DIY Guide: How to Attach Roof Felt to Your Shed for Lasting Protection
Building a shed is a rewarding project, but ensuring its longevity and weather resistance is crucial. One of the most important steps in protecting your shed from the elements is installing roof felt, also known as underlayment. This waterproof barrier sits beneath your shingles or other roofing material and acts as a secondary defense against rain, snow, and ice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of attaching roof felt to your shed, step-by-step, ensuring a durable and weatherproof structure.
Why is Roof Felt Necessary for Your Shed?
Before diving into the installation process, let’s understand why roof felt is so vital:
* **Waterproofing:** Roof felt provides a crucial layer of waterproofing, preventing water from seeping through gaps in your shingles or roofing material. This is especially important during heavy rain or snowstorms.
* **Protection from Ice Dams:** In colder climates, ice dams can form along the eaves of a roof. Roof felt helps prevent water from backing up under the shingles and causing leaks.
* **Extends Roof Lifespan:** By protecting the underlying roof deck from moisture, roof felt helps prevent rot and decay, extending the lifespan of your entire roofing system.
* **Temporary Protection:** If you’re not immediately installing shingles after building your shed, roof felt can provide temporary protection from the elements.
* **Improved Fire Resistance:** Some types of roof felt offer added fire resistance, providing an extra layer of safety.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Gathering the necessary tools and materials before you begin will make the project run smoother and more efficiently.
* **Roof Felt:** Choose the appropriate type and weight of roof felt for your climate and roofing material. Common options include:
* **15 lb. Felt:** A lighter, more economical option suitable for sheds in moderate climates.
* **30 lb. Felt:** A heavier, more durable option that provides better protection in harsher climates. Offers better tear resistance.
* **Synthetic Underlayment:** A more expensive but highly durable and lightweight option that offers superior waterproofing and tear resistance. Easier to install than traditional felt.
* **Utility Knife:** For cutting the roof felt to size. Ensure the blade is sharp for clean cuts.
* **Measuring Tape:** To accurately measure and cut the roof felt.
* **Hammer or Staple Gun:** To secure the roof felt to the roof deck. A staple gun is generally faster and more efficient.
* **Roofing Nails or Staples:** Use roofing nails or staples specifically designed for roofing applications. They have a wider head to prevent them from pulling through the felt.
* **Chalk Line:** To create straight lines for overlapping the felt.
* **Safety Glasses:** To protect your eyes from debris.
* **Work Gloves:** To protect your hands.
* **Ladder:** A sturdy ladder to safely access the roof of your shed.
* **Roofing Boots (Optional):** Roofing boots provide better traction and grip on sloped surfaces.
* **Broom or Brush:** To clean the roof deck before installing the felt.
Step-by-Step Guide to Attaching Roof Felt
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a proper and long-lasting roof felt installation:
**1. Prepare the Roof Deck:**
* **Clean the Surface:** Use a broom or brush to thoroughly clean the roof deck. Remove any debris, dirt, loose nails, or staples. A clean surface will ensure proper adhesion of the roof felt.
* **Inspect for Damage:** Carefully inspect the roof deck for any signs of damage, such as rot or soft spots. Repair or replace any damaged sections before proceeding. A solid, sound roof deck is essential for a stable and waterproof roof.
* **Ensure Dryness:** Make sure the roof deck is completely dry before installing the roof felt. Moisture trapped underneath the felt can lead to mold growth and decay.
**2. Measure and Cut the First Course:**
* **Start at the Eaves:** Begin installing the roof felt at the eaves (the lower edge of the roof). This ensures that water will run off the roof and not underneath the felt.
* **Measure the Width:** Measure the width of the roof along the eaves. This will determine the length of your first piece of roof felt.
* **Cut the Felt:** Using a utility knife and a straight edge, cut the roof felt to the required length. Be precise with your cuts to ensure a neat and professional finish.
**3. Install the First Course:**
* **Align the Felt:** Carefully align the bottom edge of the roof felt with the eaves of the roof. Allow a slight overhang (about 1-2 inches) beyond the edge of the roof deck. This will help prevent water from running back under the eaves.
* **Secure the Felt:** Using roofing nails or staples, secure the roof felt to the roof deck. Start at one end and work your way across, placing fasteners every 6-12 inches along the bottom edge. Ensure the fasteners are driven in straight and flush with the surface of the felt. Avoid overdriving them, as this can tear the felt.
* **Check for Wrinkles:** As you secure the felt, make sure it is lying flat and smooth, without any wrinkles or bubbles. Wrinkles can create weak spots and allow water to accumulate.
**4. Install Subsequent Courses, Overlapping Properly:**
* **Determine Overlap:** The amount of overlap required will depend on the type and weight of roof felt you are using. Typically, a 2-4 inch overlap is recommended for 15 lb. felt, and a 4-6 inch overlap is recommended for 30 lb. felt. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for specific recommendations.
* **Mark the Overlap:** Use a chalk line to mark the overlap line on the first course of felt. This will ensure a consistent and accurate overlap for each subsequent course.
* **Align and Secure:** Align the bottom edge of the next course of felt with the chalk line, ensuring the correct overlap. Secure the felt to the roof deck with roofing nails or staples, following the same pattern as the first course. Be sure to fasten through both layers of felt in the overlap area to create a secure seal.
* **Continue Up the Roof:** Continue installing subsequent courses of felt, working your way up the roof towards the ridge. Maintain the correct overlap and ensure the felt is lying flat and smooth.
**5. Handle the Ridge:**
* **Overlap at the Ridge:** When you reach the ridge (the peak of the roof), overlap the felt over the ridge by at least 6 inches on each side. This will provide extra protection against water penetration at this vulnerable area.
* **Secure the Ridge:** Secure the felt to the roof deck along the ridge with roofing nails or staples, ensuring a tight and waterproof seal.
**6. Around Vents and Other Penetrations:**
* **Careful Cutting:** When you encounter vents, chimneys, or other roof penetrations, carefully cut the felt to fit around them. Leave a small gap (about 1/2 inch) between the felt and the penetration to allow for expansion and contraction.
* **Flashing is Key:** Use appropriate flashing around all penetrations to create a watertight seal. Flashing is typically made of metal and is designed to direct water away from the penetration.
* **Sealant (Optional):** Consider using a roofing sealant around the edges of the felt where it meets the flashing for added protection.
**7. Inspect and Correct:**
* **Thorough Inspection:** Once you have completed the installation, thoroughly inspect the entire roof for any gaps, wrinkles, or loose fasteners.
* **Correct any Issues:** Correct any issues you find immediately. Replace any damaged sections of felt, tighten loose fasteners, and seal any gaps with roofing sealant.
Tips for a Successful Roof Felt Installation
* **Work on a Calm Day:** Avoid installing roof felt on windy days, as the wind can make it difficult to handle and secure the felt.
* **Use a Buddy:** Having a helper can make the job easier and safer, especially when handling large rolls of felt.
* **Be Careful on the Roof:** Take extra precautions when working on a roof. Use a sturdy ladder, wear roofing boots (if possible), and be aware of your surroundings.
* **Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions:** Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific type of roof felt you are using. They may have specific recommendations for overlap, fastening, and other installation details.
* **Store Felt Properly:** Store rolls of roof felt in a dry, sheltered area to prevent them from getting wet or damaged.
* **Consider Synthetic Underlayment:** While more expensive upfront, synthetic underlayment offers superior performance, is easier to install due to its lighter weight, and provides better longevity. It’s a worthy investment for long-term shed protection.
Choosing the Right Roof Felt
The type of roof felt you choose will impact the overall performance and lifespan of your shed roof. Here’s a breakdown of the common types and their considerations:
* **15 lb. Asphalt-Saturated Felt:** This is the most economical option. It’s a good choice for small sheds in climates with mild weather conditions. However, it’s less durable and more prone to tearing than heavier options. Its thinner nature means it offers less waterproofing protection.
* **30 lb. Asphalt-Saturated Felt:** This is a heavier and more durable option than 15 lb. felt. It provides better protection against wind, rain, and ice. It’s a good choice for sheds in climates with moderate to severe weather conditions. It is also more tear-resistant than the 15lb felt.
* **Synthetic Underlayment:** This is the most expensive option, but it offers the best performance and longevity. Synthetic underlayment is typically made from polypropylene or polyethylene and is much stronger, lighter, and more water-resistant than asphalt-saturated felt. It’s a good choice for sheds in any climate, especially those with harsh weather conditions. It often comes in wider rolls, making installation faster. It’s also more resistant to UV degradation if left exposed for a short period before shingle installation.
**Factors to Consider When Choosing:**
* **Climate:** Consider the average rainfall, snowfall, and wind conditions in your area.
* **Budget:** Roof felt prices vary widely depending on the type and weight.
* **Roofing Material:** Choose a roof felt that is compatible with your chosen roofing material (shingles, metal roofing, etc.). Some roofing materials require specific types of underlayment.
* **Shed Size and Complexity:** Larger and more complex sheds may benefit from a more durable and water-resistant underlayment.
* **Long-Term Cost:** While synthetic underlayment is more expensive upfront, its longer lifespan can make it a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Tearing:** If the felt tears while installing, patch it with another piece of felt, overlapping the tear by at least 6 inches in all directions. Secure the patch with roofing nails or staples.
* **Wrinkles:** If you encounter wrinkles, try to smooth them out as you install the felt. If they persist, you may need to cut the felt and overlap it to eliminate the wrinkle.
* **Leaks:** If you discover a leak after installing the roof felt, locate the source of the leak and repair it immediately. This may involve patching the felt, sealing gaps, or replacing damaged sections.
* **Fasteners Pulling Through:** If the fasteners are pulling through the felt, try using larger fasteners or adding more fasteners to distribute the load.
Maintaining Your Roof Felt
While roof felt is designed to be a durable and long-lasting material, it’s important to perform regular maintenance to ensure its continued performance.
* **Annual Inspection:** Inspect your roof at least once a year for any signs of damage, such as tears, wrinkles, or loose fasteners.
* **Clear Debris:** Remove any debris, such as leaves, branches, or moss, from the roof to prevent moisture buildup and decay.
* **Repair Damage Promptly:** Repair any damage to the roof felt immediately to prevent leaks and further damage to the underlying structure.
* **Consider Professional Inspection:** If you are uncomfortable inspecting your roof yourself, consider hiring a professional roofer to perform an inspection.
By following these steps and tips, you can successfully attach roof felt to your shed and protect it from the elements for years to come. A properly installed roof felt underlayment is a crucial investment in the longevity and durability of your shed. Good luck with your DIY project!