1
Rafter structure
Load-bearing timber structure with rafter spacing suited to fixing the deck.
Roof Coverings
Bitumen Shingle Roof Installation in Riga
Soft roof covering installation for homes with complex roof shapes - precise OSB decking, bitumen underlay, and careful shingle laying at every dormer, valley, and ridge line.
Who it's for
The Best Solution for Complex Roof Shapes
Bitumen shingles are the optimal covering exactly where rigid materials - metal, tile, or slate - become difficult to install. If a roof has multiple slopes, dormers, or irregular valleys, the small individual shingle elements let the covering follow every shape precisely without excessive waste or complicated sheet joints.
This covering is also a popular choice where the visual result matters - the texture and colour range of bitumen shingles can achieve a look close to natural wood shakes or slate, while keeping a simpler installation logic. If the roof shape is simple and largely flat, a more economical option may be asbestos-free slate or a metal covering.
Why choose it
A Flexible Covering for Complex Roof Shapes
Bitumen shingles combine adaptability, aesthetics, and comparatively easy repairability if part of the covering needs replacing.
Adapts to any shape
Small shingle elements cover dormers, valleys, and multiple slopes without excess joints.
Wide visual range
A range of colours and textures lets the covering match the building's architecture.
Quieter covering
Rain noise on a shingle surface is noticeably quieter than on a metal covering.
Localised repairs
A damaged area can be repaired locally without affecting the whole covering.
Scope of work
What's Included in Bitumen Shingle Installation
- Site assessment and evaluation of the roof shape, slopes, and detail points
- Building the OSB roof deck or full timber deck on the rafters
- Laying the bitumen underlay as an additional waterproofing layer
- Installing starter-strip shingles at the eaves and verge tape
- Laying shingles in rows with correct nail placement
- Ridge shingle installation and roof ventilation
- Sealing valleys and details around chimneys and roof windows
- Final quality inspection and site clean-up
Construction
The Bitumen Shingle Roof System's Layers
Unlike rigid coverings, shingles need a continuous solid deck - the system relies on several complementary layers.
2
Ventilation gap
Air circulation between the insulation and deck prevents condensation build-up.
3
OSB roof deck
A continuous solid base that carries the entire shingle covering.
4
Bitumen underlay
An additional waterproofing layer protecting the deck if damage occurs to the shingle covering.
5
Starter-strip shingles
Special eaves elements ensure correct water run-off at the roof edge.
6
Bitumen shingles
The visible covering, laid in overlapping rows with precise nail placement.
Details
Critical Details on Complex-Shaped Roofs
Precision matters most exactly at the valleys, ridge lines, and details - the points where a shingle roof is chosen for its ability to handle shape complexity.
Valley waterproofing
In roof valleys we add a waterproofing strip beneath the shingles to prevent water infiltration.
Ridge shingles
Individually shaped ridge elements give the covering a sealed, ventilated transition.
Nail placement
The correct number and position of nails on each shingle determines resistance to wind load.
Junctions at chimneys and windows
Sheet metal flashing and sealing around vertical structures prevents the most common leak points.
Shingle types
Triangular and Hexagonal Profiles
The most common profiles on the bitumen shingle market are triangular shingles with a straight lower edge and hexagonal or "beaver-tail" shingles with a more decorative, segmented lower edge. The shape choice is mainly a visual question - both variants use the same installation logic with OSB decking, bitumen underlay, and overlapping rows.
Layer count
Single-Layer and Laminated Shingles
Besides shape, shingles also differ in thickness and layer count - double-layer (laminated) shingles are heavier, more wind-resistant, and create a more pronounced texture on the roof surface, while single-layer shingles are a lighter, more economical option. We recommend the most suitable option after assessing the roof shape, pitch, and the building's local wind exposure.
Process
How Installation Happens
1
Site Visit
Assessing the roof shape, valleys, and the structure's readiness for the deck.
2
Quote & Material
Recommending shingle type and colour, preparing a detailed quote.
3
OSB Deck
Building a continuous OSB deck on the rafters with a ventilation gap.
4
Underlay & Eaves
Laying the bitumen underlay and starter-strip shingles.
5
Shingle Laying
Laying shingles in rows, finishing valleys and details.
6
Handover
Quality control, site clean-up, and warranty documents.
Quality control
What We Check Before Handover
After installation we check the deck's fixing, the underlay's continuity, shingle attachment and nail placement, as well as the water-tightness of all valleys and details. We pay particular attention to the ventilation system, since it directly affects the covering's lifespan.
Price & duration
What Affects Cost and Timeline
The cost of bitumen shingle installation is affected by roof area, shape complexity, the number of valleys, and the chosen shingle type. We prepare an exact quote after a free site visit - see indicative price ranges on our pricing page. More complex roof shapes usually take somewhat longer than simple rigid-sheet coverings, since each valley has to be treated individually.
Warranty & experience
A Written Warranty for Every Project
We apply a written work warranty to bitumen shingle installation, in addition to the material manufacturer's warranty. Terms are clearly stated in the quote - full details are described on our warranty page. We regularly complete complex-shaped roof solutions - see examples in our completed projects.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Shingles are small, flexible elements that can be laid around dormers, valleys, multiple slopes, and irregular shapes without excess cutting - unlike rigid sheet materials, which generate more waste and more joints on complex shapes.
Shingles need a solid base - usually OSB boards or a full timber deck - onto which the bitumen underlay is laid before the shingles are fixed.
Bitumen shingles allow a fairly shallow roof pitch, but there is a manufacturer-defined minimum below which extra waterproofing measures are needed. We assess this during the site visit.
Lifespan depends on the shingle type chosen and a correctly built ventilation system - quality shingles installed correctly last several decades.
Request a Free Site Assessment for Your Bitumen Shingle Roof
We'll come out, assess the roof shape and structure, and prepare a clear solution.
We'll be in touch within 5-10 minutes