Skills
Roofer Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in roofers, and how to build and show them.
What skills do roofers need?
Roofers need technical skills such as shingle and membrane installation, flashing and leak prevention, and fall protection setup, plus people skills like teamwork and work ethic. They also use tools such as Pneumatic roofing nailers and Roofing hatchets and utility knives.
Technical (hard) skills
- Shingle and membrane installation
- Flashing and leak prevention
- Fall protection setup
- Roof measurement in squares
- Tear-off and deck repair
- Power nailer and torch safety
People (soft) skills
- Teamwork
- Work ethic
- Comfort with heights
- Attention to detail
Tools, equipment and technology
- Pneumatic roofing nailers
- Roofing hatchets and utility knives
- Harnesses, lifelines and roof anchors
- Metal brakes and snips
- Heat welders and torches for membranes
- Ladders and material hoists
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how roofers put their skills to work:
- How to install architectural shingles
- How to set up personal fall arrest on a sloped roof
- How to flash around a chimney
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Shingle and membrane installation” and “Flashing and leak prevention.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “teamwork,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as OSHA 10-Hour Construction near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our roofer glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Roofer training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.