When it comes to protecting your shed from the elements, roofing felt is one of the most affordable and effective options. Whether you're building a new shed or replacing the roof on an existing one, felt roofing provides long-lasting, weatherproof protection. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to felt a pent shed roof with ease, ensuring your shed stays dry and secure for years to come.
You can read our blog post: How to Felt a Pent Shed Roof
Why Choose Felt for Your Pent Shed Roof?
Felt roofing offers several advantages that make it an excellent choice for your pent shed:
- Cost-Effective: Felt is an affordable roofing material, making it ideal for those on a budget or those with a small project.
- Waterproof: Felt provides an effective waterproof barrier, keeping your shed dry even during heavy rain or snow.
- Durable: When installed correctly, felt can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, depending on the quality and maintenance.
- Easy to Install: Felt roofing is relatively simple to apply and doesn’t require advanced skills, making it a great DIY project.
- Low Maintenance: Once installed, felt roofs are easy to maintain with occasional inspections and repairs.
Materials You’ll Need:
Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials:
- Roofing felt (bitumen or mineral felt)
- Roofing nails or tacks (20-30mm long)
- Roofing adhesive or cement (optional for extra security)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors or utility knife
- Hammer or roofing hammer
- Ladder (for higher roofs)
- Ridge cap felt (if your roof has a ridge)
- Protective gloves (to avoid injury while handling nails and sharp materials)
Step-by-Step Guide to Felt Your Pent Shed Roof:
Step 1: Prepare the Roof Surface
The first step is to prepare the roof. Remove any old roofing material, nails, or debris from the surface. Ensure the roof is clean and dry for the new felt to adhere properly. If the wood surface is rough or untreated, sanding it smooth can help with the installation.
Pro Tip: If you have a wooden roof, consider applying a primer to improve the adhesion of the felt.
Step 2: Measure and Cut the Felt
Measure the length and width of your shed roof and add about 5 cm (2 inches) around each side for the overhang. Roll out your roofing felt on the ground and cut it to size using a utility knife or scissors.
Pro Tip: If you’re using multiple pieces of felt, ensure each piece overlaps the previous one by about 5 cm (2 inches) to prevent leaks.
Step 3: Apply Adhesive (Optional)
Some roofing felts come with a self-adhesive backing, but you can also apply roofing adhesive or cement to the roof surface to help the felt stay in place. Spread the adhesive evenly over the roof, ensuring full coverage.
Pro Tip: If you're working in an area prone to high winds, using adhesive will give extra security to your roofing felt.
Step 4: Lay the Felt on the Roof
Starting at the bottom edge of the roof (the eaves), roll the felt upward toward the ridge. Leave a small overhang at the edge of the roof to help water run off. As you unroll the felt, smooth it out to prevent air pockets and wrinkles.
If your roof is large and requires multiple sheets, overlap the edges of each layer by 5 cm (2 inches). This overlap ensures that water will run off the roof without seeping between the sheets.
Pro Tip: Take your time to align the felt properly, ensuring it lays flat and straight across the roof for a neat finish.
Step 5: Secure the Felt
Once the felt is positioned, use roofing nails or tacks to secure it. Place nails around 3-4 inches apart along the edges, and also along the middle of the felt to keep it in place. Be careful not to push the nails too deep, as this can puncture the felt.
Pro Tip: A rubber mallet works well to tap the nails into place without damaging the roofing felt.
Step 6: Trim the Excess Felt
Once the felt is secured, trim any excess along the roof edges with a utility knife or scissors. Leave a small overhang to direct water away from the roof’s edges.
Pro Tip: A clean trim ensures the roof looks neat and prevents water from soaking into the sides of the shed.
Step 7: Install the Ridge Cap (If Applicable)
If your pent shed roof has a ridge, you’ll need to install a ridge cap. You can purchase a pre-made ridge cap felt, or simply fold a strip of roofing felt over the ridge and secure it with nails. This ensures the roof's peak is properly sealed and prevents water from seeping through.
Pro Tip: A ridge cap provides an extra layer of protection and ensures the top of the roof is completely waterproof.
Step 8: Final Inspection
After everything is nailed down and trimmed, step back and inspect your work. Check for any loose areas or gaps. If necessary, use roofing cement to patch any small holes or seams. If you find any areas where the felt isn’t fully secured, add more nails.
Pro Tip: Inspect the roof thoroughly to make sure there are no areas that could lead to leaks or damage down the road.
Maintaining Your Felt Roof
Felt roofing requires minimal maintenance, but it’s important to inspect the roof regularly, especially after heavy storms. Check for signs of wear, such as tears, cracks, or any areas where the felt has come loose. If you notice any damage, patch it as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration.
Pro Tip: Keep gutters and downpipes clear to prevent water from pooling on the roof, as standing water can cause damage over time.
Conclusion
Felt roofing is an excellent, budget-friendly way to protect your pent shed from the elements. It’s easy to install, low maintenance, and provides excellent waterproofing. By following this step-by-step guide, you can successfully install a felt roof that will keep your shed dry and secure for years to come.
