How Roofing Felt Works

Roofing felt also known as tar paper serves as both an extra layer of protection between the shingles and the plywood and as a temporary moisture barrier until all the shingles are in place.

How roofing felt works.

A new roof can add a lot to your house s worth. Asphalt saturated heavy duty roofing felt is available in 15 and 30 pound weights. Start rolling the first layer of felt out from the bottom of one side of the roof. Roofing shingles and materials plus factory certified roofers including ratings from real homeowners from north america s largest roofing manufacturer.

Roofing felt is comprised of a base made from natural materials such as wood cellulose or synthetic ones such as fiberglass or polyester and then coated or saturated with a protective coating such as bitumen asphalt which repels water but still allows the product to breathe. Also known as tar paper roofing felt originated in finland in the 1870 s as a waterproofing underlayment for roofs. Start at the bottom of the roofline and work up so any water that gets through the roofing material will shed down the tar paper and will not go under it. Today glass fiber or polyester fabric may be used instead of paper.

Why use roofing felt paper. First paper was impregnated with coal tar. Most pros use this line to begin shingling working left and right toward the rakes. Istockphoto jfc215 when you think of a metal roof you might have an image of a dilapidated old lean to with a corrugated tin roof.

Roofing felt commonly called tar paper is an important component of any roofing system. Later asphalt was used in the manufacture of roofing felt. As you roll it out make sure that it remains flat. Laying the felt the roofing felt should be applied in layers that overlap.

Begin at the bottom right or bottom left of the roof. As you work the paper can be tacked down in the center so it won t blow away. Using a roll of felt coverage or several rolls provides the roof with additional waterproofing and protects the wood sheathing of a roof until the installation of shingles is finished. Today s metal roofs however are a far cry from that image.

Afterward roll the felt away from you lengthwise along the lower edge about 10 feet 120 in. The felt keeps the roof deck dry before shingles go on protects against wind driven rain as shingles fail and increases fire resistance. How roofing materials work. Next find the center of the roof at the top and the eave then snap a vertical chalk line.