How to Install a Budget-Friendly Dollhouse Roof with Hobby Lobby Asphalt Shingles

How to Install a Budget-Friendly Dollhouse Roof with Hobby Lobby Asphalt Shingles

Hello, fellow miniature enthusiasts! If you’re remodeling a dollhouse and looking for an affordable way to install a roof, I’ve got a great tutorial for you today. We’ll be using asphalt shingle strips from Hobby Lobby—an inexpensive, easy-to-use option that looks fantastic once installed. These shingle strips are actually made from 80-grit sandpaper and are perfect for achieving that classic asphalt roof look on your dollhouse.

Let’s dive in!

Materials Needed:

  • Asphalt Shingle Strips: Available at Hobby Lobby for $8.49 per pack (each pack covers 154 sq inches and includes 12 strips).
  • Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: Any fast-setting adhesive will work, but I’m using hot glue for this project.
  • Scissors or X-Acto Knife: To cut the shingles to fit.
  • Pencil: For marking measurements.

Step 1: Prepare Your Shingles

Before getting started, it’s important to note that these shingles come with an adhesive backing, but I don’t find it to be sticky enough to hold properly on its own. That’s why I recommend using an extra adhesive like hot glue. While I don’t typically reach for hot glue in most of my dollhouse projects, it’s perfect for this specific application because it sets quickly.

Step 2: Installing the Shingles

The process of installing your dollhouse shingles is straightforward. You’ll need to work from the bottom up, overlapping each strip to create a realistic asphalt look.

  1. Start at the Bottom: Remove the backing from your first strip, apply a line of hot glue across the top, and press it firmly into place so the bottom edge slightly overhangs the roof.

  2. Check Alignment: If you’re a perfectionist like me, you may want to periodically check your alignment using a level or measuring tape. I want my lines to be straight, so I keep a close eye on this as I work.

  3. Continue Layering: The key to getting that realistic shingle effect is overlapping each strip. After your first row is in place, overlap the next row just enough to cover the top of the previous one.

  4. Trim After Installation: Personally, I prefer trimming the shingles after they’re installed. This allows me to ensure everything looks perfectly straight. You can trim before or after—whichever method you find easiest!

Step 3: Tackling Unique Roof Shapes

If you’re working with a more complex roof shape, like the Colonial dollhouse I’m remodeling, I’ll show you how I handled some tricky areas.

  • Flat Roofs: My Colonial has a flat roof on top, so I needed to bend the strips around the edges. I left the back edge unglued while I worked on the bottom layer of shingles, then went back with my glue gun to secure them, two shingles at a time.

  • Dormer Windows: For dormer windows and roof peaks, I cut regular 80-grit sandpaper into 1.5-inch-wide strips and glued them to the top. You can match the sandpaper color to your shingles, or paint it like I did for a seamless look.

Step 4: Painting for a Perfect Finish

While you can leave the shingles as they are, I decided to paint mine for a more polished look. I used Dixie Belle’s Silk Paint in Anchor, which gave my shingles a bold matte black finish. This paint is excellent for achieving that classic asphalt shingle appearance.

Step 5: Final Touches

After two coats of paint, I trimmed around the window openings and roof edges to complete the look. For finishing the peaks, I glued strips of sandpaper and painted them to match the shingles. This method works just as well for roofs with peaks, not just flat roofs like mine.

Budget Breakdown

In total, I used four packs of asphalt shingles and one sheet of regular 80-grit sandpaper to cover my large Colonial dollhouse roof. The entire project cost me around $40, making this a very budget-friendly option for anyone looking to give their dollhouse a beautiful, professional-looking roof.

Final Thoughts

I am thrilled with how the roof turned out. It’s bold, modern, and cost-effective! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced miniature enthusiast, this method is a great way to achieve that classic asphalt look without breaking the bank.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this tutorial helpful! If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to leave a comment below.


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