Installing Roofing Felt With Staples

Starting a roof with tarpaper felt.

Installing roofing felt with staples. Underlayment also known as roofing felt or tar paper is a layer of protection that roofers install between your roofing deck and the roofing shingles or tiles. Ladder metal drip edge flashing hammer galvanized nails roofing felt staple gun staples utility knife. Before applying roofing you ll need to cover the sheathing with roofing felt also often called tar paper most local codes call for using 30 pound felt. Some roofers prefer to attach felt underlayment with 1 inch roofing nails or special nails with plastic washers but most codes allow staples which are easier to drive.

Installing the roofing felt does take care but can go very quickly. Start by laying asphalt felt or other underlayment over the roof. Overlap each row at least 3 to 4 inches. If you live in an area with inclement weather you should consider using a special ice and water protector.

Start the roof felt at one bottom corner of the roof. Unroll your felt onto a flat surface. For many years trade organizations like the national roofing contractors association nrca have recommended the use of underlayments with tile roof systems. Tack it in place at the corner with the end flush with the end of the roof and the bottom edge of the roll right along the bottom of the roof.

Setting the roll and then nailing off. This video walks through the very basic steps for installing tarpaper felt. Mark the same at the other end of the roll. Using your staple gun secure the felt to the roof.

What you ll need to install roofing felt. These thick layers of roofing felt are installed by heating the back of the felt with a butane torch and then carefully applying it to the roof.