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Felting a shed roof adds an extra layer of protection against the harsh elements and weather. Installed correctly, it will also give your garden shed a neat appearance. While the process may seem tedious, it can be quite straightforward with a guide like this to follow.
Here, we’ll walk you through the steps, so let’s get started!
To start, prepare these items:
- Craft knife
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Roofing Felt
- Felt and wood nails
- Paintbrush
- Felt Adhesive
Save time and protect your shed for years to come. Our weather-resistant shed felt is designed for easy installation and maximum durability.
Are Metal Sheds Noisy When It Rains?
Step 1: Remove old shed roof tiles
- Dismantle any existing timber fascia boards and set them aside
- Remove old roofing felt using a claw hammer
- Clear remaining nails and debris from the roof surface
You should be left with a clean, clear roof surface with no nails sticking out or leftover debris.
Step 2: Measure the amount of felt you will need
Before installing the felt, measure the dimensions of the roof to determine how much you’ll need.
- Start with the width: measure from the eaves on one side, up and over the apex (if necessary), and down to the other edge
- Add 10 centimetres to account for a 5 cm overhang on each side for tucking it underneath the purlins
- Measure the roof from front to back, gable to gable
- Add 15 cm to allow for tucking the felt under the fascia boards (7.5 cm on each side)
Felt rolls may vary in width, typically around 100 cm. Most shed roofs have three lengthwise strips of felt: one on each side and one across the ridge at the centre. Allow the central strip to overlap the side strips by approximately 10 cm.
With your measurements done and overlaps included, the next step is to cut the felt into strips for installation.
Step 3: Cut the felt to size
- Cut the felt to length, allowing for the required overhang
- Use your width measurements to work out how many rolls you need
- Mark where each strip needs to be cut using your length measurements
Once your sections are cut and ready, the next step is to fit the first layer of protection onto the timber.
Step 4: Apply the new felt covering
Once you’ve cut the felt to size, roll it back up and position it on the shed roof. Start with one edge strip and unroll it across the roof until it extends about 5 cm past the eaves.
- Mark a light pencil line along the roof to guide placement
- Unroll the felt in a straight line
- Fix it with nails at 10 cm intervals along the roof length
- Pull the felt tight after securing the inner side so it lies flat
- Nail along the eaves, spacing nails at around 30 cm apart
After the side panels are fixed, seal the top of the roof to make it fully watertight.
Step 5: Felt in the middle
After securing the side panels, place the final felt strip over the ridge at the apex so it overlaps both side strips.
- Apply felt adhesive to the top edges of the two outer strips where the ridge strip will sit
- Use a paintbrush to spread the adhesive evenly along the overlap area
- Lay the ridge strip in place, making sure it covers both sides
- Secure the edges where it overlaps using nails at 5 cm intervals
The main body of the roof is now covered. The final step is to neaten up the edges and corners for a clean finish.
Step 6: Tidy the corners of the overhangs
Fold the excess felt at each corner of the roof outwards to form a flap, then fold it back along the eaves and nail it into place.
- Check where the overhang creases at the front and back of the apex
- Make a small cut at the centre point so the felt sits flat
- Nail each side into the timber
- Fold the remaining section over and secure it in place
Along the gables, nail the overhang down at 10 cm intervals. Once it’s secured, re-attach the fascia boards to cover the folded felt at the edges. Use wood nails to fix everything in place, then trim any excess material.
And you’re done. Congratulations on successfully installing your new shed roof felt! It also helps to know how to fix a shed roof when needed.
Is your shed’s structure beyond a quick felt repair? In some cases, replacing the shed can be more cost-effective than repeated fixes to protect your garden gear long-term. Browse our range of wooden shed kits, available in apex and pent designs:
FAQ
Can I lay new felt directly over the old layer?
We don’t recommend it, even though it can be tempting to skip the first step. This is because it can trap moisture between the layers, leading to rapid rotting of the wooden roof boards.
Stripping it back, on the other hand, lets you inspect the timber for any soft spots or damage before the new felt goes on.
Why is my new felt looking bubbly or wrinkled?
It can happen if the felt was rolled too tightly during storage or wasn’t pulled tight enough during installation. After a few days of sunshine, the heat helps soften the bitumen, and the felt usually settles and flattens out on its own.
Do I need to use felt adhesive on my shed roof?
Yes, especially on the ridge part or apex. While nails hold the felt to the wood, the adhesive creates a watertight bond between the layers of felt where they overlap. Without it, wind-driven rain can get under the joints and cause leaks, even if the felt is new.
