are installed, any exposed nail heads are covered and sealed with asphalt roof cement.

San Antonio Roof Installation

Shingle installation is a dangerous job best done by qualified professionals. Attempting a DIY roof replacement can save you money, but is incredibly dangerous and can lead to expensive repair costs. Pros are trained in roof construction safety, shingle installation and know the appropriate building codes to follow. Professional installation will also guarantee you have a beautiful, functional roof and protective warranties.

Mammoth has a team ready to help you decide whether you need to replace your roof, or if you would benefit more from our other roofing services. Our experienced team is dedicated to exceeding your expectations and becoming a trusted service provider. To learn more about our 50-Year-Guarantee, or our roof, home, and solar services, contact us today!

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Cover of The G.R.O.O.V.E. Playbook by Scott Edwards, CEO of Mammoth Roofing and Solar, promoting high-performing roofing sales reps — Grow With a Mammoth.

The G.R.O.O.V.E. Playbook: How Mammoth Builds High-Performing Reps

By Scott Edwards

This is not just a training manual—it’s a playbook for purpose-driven selling.

In Get in the GROOVE, Mammoth Roofing & Solar opens its doors to share the field-tested framework behind one of the most consistent appointment-setting systems in the industry. Built for new reps, seasoned closers, and even outside organizations looking to elevate their sales culture, this book breaks down the exact steps—from first knock to confident close—that turn conversations into trust, and trust into results.

Packed with real-world scripts, field breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes mindset philosophy, this book isn’t about hype—it’s about repeatable excellence.

Whether you’re joining our herd or leading your own, you’ll walk away with the structure, belief, and tools to build something that lasts.

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About The Author

Founder. Builder. No Plan B.

For ten years, Scott worked jobs that looked stable on the surface—finance, insurance, corporate roles—but always felt like they belonged to someone else’s vision. He wasn’t building anything of his own, and the day-to-day offered little more than repetition.

After a personal and financial low point—including a Chapter 7 bankruptcy—he found himself starting over with almost nothing. A friend gave him a shot in roofing sales. Two small jobs in, someone wrote his commission on a napkin at a diner table. The number was more than he’d made in weeks. That’s when he saw what this industry could offer—not just income, but real ownership over your success.

From there, everything changed.

Scott built this company to give others the same shot he got. He doesn’t look for perfect résumés—he looks for people with drive, character, and something to prove. His goal is simple: train in weeks what took him a decade to learn, and create a path to success that’s real, not theoretical.

Today, he leads one of the fastest-growing roofing and solar teams in Texas—but he’s still walking jobs, coaching reps, and checking in with homeowners. Because no matter how big the company gets, the mission stays the same: do the job right, take care of your people, and never forget where you started.