When it comes to maintaining your pent shed, the roof is arguably the most important part of the structure. A well-felted roof not only provides vital protection from the elements but also extends the life of your shed. Whether you're building a new shed or updating an old one, felt roofing is a simple, cost-effective solution that delivers reliable, long-lasting protection. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to install a felt roof on a pent shed, ensuring that your shed stays dry, secure, and weatherproof for years to come.
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Why Felt Roofing is Perfect for Pent Sheds
Felt roofing is an excellent choice for pent shed roofs for several reasons:
- Affordable: Felt roofing is one of the most budget-friendly options available, especially when compared to tiles, shingles, or metal roofing.
- Durable: When installed properly, felt roofing can last 10-20 years, offering excellent protection against rain, snow, and UV rays.
- Waterproof: Felt creates a waterproof barrier, keeping your shed dry and preventing issues like mold and rot.
- Easy to Install: You don’t need to be a professional roofer to install felt roofing. With the right tools and instructions, anyone can do it.
- Low Maintenance: Once installed, felt roofs are easy to maintain and require minimal upkeep.
Materials You’ll Need for the Job:
Before you start, make sure you have the following tools and materials:
- Roofing felt (bitumen or mineral felt)
- Roofing nails or tacks (20-30mm long)
- Roofing adhesive or cement (optional, but recommended for extra security)
- Measuring tape
- Scissors or utility knife
- Hammer or roofing hammer
- Ladder (if your shed is high)
- Ridge cap felt (for roofs with a ridge)
- Protective gloves (to protect your hands while working)
Step-by-Step Guide to Felt Your Pent Shed Roof:
Step 1: Prepare the Roof Surface
The first step is to prepare the roof. Start by removing any old roofing material, nails, or debris. You want a clean, dry surface for the new felt to adhere to. If there are any cracks, gaps, or weak spots, repair them before continuing.
Pro Tip: If your shed roof is made of untreated wood, consider applying a primer to help the felt adhere better and prolong its lifespan.
Step 2: Measure and Cut the Felt
Measure the length and width of your roof and add an extra 5 cm (2 inches) around each side to allow for the overhang. Roll out the roofing felt on the ground and cut it to the required size with a utility knife or scissors.
Pro Tip: If your roof is large or requires multiple sheets of felt, ensure each piece overlaps the next by about 5 cm (2 inches). This overlap will prevent leaks and allow water to flow off the roof properly.
Step 3: Apply Adhesive (Optional)
Some roofing felts come with self-adhesive backing, but applying roofing adhesive or cement is a good idea to provide extra security and prevent the felt from shifting over time. Spread the adhesive evenly over the surface of the roof using a brush, ensuring full coverage.
Pro Tip: If you live in a windy area, the adhesive will help prevent the felt from being blown off during storms.
Step 4: Lay the Felt on the Roof
Starting at the eaves (bottom edge of the roof), unroll the roofing felt and carefully position it on the roof, leaving a small overhang to help water run off. Smooth the felt down as you go to avoid air pockets or wrinkles.
If you’re using multiple sheets of felt, ensure they overlap by at least 5 cm (2 inches) to prevent water from seeping through.
Pro Tip: Take your time to align the felt straight across the roof. A misaligned roof can cause problems down the road, so it’s important to ensure it lays flat and secure.
Step 5: Secure the Felt
Now it’s time to secure the felt. Use roofing nails or tacks to fasten the felt to the roof, spacing them about 3-4 inches apart along the edges. You may also want to add nails down the center of each sheet of felt for extra security.
Pro Tip: Be careful not to drive the nails too deeply into the felt—this can cause tears or holes. Use a hammer or rubber mallet to tap the nails in gently.
Step 6: Trim the Excess Felt
After securing the felt, trim any excess around the edges using a utility knife or scissors. Be sure to leave an overhang on all sides to allow water to run off the roof and prevent it from soaking into the walls.
Pro Tip: Use a sharp knife for a clean cut. This will ensure that your roof has a neat and professional finish.
Step 7: Install the Ridge Cap (If Applicable)
If your pent shed roof has a ridge (where the two slopes meet), you’ll need to install a ridge cap to seal the peak. You can either use pre-made ridge cap felt or simply fold a strip of felt over the ridge and secure it with nails.
This is an important step because it prevents water from leaking into the top of the roof.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure, a fold of felt across the ridge is a simple and effective way to seal the top of the roof.
Step 8: Final Inspection
Once the felt is in place, step back and inspect the roof. Check for any loose spots or areas where the felt hasn’t been secured properly. If you see any holes, tears, or loose edges, patch them with roofing cement or another piece of felt.
Pro Tip: A thorough inspection after installation is crucial to ensure your roof is completely waterproof and secure.
Maintaining Your Felt Roof
Felt roofing requires very little maintenance, but regular inspections will help ensure its longevity. After storms or heavy rain, take a look at the roof to check for damage. Repair any holes or loose areas immediately to prevent leaks.
Pro Tip: Keeping gutters and downpipes clear will help prevent water from pooling on the roof, which could lead to damage over time.
Conclusion
Felt roofing is a fantastic option for protecting your pent shed roof from the elements. It’s affordable, easy to install, and requires minimal maintenance. With the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently install a felt roof that will keep your shed dry and secure for many years.
So, gather your materials, follow these steps, and enjoy the satisfaction of completing this rewarding DIY project! Your pent shed roof will be ready to handle anything the weather throws its way.
