How to felt a shed roof

Is your garden shed looking a bit old, or tired and leaking?

HG Supplies KNOW HOW Step by Step Guide 

Tools you’ll need

First things first – let’s gather our tools. In addition to new shed roof felt see our selection you’re going to need the following:

✅ Step ladder
✅ Tape measure
✅ Pencil or marker
✅ Claw hammer
✅ Utility knife
✅ Fascia boards
✅ Felt nails
✅ Straight piece of timber

Step 1: Remove the fascia boards and old shed roofing felt

Using your claw hammer, carefully remove the old fascia boards and examine them. If they’re not rotten, you can reuse them later – otherwise, you’ll have to replace them with new ones.

Next:

Remove the old felt and the old nails keeping it in place with your hammer. It’s a good idea to take the opportunity to hammer down any uneven boards.

Step 2: Measure and cut the felt

Measure each strip of felt so that it overhangs by 50mm at the eaves and by 75mm at the gable ends. Then, place the straight piece of timber and use your pencil or marker to draw a line you’ll cut alongside.

Remember – always measure twice and cut once!

Depending on the size of your shed roof, you’re going to need either two or three pieces of felt – we recommend using three pieces to ensure decent roofing felt overlap.

Step 3: Apply the roofing felt for the shed

Place the felt on either side of the roof and press it down firmly so it’s completely flat. Nail it to the roof at 100mm intervals along the length of the roof starting just below the apex and making your way down.

Once you’ve done the side sections, apply the third piece of felt to the ridge. This piece should be 300mm wide so that it extends around 150mm on each side.

Some people wonder:

Do you need adhesive for shed felt?

You do, for the top.

So, go ahead and apply roof felt adhesive to this section before nailing it at regular 50mm intervals.

Step 4: Take care of the overhangs

Fold down the overhang at each side and nail it into place. Use your utility knife to cut a slit in the overhang at the top of the roof, fold it down, and nail it into place at 100mm intervals along the gable.

You’re almost there!

Step 5: Re-attach the fascia boards

Hammer the fascia boards back into place over the folded felt. If any felt is still showing afterwards, you can cut it away with your utility knife, so the shed looks neat and tidy.

Finally, complete the overhand along the sides of the shed roof by tucking the felt up and under and securely nailing it in place.

And that’s it – your shed is as good as new! Take a step back and admire your new shed roof.