How to Attach Roof Felt on a Shed

Figure your roof area, and calculate how much felt you will need for the job ., Clean the roof decking of any debris, protruding nails, or other objects or materials that will damage the roof felt. , Make sure the surface is dry., Replace any...

23 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Figure your roof area

    One roll of 15# (pound) felt has 432 square feet, but you must allow for overlaps on joints, In most cases this will leave 400sq ft net coverage.
  2. Step 2: and calculate how much felt you will need for the job .

    , Never apply roof felt over wet or damp decking, as this condition will cause the decking to warp or buckle, and possibly rot. ,, For hip type shed roofs, begin at the hip, allowing a foot or so of the felt to hang over the hip. ,,,, These should be spaced at about 12 inch (30.5 cm) centers along the bottom edge, and 30-36 centers along the top, since subsequent overlaps will be nailed through the top of the last layer applied.

    Be careful to drive nails flush and not penetrate the felt, or you will have a leak. , Most roof felt has guide lines stencilled on it to ensure you apply it in straight, parallel lines. ,,
  3. Step 3: Clean the roof decking of any debris

  4. Step 4: protruding nails

  5. Step 5: or other objects or materials that will damage the roof felt.

  6. Step 6: Make sure the surface is dry.

  7. Step 7: Replace any damaged or rotten material on the roof decking.

  8. Step 8: Begin at the bottom of the decking

  9. Step 9: on one end

  10. Step 10: and roll the felt length way

  11. Step 11: along the lower edge of your roof.

  12. Step 12: Allow the lower edge of the felt to overhand the eave about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (1.3 to 1.9 cm) so water will drip off without wetting the decking underneath.

  13. Step 13: Tack the end of the felt where you begin rolling it to hold it in place while the rest is unrolled.

  14. Step 14: Pull the felt tight from the opposite end

  15. Step 15: taking care not to rip it

  16. Step 16: but making sure it lies flat on the roof surface.

  17. Step 17: Nail the felt with simplex or plastic cap felting nails.

  18. Step 18: Cut the felt at the opposite end of your roof

  19. Step 19: and roll felt back in the opposite direction

  20. Step 20: allowing about 4 inches (10.2 cm) of overlap to the first layer.

  21. Step 21: Overlap the ridge of your roof about one foot

  22. Step 22: then apply the material in the same manner on the opposite side.

  23. Step 23: Cover all nail heads with a roofing mastic or tar if this is going to be more than a temporary waterproofing measure.

Detailed Guide

One roll of 15# (pound) felt has 432 square feet, but you must allow for overlaps on joints, In most cases this will leave 400sq ft net coverage.

, Never apply roof felt over wet or damp decking, as this condition will cause the decking to warp or buckle, and possibly rot. ,, For hip type shed roofs, begin at the hip, allowing a foot or so of the felt to hang over the hip. ,,,, These should be spaced at about 12 inch (30.5 cm) centers along the bottom edge, and 30-36 centers along the top, since subsequent overlaps will be nailed through the top of the last layer applied.

Be careful to drive nails flush and not penetrate the felt, or you will have a leak. , Most roof felt has guide lines stencilled on it to ensure you apply it in straight, parallel lines. ,,

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Amy Morgan

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