Last Updated on October, 2024
Has your garden shed roof been leaking? You might be tempted to replace your old shed roof with a new one, but don’t act so fast. You can give your shed a brand new makeover by applying felt.
In this blog post, we will break down the whole process of felting a shed roof in 5 simple steps, fill you in on the basic tools you need to felt a shed roof, explain why it is important, and so much more!
Keep reading to find out.
Quick Summary
- Longevity of roofing materials is a key factor to consider when choosing a new roof or renovating an existing one.
- Different roofing materials have varying lifespans, with slate and clay roofs lasting the longest and asphalt roofs lasting the shortest.
- Factors that affect a roof’s longevity include climate, proper installation and maintenance, and the type of roofing material chosen. It is important to consider these factors when deciding which type of roofing is best for a specific home.
How to Felt a Shed Roof? A Step-By-Step Guide
It is crucial to pick a rain-free day to felt a shed roof. Ensure the day is dry and sunny before you attempt to do this.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to felt your pent shed roof.
Step 1: Take Off the Fascia Boards and the Existing Felt Layer
Using a claw hammer, cautiously detach the old fascia boards and inspect their condition.Set them aside for potential reuse if they’re still in good shape. If they are not, substitute them with new ones.
If you’re reapplying felt to your shed roof, you’ll need to take off the old felt before applying a new layer to the roof surface. Remove the old felt layer and the old nails securing it, using your hammer. This is also an excellent chance to flatten uneven boards with your hammer.
However, you can skip this step if you’re constructing a new shed.
Step 2: Measure and Trim the Roofing Felt
Start by measuring and cutting your roof felt to fit. A common approach involves placing two pieces of roofing felt on each side of the shed, with a third piece spanning the roof’s peak to overlap the others.
Two pieces of roof felt might suffice for smaller sheds. Ensure the overlap allows water to flow over the joint.
When cutting the roof felt, be sure to take the following measurements:
- 50mm of overhang on the longer eaves side of the roof.
- 75mm of overhang on the gable end of your shed.
Take your time measuring these accurately, then lay out the roof felt and cut it with a sharp knife. If you’re using a ladder, ensure it’s on a stable, flat surface and follow ladder safety guidelines.
Alternatively, if it’s more convenient, you can lay the felt on the roof and mark it directly for cutting.
Step 3: Install Felt
Position the two pieces of roof felt on each side of the roof, ensuring they maintain the correct overhang at the edge of the roof. Ensure the laying felt is flat, and use clout nails to secure it. Along the top edge of the felt, nail it down at intervals of 100mm.
At the bottom edge, space the nail heads approximately 300mm apart to secure the underlay felt. You can also apply felt adhesive to ensure an even stronger bond.
Next, place the shed felt piece over the roof’s area at the peak and affix it with clout nails. Add nails where the felt pieces overlap to create a secure bond.
Step 4: Attach the Roof Felt At the Gable End
Now that your layer of felt is securely in place proceed to secure it at the gable end. Start by cutting the shed felt at the midpoint of the gable end, and using a craft knife, fold it neatly. Use clout nails and adhesive to fasten the felt to the gable end at 100mm intervals.
After securing the shed felt, overlay it with the fascia boards. Position the boards over the shed felt and use wood nails and adhesive to fix them into place. Trim any felt overhang for a tidy finish.
Step 5: Secure At the Eaves
Depending on your shed’s design, you have two options:
With Fascia Boards: If your shed roof has fascia boards on the side panels, secure them using the same method as the gable end. Use nails to attach the felt to the fascia board at regular intervals and apply adhesive.
Without Fascia Boards: If your shed roof lacks fascia boards, wrap the felt underneath the roof edge, use nails to secure it in place, and apply adhesive sparingly. Ensure the felt is snug and securely fastened along the eaves for optimal protection against harsh weather elements.
If you’re looking to hire a professional to felt your shed roof or your house roof, contact our Felt roofing service.
Tools You Will Need
Here are the tools and roofing materials you will need to felt a shed roof:
- A clawhammer (helps to remove old nails from old felt)
- Step ladder or scaffold tower
- A level, that can also be used as a straight-edge
- Craft knife or any kind of hooked blade.
- A tape measure
- A chalk line (used to create straight lines on the shed roof surface)
- Galvanised clout nails
- Timber Fascia Boards
- Shed roof felt
- Felt adhesive or sealant
- Safety equipment – thick gloves, safety glasses or goggles, a hard hat and a dust mask
Preparing to Felt a Shed Roof
Before you start laying on the shed roof felting, it’s essential to prepare well. First, check the condition of the entire roof to make sure it’s in good shape without a damaged area that could affect the felting. Shed roof felt replacement means changing all of the felt.
Then, gather all the tools and materials you’ll need for the job. By checking the roof and getting everything ready before you start, you can set the stage for a successful felting project.
Good preparation ensures the felt sticks well to the roof, protecting your shed from harsh weather conditions.
What Felt to Use for a Shed Roof ?
Quality is crucial when it comes to shed felt. Choose a trusted brand because a cheap, low-quality option could cost you more over time as they use lower-grade materials.
Low-quality felts are typically lighter per metre, indicating they are thinner compared to good-quality shed felt. This results in a shorter lifespan. Here are our top picks for shed felts:
Waterproof: Standard Green Material shed felt is waterproof, which makes it a common choice for typical flat roof sheds. If waterproofing is your main concern, this could be a suitable option. However, remember that it typically needs replacement in about five years.
Long-lasting: For those who want to avoid the expense and effort of replacing shed felt every five years, or for those living in climates that demand a more durable solution, consider opting for a polyester-based felt. A polyester-felt roof can last up to 15 years against typical weather conditions in the UK.
Durability: Heavy-duty shed felt, sometimes known as Trade Top Sheet or Garage Felt, is known for its durability and strength. This product is suitable for a garden shed roof, even though its original purpose was for flat roof installations with two layers.
The manufacturing process of heavy-duty shed felt is similar to standard felt, which involves soaking a compressed cloth fibre or matter card base in bitumen adhesive.
The critical difference lies in using twice the amount of roofing material– twice the fibre and bitumen– which results in a product that is double the thickness of standard shed felt. This thicker felt is also coarser in texture and significantly heavier than standard felt.
Safety Precautions to Take When Felting a Shed Roof
When felting a shed roof, it’s essential to prioritise safety to avoid accidents and ensure a successful project. Here are key safety precautions to take:
- Use Proper Equipment: Ensure you have the right tools and equipment for the job, including ladders, safety harnesses (if necessary), gloves, and protective eyewear.
- Check Weather Conditions: Avoid the felt roof job on a wet or windy day, as this can make the entire area of the roof slippery and increase the risk of falls. Choose a calm, dry day to carry out the felting.
- Inspect The Roof Structure: Before starting, carefully inspect the shed roof’s structure, including the side of the roof, for any weak spots or damage. Repair any issues to ensure a stable working surface.
- Work With A Partner: If possible, have someone assist you during the project. They can provide support, hand you materials, and assist in case of emergencies.
By following these safety precautions, you can minimise risks and ensure a smooth and safe shed roof felting project. If you don’t feel confident in undertaking this yourself, don’t hesitate to consult a professional to do it for you.
Why Felting a Shed Roof is Important?
Shed felt is a crucial component of your garden shed, made from a compressed cloth fibre base and bitumen. The bitumen is what provides waterproofing to your felt roof.
Given the frequent rainfall and heavy winter snow in the UK, properly waterproofing your shed is vital. Simply adding a second layer over the first layer of old felt with glue, or disregarding nailing and relying solely on adhesive won’t suffice.
To install shed felt effectively, remove all old felt, address any roof timber issues, and then secure the new felt using nails and appropriate adhesive where necessary.
Don’t worry about nail holes compromising waterproofing–using a moderate number of nails holding the felt roof down allows the bitumen to seal around them.
It’s advisable not to use too much adhesive to allow for the bitumen to expand and contract with temperature changes, preventing tearing or cracking.
How to Repair Shed Roof Felt?
If a small section of your roof felt becomes damaged, you can repair it without replacing the entire felt. It’s a good practice to save any leftover old felt from previous installations for such situations.
Start by inspecting the entire roof to ensure the rest of the felt is in good condition. Clean the area around the damaged section thoroughly to remove dirt, grit, and debris. Cut a strip of felt that will cover the damaged area.
Cut a square or rectangular strip of felt extending about 5cm beyond all sides of the damaged section. You don’t necessarily need to use nails to secure the felt. Instead, apply adhesive around the damaged section and press the felt strip firmly into place over it.
This approach allows you to patch up specific areas of damage without replacing the whole roof felt. By keeping extra old felt on hand and addressing minor issues promptly, you can prolong the lifespan of your roof.
Tips for Replacing Shed Roof Felt
To achieve a well-installed felted roof that will withstand weather and provide reliable protection for years to come, follow these practical tips and practices:
Roof Preparation: Thoroughly clean and prepare the roof surface to ensure it’s smooth and even. This step creates a solid foundation for the felt installation.
Proper Overlapping and Sealing: When laying down the felt, ensure each layer overlaps the previous one by at least 2 inches to create a tight seal. Use adhesive or sealant along the edges and overlaps to prevent water infiltration underneath the felt.
Safety Measures: Prioritise safety during the installation process. Wear the appropriate safety glasses to protect against sharp objects and adhesives. Work on a stable, secure surface and avoid adverse weather conditions to prevent accidents.
Secure Installation: Use roofing nails to fasten the felt to the roof securely. Properly securing the felting prevents it from lifting or shifting during harsh weather.
Precise Trimming: Trim the edges of the felt with a sharp utility knife for a neat and professional finish. Precise trimming reduces the risk of damage caused by loose or frayed edges.
Quality Materials: Invest in high-quality felt and underlay or base layer. Quality materials offer better durability and weather resistance, ensuring prolonged protection for your shed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Replacing Roof Felt
Avoid costly mistakes and ensure a successful felting project by learning from common errors:
Inadequate Roof Preparation: One major blunder is not adequately preparing the roof surface. Neglecting to clean, repair, and smooth the surface can lead to poor adhesion and potential leaks.
Incorrect Choice of Felting Materials: Using the wrong type of felting material for your shed can result in insufficient waterproofing. Select the appropriate felting material based on your shed’s size, location, and climate to ensure optimal protection.
Neglecting Overlapping and Sealing: Failing to overlap and seal the felting properly can lead to vulnerable gaps in the roof, allowing water to seep through. Pay close attention to ensure all edges are adequately overlapped and sealed to create a watertight barrier.
Maintaining Your Roof Felt
Maintaining the longevity of your roof felt requires regular inspections and proactive care. Schedule routine checks to inspect the felt surface for wear and tear or damage. Promptly address any issues, patching repairs or resealing exposed edges and overlaps.
By remaining vigilant and consistently maintaining your shed roof, you can prolong its lifespan and protect its overall integrity. Regular upkeep is essential to ensure optimal protection and durability over time.
Useful guides:
FAQs
Conclusion
Now that you are educated on everything you need to know about felting your shed roof, you can be sure that you’ll have a felted shed roof that will last you for years to come.
Follow the steps we’ve provided, and if you think this project is too much for you to handle by yourself, don’t hesitate to contact a professional for advice and help.
