Installing the Top Roof
Once the shingling is complete, you can install the top roof. Ensure that it has been primed and that ceiling paper has been applied before installation. The roof must be completely dry before you begin. Installing the roof with the verge boards in place can be challenging, but it saves you from the difficulties of working in the attic and installing the dormers later. The minor struggle of fitting this roof now is insignificant compared to what you've avoided.
Dry fit the roof to identify any potential issues. Sand down any areas that interfere with the installation until it fits properly. Use a mallet to secure the roof slots into the support tabs, and fill in the top slots with spackle. I won't finish the roof just yet because I plan to create a rooftop garden.
After placing the top roof, I stained the shingles with a mixture of acrylic satin varnish and gray paint. I added a quarter-scale shingle strip at the top edge, painting it copper for a decorative touch. The tops of the dormers are painted copper to match the trim, while the bottoms are gray to blend with the shingles, making them barely noticeable.
Installing the mansard roof's corner edge trim can be tricky. You need to bend it slightly to match the slope of the mansard roof. For this reason, use hot melt glue for a strong hold that maintains the curve. Keep both trim pieces as close as possible, but you will still need to fill any gaps between them with spackle.
The attic still requires some trim work. The unfinished edges along the interior dormer openings bother me most. While I appreciate the architectural detail of sloped interior walls with exposed supports, I wish there were some trim for these openings. The slope makes it challenging to find a solution, but I plan to visit a craft store for ideas, possibly using fabric that can be painted. In the meantime, I will move on to installing the porch railing next.
