Hello Mark,
I am in the midst of finishing my roof, I used 8 x 4 x 18mm WBP ply for the roof (the minimum required by the manufacturers, by the way) All the recommendations both by the manufacturers and by my Trada Timber frame construction book say to leave a 3mm gap round each board. I used the ring shank nails as they were close. It's all about seasonal expansion and contraction. You will rarely see this adhered to anywhere, and by anyone. Knowing my luck they would have buckled and heaved and popped the shingles off, or ended up looking terrible. There is no need to seal the gaps, as the WBP and then the shingles will keep out the weather....unless you make a dog's breakfast of it...which is unlikely.
As to how to get the sheets up on the roof; if two old farts like us can do it with ease, a 'youngster' like you will have no problem :smile:
To see how, look at 'Workshop build, with a difference' in Projects, and wade through it.
As to the rake edge and drip edge; although mentioned in the shingle manufacturers website (IKO in my case) they are not available in the UK........brilliant, nowt like service. If you again, wade through my build, we came up with another way of doing the drip edge, but, we are having a fully ventilated roof...ie. continuous ridge vent as well. This is always recommended for shingle roofs as it reduces the temperature build up in the summer and prolongs the life of the shingles. I don't know if you have given any thought to this yet? The rake edge is going to have the bargeboard slightly higher than the shingles, as the wind blasts the gable end of the workshop. I may also fit a plastic angle piece over the shingles and down under the bargeboard as well.
Have you decided what length nails to use yet? The question is, should they penetrate the roof board, or not? Again, the manufacturer recommend 30mm nails - so they expect them to pierce the board. Once again, many people disagree with this, but this is what the Americans do, and they have far more experience than any Brit. Shingles here, are for sheds, try asking a builder to shingle your house roof and watch the look on his face :shock:
The only option that we had for the drip edge and rake would have been to buy rolls of lead, or sheets of zinc and DIY. The cost would have been astronomical, so we didn't.
I'm sure that Boss will be along to advise you soon anyway, but I thought that you might find another take on things 'interesting'.
It seemed to me, that earlier on, you were reeling under the onslaught of almost too much information, so I kept quiet, as it would have added to the angst. There is nothing worse that having too much information, when one is a little unsure. But it is nice that everyone cares enough to bother with us amateurs. It's what I love about this site - one couldn't ask for more
If you feel the need, send me a PM, and I will do my best to help. We aren't experts, but we are both very practical minded.
Regards.....****.