Roofing Felt Paper

When it comes to roofing, you might overlook the importance of roofing felt paper, but this unsung hero plays a crucial role in protecting your home. Acting as a barrier between your shingles and the roof deck, it safeguards against moisture, leaks, and other potential damage. Understanding its benefits can save you from costly repairs down the line.

You might be surprised to learn that roofing felt paper is not only affordable but also easy to install. Typically priced between $15 to $30 per roll, depending on the material and brand, it offers excellent value for the protection it provides. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or hiring a professional, knowing the ins and outs of roofing felt paper can help you make informed decisions for your project.

Overview of Roofing Felt Paper

Roofing felt paper serves as a vital component in protecting roofs from moisture and damage. Understanding its definition, purpose, and various types helps you make informed decisions in your roofing projects.

Definition and Purpose

• Definition: Roofing felt paper, also known as underlayment, consists of a protective layer placed between the roof deck and roofing shingles. This material may originate from natural resources like wood cellulose or synthetic sources such as fiberglass and polyester, often coated with a protective material, mainly bitumen (asphalt)[1][3][4].
• Purpose: Roofing felt paper primarily acts as a moisture barrier, safeguarding the roof deck and interior spaces from water intrusion, leaks, and potential damage from rot and mold. Its protective nature enhances the overall durability and longevity of your roofing system.

• Asphalt-Impregnated Felt: This traditional type utilizes natural fibers and is saturated with asphalt. It's affordable, making it a popular choice for many roofing projects.
• Synthetic Felt: Composed of polymers, synthetic felt offers superior durability and is resistant to tearing. Its lightweight nature facilitates easier installation, and it often provides better moisture resistance compared to asphalt-impregnated felt.
• Heavy-Duty Felt: Designed for high-performance applications, heavy-duty felt provides added thickness and strength. This option is ideal for regions prone to severe weather conditions, ensuring enhanced protection.

By understanding the definition, purpose, and types of roofing felt paper, you can select the best option for your roofing needs, ensuring optimal protection for your home.

Benefits of Using Roofing Felt Paper

Roofing felt paper plays a vital role in enhancing the protection and longevity of your roof. It offers several significant benefits that contribute to a robust roofing system.

Weather Resistance

Roofing felt paper provides exceptional weather resistance. It acts as a barrier against water, preventing moisture from penetrating the roof deck during heavy rains, storms, and snow. With a water-repellency feature, roofing felt guards against moisture damage, leaks, rot, and mold, ensuring your roof remains intact and functional in adverse weather conditions. In the event of shingle loss or damage, felt paper continues to protect the roof deck, maintaining its integrity until repairs occur.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using roofing felt paper presents a cost-effective solution for homeowners. The investment in felt paper ranges from $15 to $30 per roll, a reasonable price considering the extensive protection it provides against future repair costs. By mitigating moisture-related issues and prolonging the lifespan of the roofing system, the use of felt paper reduces overall maintenance expenses, giving you peace of mind while maximizing the value of your roofing project.

Installation Process

Installing roofing felt paper requires careful planning and execution. Adhering to the correct steps ensures optimal performance and protection for your roof.

Tools Needed

• Roofing Felt Paper: Select either asphalt-impregnated or synthetic felt based on your project requirements.
• Staples or Nails: Use staples or nails with plastic washer heads for a secure hold.
• Hammer or Stapler: Required for securing the felt to the roof deck.
• Chalk Line: Helps maintain straight lines during installation.
• Utility Knife: Necessary for cutting the felt to the appropriate lengths.
• Ladder: Provides safe access to the roof.
• Safety Gear: Includes gloves and safety goggles for protection.

1. Ensure Cleanliness: Confirm the roof decking is clean and dry by removing stray nails, old felt, or debris. Address any rotten decking before proceeding.
2. Install Drip Edges: Position drip edges on the eaves, valley liners, and all flashing before laying the roofing felt. This step ensures proper water drainage.
3. Starting at the Bottom: Begin installation at the bottom corner of the roof. Lay the first roll of roofing felt along the bottom edge, overlapping the drip edge. Secure it with staples or nails spaced 4-8 inches apart.
4. Rolling Out the Felt: Roll out the felt in sections, typically 10 feet at a time. Secure it with fasteners while leaving the top portion free to prevent wrinkles. Use a chalk line to guide alignment.
5. Overlapping: Overlap the end of each felt roll by 3-5 inches when starting a new roll. This overlap prevents water intrusion and enhances moisture resistance.

Following these steps ensures effective installation of roofing felt paper, adding a vital layer of protection to your roof system.

Common Issues and Challenges

Roofing felt paper faces several common issues that can undermine its effectiveness. Understanding these challenges helps you address them proactively during your roofing projects.

Moisture Retention

Moisture retention significantly impacts the performance of roofing felt paper, especially asphalt-based versions.

• Absorption and Swelling: The removal of rags in felt manufacturing around 1945 resulted in increased absorption capability. This causes the felt to swell and wrinkle under shingles, creating a wavy roof appearance.
• Degradation: Traditional roofing felt degrades rapidly when exposed to moisture. This degradation is pronounced if the felt is left exposed to adverse weather.
• Impact on Roof Deck: Moisture can seep through the underlayment, damaging the roof deck beneath. Using high-quality felt that meets standards like ASTM D4869 or D226 reduces the risk of moisture-related issues.

Installation Mistakes

Mistakes during installation can lead to significant problems with roofing felt paper.

• Inadequate Overlapping: Overlapping is crucial for preventing water intrusion. Ensure overlaps are at least 6 inches to maximize coverage.
• Improperfastening: Using too few fasteners can make felt prone to movement. Secure the felt with the appropriate number of staples or nails to keep it in place.
• Ignoring Conditions: Installing felt paper in wet conditions compromises its adherence and integrity. Always ensure the roof deck is dry before installation for optimal results.

Recognizing these issues helps maintain the effectiveness of roofing felt paper, enhancing the overall durability of your roofing system.

Conclusion

Investing in roofing felt paper is a smart choice for protecting your home. Its ability to act as a moisture barrier greatly enhances the durability of your roofing system. By understanding the different types and installation techniques, you can ensure maximum effectiveness and longevity.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or hiring professionals, knowing the ins and outs of roofing felt will help you make informed decisions. This not only saves you money in the long run but also provides peace of mind. Remember to choose high-quality materials and follow proper installation practices to get the best results. Your roof deserves the best protection, and roofing felt paper is a crucial component in achieving that.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is roofing felt paper?

Roofing felt paper is a protective layer installed between the roof deck and roofing shingles. Made from natural or synthetic materials and often coated with bitumen, it acts as a moisture barrier. This protects your roof deck and interior from water intrusion, leaks, and damage from rot and mold, enhancing the longevity of your roofing system.

What are the benefits of using roofing felt paper?

Roofing felt paper provides excellent weather resistance, protecting the roof deck from moisture during adverse conditions. It mitigates moisture-related issues, prolonging the lifespan of the roofing system and reducing maintenance costs. Its affordability and ease of installation make it an effective choice for both DIYers and professionals.

How much does roofing felt paper cost?

The cost of roofing felt paper typically ranges from $15 to $30 per roll, depending on the type and quality. This affordable price makes it a cost-effective way to enhance roof protection and longevity.

What tools do I need for installing roofing felt paper?

Essential tools for installing roofing felt paper include roofing felt, staples or nails, a hammer or stapler, a chalk line, a utility knife, a ladder, and safety gear. These tools help ensure a successful installation process for your roofing project.

What are common challenges with roofing felt paper?

Common challenges include moisture retention and installation mistakes, which can lead to a wavy roof appearance or rapid degradation of the felt. To avoid these issues, use high-quality felt that meets industry standards and ensure proper installation techniques are followed.

How do I install roofing felt paper correctly?

Begin the installation by ensuring the roof decking is clean and dry. Install drip edges for water drainage, start at the bottom corner, and overlap the ends of each roll to prevent water intrusion. Following these steps ensures effective installation and optimal protection for your roofing system.