I have a dozen bundles of cdar shingles (blue label) to cover a new gazebo I built. Never worked with those before. All the web demos I've looked at show people working with shingles that are straight on the sides, right out of the bundle. Mine are all crooked--really crooked. Should I be ripping them straight before putting them down?

The shakes u have are called rough sawn. The ones u saw demo on were striated shakes or flat planned.

The ones u have are not designed to be straight. They will also need an under coarse to make a water seal.

The flat planned would be good for roof. The striated good for walls.

Chuck

Thanks, Chuck. With all the research I did, you are the first to mention the difference in types of shingles. My Gazebo roof is 80% done now, too late to change. (I know the yard where I bought these had only this type anyway). May have some leaks, but hey--it's an outdoor structure anyway.

If your overlap is 1/2 a shingle and the seams are off set by about 2'' you should have no problem.

Good luck

Chuck