Shed Roof Felt: A Complete DIY Guide

Shed roof felt is a critical component in protecting your shed from the elements. It's a waterproof layer that prevents water from seeping into the roof and causing damage.

To choose the right felt, consider the size and shape of your shed roof. A standard roll of felt is typically 1.2m wide and 10m long.

Before applying the felt, make sure the roof is free from debris and old adhesive. This ensures a clean surface for the new felt to adhere to.

A good quality shed roof felt can last for up to 20 years, depending on the type and quality of the material.

Before you start felt-ing your shed roof, it's essential to get prepared. A dry day with little wind and temperatures above 41°F (5°C) is ideal. This will ensure the felt adheres securely to the roof.

To begin, grab your felt and roll it out at least 30 minutes before you need to use it. This will help to flatten it. Avoid laying it out over your lawn, as this can cause the turf beneath to turn temporarily yellow.

You'll also need to gather all the necessary tools and materials. A hammer, step ladder or scaffold tower, and a level are must-haves. Don't forget to pick up some felt adhesive or sealant, as well as safety equipment like gloves and safety glasses.

Here's a list of the tools and materials you'll need:

By carefully evaluating the roof condition and gathering the right tools and materials, you can lay the groundwork for a successful and long-lasting shed roof felting project.

Installing your shed roof felt is a relatively straightforward process that can be completed with a few basic tools and some patience.

First, you'll want to clean and prepare the roof, ensuring it's free from debris and old felting material. Remove any dirt, nails, or other obstacles to create a smooth surface.

To ensure a watertight seal, it's essential to use an underlay or base layer when installing shed roof felt. This provides an additional protective barrier between the roof surface and the felt, enhancing its waterproofing capabilities and increasing its durability.

When cutting the roofing felt, make sure to cut it about 10cm longer than the length of the shed. This will give you enough material to work with and ensure a secure fit.

Here are the steps to follow for installing your shed roof felt:

Remember to take your time and be careful when handling the felt and tools to ensure a successful installation.

Measuring and cutting are crucial steps in the process of applying shed roof felt. To ensure a proper fit, measure the shed roof and add an extra 10cm allowance for overlaps at the gable ends and eaves.

For apex sheds, you'll need three pieces of felt: one for each side of the roof and a third that covers the join of the other two pieces. This third piece should overlap the two sides panels by 30cm on each side and run along the length of the roof.

When cutting the felt, use a sharp knife and a sound and stable surface to get a clean edge. Cut each piece so that it covers the entire area of one side of the shed, with a little extra on each edge (around 2" or 5cm) to allow for overlaps.

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Measuring is a crucial step in any DIY project, and felting a shed roof is no exception. You'll want to measure the entire roof area, leaving an extra 10cm allowance for overlaps at the gable ends and eaves.

To ensure you get the right size, measure the length and width of each side of your shed's roof. For apex sheds, you'll need three pieces of felt: one for each side of the roof and a third that will cover the join of the other two pieces.

Aim to cut each piece of felt so that it covers the entire area of one side of the shed, with a little extra on each edge (around 2" or 5cm) to allow for overlaps at the eaves and at the gable ends (approximately 3" or 7.5cm).

Here's a quick reference guide to help you get the measurements right:

Remember to cut each piece on a sound and stable surface, using a straight piece of timber or a chalk line and steel ruler to get a clean edge.

Cutting and preparing the top section of felt is a crucial step in the felting process. You'll need to cut the final piece so it's large enough to cover the ridge and overlap around 12" or 30cm of the side felt panels on each side.

To do this, add an extra 3" or 7.5cm to each end so that it slightly overhangs the shed's gables. Brush felt adhesive over the back, then push it down into position.

You'll need to nail down the lower edges at 2" or 5cm intervals to secure it. This will ensure a watertight seal and prevent any leaks.

Here's a quick summary of the steps to apply the top section of felt:

Securing the roof is a crucial step in ensuring your shed stays dry and secure. Make sure your felt overlaps the shed roof on either side and along the bottom.

To secure the felt, roll the first large piece over one side of the roof, allowing excess to overhang, and pull it tight so it lies flat and straight. Use galvanized steel clout nails at 4" or 10cm intervals to fix the top edge just below the apex of the shed's roof.

Secure the felt along the bottom edge of the roof too, spacing the nails around 12" or 30cm apart.

Securing the felt is a crucial step in covering your shed's roof. Make sure it overlaps the shed roof on either side and along the bottom for a watertight seal.

You'll need to roll the first large piece of felt over one side of the roof, allowing the excess to overhang. It's essential to pull the felt tight so that it lies flat and straight.

Fix the top edge of the felt just below the apex of the shed's roof, using galvanized steel clout nails at 4" or 10cm intervals. This will provide a secure base for the rest of the felt.

Secure the felt along the bottom edge of the roof too, spacing the clout nails around 12" or 30cm apart. This will prevent the felt from shifting or coming loose over time.

To tidy up the overhanging felt, make a slit in the felt's overhang at the apex using a knife. This will allow you to fold it neatly and secure it in place.

Secure the corners of the felt by nailing them into place, then work along the gables, adding nails at 4" or 10cm intervals. This will ensure the felt is tightly secured and won't come loose in the wind.

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You might be tempted to skip the hammering and nails by using adhesive to secure felt to your shed's roof.

Using adhesive on the whole piece of felt is not recommended, as it can cause the felt to crack or tear.

The team at Buildworld.co.uk advise using adhesive only on certain areas of shed felt, as this allows for some give when the felt expands in heat and contracts in the cold.

This is because timber and shed felt expand and contract at different rates, and direct adhesion can lead to the felt cracking or tearing.

If you try to glue the whole piece of felt to the roof, the adhesive won't allow the timber any give, which can result in the felt cracking or tearing.

Securing the corners of your shed roof felt is a crucial step, so make sure to reattach the fascia boards by nailing them back in place.

Excess shed felt can be trimmed with a knife to make your shed look neat and tidy.

Regular inspections are key to ensuring the longevity of your shed roof felt. This is because signs of wear, tears, or damage on the felt surface can be easily spotted during routine checks.

It's essential to address any issues promptly, such as applying patch repairs or resealing exposed edges or overlaps. This will prevent minor problems from escalating into major issues.

The type of felt used on your shed roof can significantly impact its lifespan. Superfelt, a highly durable form of felt, has a life expectancy of up to 5 years.

However, some felts, like those reinforced with polyester, can last much longer – up to around 15 years in some cases, if installed correctly. This makes them a worthwhile investment for shed owners.

It's recommended to check the felt roof of your shed annually for leaks or signs of wear and tear. This proactive approach will help you catch any potential problems before they become major issues.

Replace your shed's felt as soon as you see signs of damage, to prevent leaks and keep your tools safe and sound.

Replacing shed roof felt can be a daunting task, but with some knowledge of common issues and mistakes, you can avoid costly repairs and compromised protection.

Making mistakes during garden shed roof felting is a common problem. It's essential to learn from these errors to ensure the job goes perfectly.

One common mistake is not checking the shed's roof for damaged or missing felt before replacing it. This can lead to a patchy and ineffective new roof.

Replacing shed roof felt can be a DIY-friendly task, but it's essential to avoid common mistakes that can lead to costly repairs and compromised protection.

Making mistakes during garden shed roof felting is a common issue, and one of the most significant errors is not checking the shed's roof structure before replacing the felt.

Incorrectly measuring the shed's roof can result in a poorly fitted felt, which can lead to leaks and other issues.

Failing to remove the old felt properly can cause it to tear or become damaged, making it difficult to install the new felt correctly.

Not applying the new felt in a smooth, even layer can lead to wrinkles and air pockets, which can compromise the shed's water resistance.

Replacing shed roof felt without considering the weather can be a recipe for disaster, as rain or snow can damage the new felt before it's fully secure.

Overlooking issues with your shed roof can lead to bigger problems down the line. It's best to strip off old, damaged felt to prevent it from causing problems to the roof boards underneath.

New layers of felt can provide fresh protection to the roof boards, potentially lasting 5+ years. However, this isn't always the best option.

Adding another layer of felt on top of the existing layer can be tempting if you're short on time, but it's not recommended. If you do choose to add another layer, make sure to use long enough nails to penetrate through the additional thickness.

Taking off the old felt first allows you to check for any structural damage, such as holes, unsteady boards, and loose nails. This gives you the opportunity to fix these issues before they worsen.