Method and apparatus for installing roofing shingles

A system for attaching shingles to a roof top-to-bottom in such a manner to allow each shingle to breathe after installation, comprising:

• a plurality of battens fastened to said roof in such a manner so as to be substantially parallel to each other;
• each of said battens having a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and a shingle mating area on said rear surface;
• said battens being secured to said roof by nails extending through said top surface to said roof;
• each of said battens having a batten hook in said shingle mating area;
• a plurality of shingles attached to said battens;
• each of said shingles having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a shingle hook on said bottom surface;
• said batten hook interlocking with said shingle hook in a snap-fit engagement to secure said shingles to said battens without nails.

A batten used for installing a shingle on a roof, said shingle having a mating prong on the bottom surface thereof, said roof having a lower edge and an upper edge, comprising:

• an elongated batten horizontally positioned on said roof between said lower edge and said upper edge of said roof;
• said batten having a forward surface closer to said upper edge of said roof than said lower edge, and a rear surface closer to said lower edge of said roof than said upper edge;
• and
• said rear surface of said batten having a female mating area integrally formed therewith, whereby said female mating area of said batten is adapted to receive said mating prong of said shingle and interlock therewith in a snap-fit.