Felt Roofing

What is felt roofing all about?

When homeowners across Yorkshire come to consider their options for safe and reliable roofing materials for their flat roof, one of the most likely contenders to come to mind is felt. Provided that it is properly installed, this can be a very dependable type of roofing.

However, before we delve deeper into what it means to invest in felt roofing, it is instructive to establish a good understanding of what felt roofing is.

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What is felt roofing?

This roofing material is widely, but not exclusively installed on flat roofs, as can be found on garden sheds, garages and extensions.

It consists of two or three layers of felt sheet forming a dense and impenetrable barrier. It is also customarily coated with waterproof materials, such as tar, to prevent the ingress of moisture. Such multiple layering is vital to ensuring that the roof is completely waterproof.

The benefits of felt

  • It is a proven roofing material, having been one of the most common choices for many years
  • It is applicable to any size of job, from small to large
  • It is highly durable, offering strong water and wind resistance
  • It can be applied to any type of surface, whether flat, pitched or curved.
  • It can be applied in various ways

The disadvantages of felt

  • It doesn’t usually perform very well when exposed to UV light or high temperatures
  • It requires constant checking and maintenance
  • It can only be installed by skilled professionals
  • It is a heavy roofing material that attracts high transport costs
  • It has a limited lifespan and is difficult to recycle

How is felt roofing installed?

There are two methods or techniques by which felt roofs can be fitted:

Hot works

  • The ‘pour and roll’ technique may be used, involving the pouring of hot bitumen as the felt is unrolled along the roof. This ensures that voids are filled and when cooled, the bitumen acts as an adhesive that bonds and seals the layers.
  • Alternatively, the felt roofing can be ‘torched on’, a technique that involves heating the felt with a gas torch so that no bonding is required. In general, this technique can be used for both small and medium-sized roofs, as well as in flat roof repairing.

Cold works

  • Cold adhesive can be applied evenly onto the roof and the felt unrolled into position. This method is obviously easy and safe compared to the hot works technique.
  • Self-adhesive membranes can also be placed in the correct position on the roof and then peeled off the release paper. However, this is not suitable for uneven surfaces or application in cold conditions.

Need help? Call us today: 01423 275 100

Could a new felt roof be the right solution for your property in Harrogate, York, Leeds or elsewhere in Yorkshire? Get in touch with the Findley Roofing & Building team today via our closest office to your home, and we’ll outline your options and provide a competitive quote, all completely free.

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